My question involves criminal law for the state of: TN
I paid a Home Improvement Contractor, who was also a friend, to make repairs on my home. As I understand this was a 'Turn Key' arrangement. He was to take care of everything involved in the improvements. Only a portion of the work was written in a contract. The rest was verbal. I paid cash for some of the work and with checks for the rest.
My 'friend' convinced me to allow him to craft my 2 carat ring into a pendant. This is something that I planned to do anyway and I was aware he made jewelery. My daughter witnessed me giving him the ring. This friend also offered to have my cars repaired at a customers shop. He stated that if he took them in, the cost would be substantially less.
Needless to say, little work was performed, cars not repaired and I have not seen my jewelry since. He constantly promises to do the work and return my property but doesn't. This has been going on since March. I had been very patient, but it's painfully obvious that he never intended to fulfill his obligation. After the fact, I check and did not find a H/I license for him. He relieved me of close to 6k not including my ring which cost 3.5 k.
To try and prove that we indeed had verbal contracts, I would text him angry,detailed messages concerning the scope and nature of the work and items paid for as well as my property. He would call and leave messages that confirmed my claims.
Are these acts considered theft by deception? Are the checks, texts and voice messages proof enough for my claim?

