A $63,000 BMW and a mob informant's claim provided some surprising twists and turns Tuesday to a trial over who owns a $25 million lottery ticket.

What became a particularly contentious proceeding virtually overshadowed the testimony of an Englewood couple who adamantly denied that they conspired with a third man to swipe the winning ticket from a group of hospital workers.

At one point, state Superior Court Judge Marguerite Simon questioned whether the lab workers' attorney, Sheldon Liebowitz, was playing to the media.

"Mr. Liebowitz, you are close to pushing me beyond tolerance," she said.

Simon will decide whether to award the cash to Teri and Cornell Davis of Englewood or to the 20 hospital workers who are suing them.

The pricey car took center stage during the trial's fifth day when Liebowitz surprised nearly everyone in the Hackensack courtroom by producing a document showing that Mark Townes looked into buying it on March 20 at a Tenafly BMW dealership.

Townes is the twin brother of Jamal Townes, an X-ray technician who plays a central role in the alleged conspiracy. The employees of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center assert that Jamal Townes bought the winning ticket for their lottery pool, then gave it to the Davises to avoid splitting the cash with the pool members.

Townes, who has denied buying any ticket for the March 14 drawing, was asked how his brother could afford a $63,000 BMW just six days after the drawing.