People v Norris 

Defendant, a former farm hand for elderly couple, convicted of attempted theft by deception and violation of order of protection, for having had fellow prison inmate author letter saying he was pro se attorney for Defendant and that he was preparing suit for him as to widow's deceased husband's will, and urging her to settle. Defendant then filed pro se suit against widow for breach of oral agreement, seeking $350,000. At trial, conflicting testimony as to decedent's mental state and basis for Defendant's belief he was to be beneficiary under will. Evidence sufficient to establish that Defendant had taken substantial step toward attempted theft by deception when he filed suit, and had requisite specific intent.