“It was absolutely and unequivocally not about politics,” said Matt Baker, Senator Rand Paul’s attorney, after Paul’s neighbor allegedly assaulted him. As a result of the attack, the prominent Republican senator suffered six broken ribs and a bruised lung. The suspect, a physician named Rene Boucher, has little discernible motive and has pleaded not guilty, although significant tensions between the two have been noted.

While officials do not know Boucher’s exact motive, the two neighbors have been seen quarreling over lawn maintenance issues in the past. Additionally, Paul’s attorney has absolutely emphasized that the dispute was a personal fight between two neighbors, despite the pair having not spoken in years before the attack. Federal and state authorities have become involved in the investigation.

Discussion of the attack on this outspoken Senator, along with theories about political motivations, have taken the media by storm. These attempts to explain the attack are supported by the opposing political views between those of Boucher and Senator Paul, the involvement of federal and state authorities, and the secrecy demonstrated by Paul’s chief strategist’s through his refusal to respond to “further questioning.”

Since the attack, Senator Paul has tweeted articles disputing the “landscape argument” theory without commenting, leading to more mystery about the bizarre event.

Sources: The Hill, Washington Post, Politico, USA Today, CNN

Photo: Flickr (License)