Jury To Decide Million Dollar Lottery Ticket Dilemma
By: Jocelyn Tovar, KARK 4 NEWS
Updated: September 18, 2012
A White County Circuit Court judge has set a trial date in the legal battle over a disputed instant lottery ticket that won a million-dollar prize.
White County Judge Craig Hannah set the trial to begin on December 6th and has placed a gag order on anyone close to the case to prevent them from talking to the media.
But if the opinion of people around town is any indication, this won't be an open and shut case.
"I don't think every situation is black or white," said Doug Stewart.
Judge Hannah decided y to move forward with a jury trial to decide who is the rightful owner of a discarded winning lottery ticket.
The ticket with a million dollar prize was bought, but thrown away, by Sharon Duncan. It was then picked up and ultimately cashed-in by Sharon Jones. The situation has blurred the lines as far as who the money belongs to.
"Just like if you put your trash on the curb it's fair game," said Lisa Davis.
Most people who live in the area we spoke with sided with the money belonging to the new owner.
"The one who found it honestly," said Michael Cook. "If she threw it away it's completely right for her to have it." 'Finders keepers' we asked, "Yes all the way! " said Cook.
Inside the courtroom some carried their own lottery tickets with the hope this type of luck might strike twice.
Judge Craig Hannah said inside closed doors they will do their best to seat an impartial jury in order to determine who's the rightful owner of the ticket.
"I'll be interested in seeing how the courts answer that question," said Doug Stewart.
Which might be hard considering everyone seems to have an opinion.
"Let's come to some conclusion," said Davis, "Maybe split it or something just to be nice, but I don't think that's going to happen."
Some we spoke with were upset tax money was being spent on a lottery dispute, but the judge has set aside only two days for the trial so not expecting it to last very long.
White County Judge Craig Hannah set the trial to begin on December 6th and has placed a gag order on anyone close to the case to prevent them from talking to the media.
But if the opinion of people around town is any indication, this won't be an open and shut case.
"I don't think every situation is black or white," said Doug Stewart.
Judge Hannah decided y to move forward with a jury trial to decide who is the rightful owner of a discarded winning lottery ticket.
The ticket with a million dollar prize was bought, but thrown away, by Sharon Duncan. It was then picked up and ultimately cashed-in by Sharon Jones. The situation has blurred the lines as far as who the money belongs to.
"Just like if you put your trash on the curb it's fair game," said Lisa Davis.
Most people who live in the area we spoke with sided with the money belonging to the new owner.
"The one who found it honestly," said Michael Cook. "If she threw it away it's completely right for her to have it." 'Finders keepers' we asked, "Yes all the way! " said Cook.
Inside the courtroom some carried their own lottery tickets with the hope this type of luck might strike twice.
Judge Craig Hannah said inside closed doors they will do their best to seat an impartial jury in order to determine who's the rightful owner of the ticket.
"I'll be interested in seeing how the courts answer that question," said Doug Stewart.
Which might be hard considering everyone seems to have an opinion.
"Let's come to some conclusion," said Davis, "Maybe split it or something just to be nice, but I don't think that's going to happen."
Some we spoke with were upset tax money was being spent on a lottery dispute, but the judge has set aside only two days for the trial so not expecting it to last very long.
