Piqua man whose conviction was overturned pleads to new charge

TROY — A Piqua man accused of attempting to steal a woman’s car in the parking lot of the Piqua Walmart in 2015, but who had his conviction later overturned, pleaded guilty today to a new indictment in the case.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Piqua man faces new charge in connection to attempted Walmart carjacking

Robert Riddle, 38, was sentenced today in Miami County Common Pleas Court to six years in prison.

TRENDING: Victim killed in Kettering house explosion identified

Riddle pleaded guilty in October 2015 to felony aggravated robbery and breaking and entering in an Aug. 29, 2015, incident. Piqua police said he fled the parking lot on foot after the woman screamed and fought as he attempted a carjacking. The gun later was found to be a fake, police said. Riddle was found at his trailer following a two-hour manhunt. The breaking and entering charge came from a break-in at a nearby property during the search.

Riddle initially was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The 2nd District Court of Appeals overturned the aggravated robbery conviction earlier this year. The court wrote that the deadly weapon notation of the charge was negated by the statement of facts of what occurred during the robbery and that the lawyer for Riddle gave him ineffective assistance in advising him to plead guilty.

Visiting Judge Timothy Campbell of Greene County heard Riddle's guilty plea. A visiting judge was assigned because the victim was related to a court employee.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to recommend six years in prison. Riddle could have received up to eight years.

Riddle already served 12 months ordered on the breaking and entering charge and remained in prison on a sentence ordered in Shelby County on another case.