$9.5M lotto ticket case goes to court

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Protecting a $9.5 million Hoosier Lottery Jackpot had seven hairstylists in Judge Heather Welch's Marion Superior Court. The stylists took the next step in making sure they aren't cut out of the millions.
 
They fear an eighth stylist, the woman who bought the group lottery tickets and the winning one, will cash-in and leave them with nothing, says the plaintiff's attorney Scott Montross.  

"Well, the judge will rule on our request for a preliminary injunction which would freeze the proceeds of the ticket," says Montross. 

The eighth stylist, Christina Shaw, currently holds the winning ticket.

"If we can't figure this out amongst us, then we'd file a complaint against Miss Shaw and proceed in this courtroom," says Montross. 

Shaw bought pool tickets for eight stylists at Lou's. The winning ticket she claimed was one she bought for herself.  

There are ten witnesses – seven who say they were cheated and three others, who weren't part of the winning ticket pool, but had worked at Lou's at one time testified.  

All said they always bought quick picks. 

Personal tickets could not be bought at the same place as group tickets and if that happened, the personal ticket would become part of the group. All would share the winnings. And all testified

Everyone knew the rules, even Christina Shaw. While Shaw was not in court, her Attorney Kent Smith was. 

When asked if Shaw bought the winning ticket at a different place and time Smith said,  "No she did not." 

This gives the plaintiff's attorney hope this can be settled out of court. 

"We feel as though our position is pretty reasonable. And I hope they feel it’s pretty reasonable too. I'm not sure that will be the case," says Montross. 

Judge Welch said she would issue a written ruling by Friday. An attorney for the Hoosier Lottery Commission was in court. He told the Judge that the commission has no objection to an injunction that would freeze the $9.5 million jackpot.