Riddle v. Commonwealth

CLAYTON, Justice.

James Riddle was tried in the Powell Circuit Court for the assault of Betty Coyle. During the course of the trial Jackie Riffe, a prosecution witness, testified that the assailant, whom he identified as movant, did not have any physical disability. On direct examination of movant, defense counsel attempted to discredit Riffe’s identification by showing that movant did have a physical disability, an amputated finger on his left hand. On cross-examination the prosecutor, over objection, elicited testimony from movant that the amputation resulted from a gunshot wound he had…