Snelling v. State

— Appellant Thomas Snelling (Snelling) was charged by indictment with theft and that he obtained by deception control over property of Ina Fay Arnold (Mrs. Arnold). 1 He was convicted after trial by jury and was sentenced to imprisonment for from one to ten years and was fined $2500.00.

The facts most favorable to the State reveal that on July 6, 1972, Paul Arnold (Mrs. Arnold’s husband, a semi-invalid) and Snelling executed a written contract whereby Snelling was to perform certain repair work on Arnold’s house. From time to time, Snelling informed Mrs. Arnold that additional repairs were…