The father-in-law of the incumbent Bledsoe County road supervisor is charged with aiming a rifle at the current Bledsoe County mayor and calling him "a liar" and an "S.O.B.," according to a court affidavit.
According to the affidavit filed by County Mayor Gregg Ridley on May 26, Riley Frady, the father-in-law of Bledsoe County Road Superintendent Robby Roberson, came to the Bradley Wyatt Convenience Center while Ridley was there delivering supplies on May 25. The affidavit charges Frady with reckless endangerment.
"While Mr. Ridley was there, Riley Frady called him a 'S.O.B.' from his truck," the affidavit states. "They then exchanged a few words when Mr. Frady reached over and got his rifle out of the seat and pointed out of the window at Mr. Ridley."
Frady allegedly repeated the remark to Ridley, adding that Ridley was "a liar" responsible for his son-in-law's Republican primary election loss in May, and when Ridley reached for his cellphone Frady drove away, the affidavit states.
Frady's son-in-law, Roberson, lost the May 3 primary for road superintendent to challenger Tobe Smith 1,709 votes to 1,018, according to vote tallies in the Bledsonian-Banner. No Democrats ran in the primary. Ridley had no primary opponent for county mayor and no Democrats are seeking the office.
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Frady was not arrested on the complaint but was summoned to appear in General Sessions Court on Monday, according to court records. The affidavit seeking the reckless endangerment charge was filed by Ridley himself as a criminal summons, a court summons sought by an individual other than law enforcement but served by a law officer so the accused knows when to come to court.
"There's no truth to it," Frady said when contacted Friday by phone. He deferred further comment to his attorney, Dunlap lawyer Thomas Austin.
Austin, who was in court Friday, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. No one answered the phone at Roberson's office, and there was no way to leave a message. Ridley also didn't immediately return a call and email seeking further comment on the incident.
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Twelfth Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor said Friday in a phone interview when the case comes up in court Monday, an assistant district attorney from his office will be present to handle the case at its introduction.
Monday's appearance for Frady will be similar to an arraignment hearing on the charge, Taylor said.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton.