Riddle loses appeal over assault, gun convictions

DETROIT (AP) -- The Michigan appeals court has upheld the convictions of Sam Riddle, a Detroit political consultant who pulled out a shotgun when his companion found him in bed with another woman. The appeals court said last Wednesday that a rational person encountering Riddle would have believed his conduct was hostile. Riddle was convicted of felonious assault and a gun crime last year. His companion at the time, Mary Waters, called police after discovering him in bed with another woman. Riddle pulled out a shotgun and racked it, although Waters testified that she didn't believe the gun was loaded. The appeals court says a lack of fear doesn't erase an assault. Riddle's two-year prison sentence is being served at the same time as his 37-month federal sentence for corruption. Published: Mon, Nov 28, 2011