Fake-crack deal led to Tenderloin slaying, police say

A San Francisco man is being held in a Tenderloin slaying that police say was prompted by his suspicion that the victim had sold him bogus crack cocaine.

Leroy Brown, 63, appeared in court this morning on charges of murder in the stabbing death of Eric Robinson, 43.

Robinson was attacked at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday on the 300 block of Ellis Street. Police Inspector Valerie Matthews said Brown was a drug user who apparently was angry that Robinson was "gaffling" him - selling him fake narcotics.

"That's a serious offense on the street," Matthews said. "Like I was told (during the investigation), in this economy, you can't gaff people."

Brown's arraignment was delayed until Tuesday, when an attorney will have been appointed to defend him. He is being held on $5 million bail.