Court Opinion

ID: 9650240
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 15:27:30.262624+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:19.160869
License: Public Domain

SPAETH, Judge,
concurring and dissenting:
I agree with the majority’s disposition of the issues that it discusses. However, appellant has also argued that the *109evidence was insufficient to support a finding of guilt on the charge of theft by deception. I agree with appellant’s argument, and would therefore grant arrest of judgment on that charge.
There was no direct proof that appellant knew that the second sale he made was not of heroin, but of quinine only. The only circumstantial proof was that appellant promised heroin, but delivered quinine. This is not sufficient proof, for under the Crimes Code, "deception as to a person's intention to perform a promise shall not be inferred from the fact alone that he did not subsequently perform the promise." 18 Pa.C.S. § 3922(a)(1). I do not find persuasive the Commonwealth's argument that appellant's knowledge may be inferred from the fact that appellant was a heroin addict. Cf. Commonwealth v. Fucci, 251 Pa.Super. 156, 380 A.2d 425 (1977) (deceiver's knowledge proved by his assertions to buyer that he had used the "heroin" and was still a "little high" from it, and by accomplice's testimony that she told deceiver that the "heroin" was baking soda and that transaction was trick).