Rand Paul supporter appearing in court on assault charges

Brett Michael Dykes
·National Affairs Reporter

Tim Profitt, the Rand Paul supporter whom some have dubbed the "Kentucky Head-Stomper" after a left-wing activist was physically subdued outside a campaign rally, is appearing in a Kentucky court Tuesday to defend himself against fourth-degree assault charges.

Defense lawyer Michael Dean said that Profitt was just "doing at the time what he thought was necessary" when he stepped on the head and neck of Lauren Valle last month. If found guilty, Profitt -- the one-time Bourbon County coordinator for Paul's campaign -- could face up to a year in jail.