Commonwealth v. Beckett

The defendant appeals from her conviction of conspiracy to steal money of a value of more than *331$100 from the Commonwealth. The charge was based on a claim that the defendant and her husband, Paul S. Beckett, conspired to commit larceny by false pretenses by misrepresenting to the Department of Public Welfare that her husband did not live with the defendant and their daughter, with the intended result that the defendant would appear to qualify for, and thus to receive, aid to families with dependent children (AFDC).

The defendant argues that (1) she was denied her constitutional right to a…