State v. Coleman

In this case, we consider the State’s effort to criminalize the breach of residential construction contracts. We are asked to determine whether the evidence adduced at trial was sufficient to convict the Respondent, Leon Thomas Coleman, Jr., of theft by deception under Md.Code (2009), § 7-104(a) of the Criminal Law Article. We are also asked to determine whether the Deposits on New Homes Subtitle (“Act”), Md.Code (1998, 2010 Repl.Vol.), § 10-301(a) of the Real Property Article, applies to money received in exchange for land without a residential unit on it.

After Coleman failed to perform…