State v. Jackson

SABERS, Retired Justice.

[¶ 1.] After Kent Jackson failed to complete the installation of a roof on Gary Epperson’s business, the State charged him with grand theft by deception. Jackson moved for judgment of acquittal after the State rested its case-in-chief. The motion was denied. A jury convicted him of the crime, prompting Jackson to again move for a directed verdict, but it was *542denied a second time. Jackson appeals. We reverse.

FACTS

[¶ 2.] Jackson embarked upon a roofing career in 1995. His business, based out of Pierre, South Dakota, was a sole proprietorship from 1995 until 2000, when it…