$1 million lottery winner faces meth charges
There was only one problem with Megan Gatlin's using a court-appointed attorney in her upcoming criminal trial: She's a lottery winner.
The 28-year-old Vancouver woman won $1 million this spring in the Oregon Lottery's St. Patrick's Day Raffle. So when she appeared Friday in Clark County Superior Court to face charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and third-degree theft, her attorney questioned the appointment.
Defense attorney John Peterson was appointed to represent Gatlin in May. Gatlin collected her winnings, which were estimated to be about $670,000 after taxes, in April.
Peterson told Superior Court Judge Dan Stahnke he didn't think it was appropriate for the county to pick up the tab for Gatlin's defense, as she clearly wasn't indigent.
Stahnke asked why a judge would appoint Peterson to the case in the first place. Apparently, Peterson said, the court didn't know Gatlin was a lottery winner.
Gatlin explained that she had answered all of the questions the court official asked her when trying to determine eligibility for a court-appointed attorney. The court official asked about Gatlin's income and residency. Gatlin told the woman she was unemployed and lived with her mother.
The court official never asked Gatlin how much money she had in the bank, Gatlin said.
Gatlin told the judge Friday that she won $1 million in the lottery and had the money in her bank account. At that, Stahnke relieved the attorney of his indigent defense duties.
Peterson will still represent Gatlin when she goes to trial in November — just not on the taxpayer's dime.
After Peterson questioned the appointment, Gatlin hired the Vancouver lawyer to represent her.
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I read in another article that court costs are expected to be roughly $669,995.....
Rotflmoa, live by the sword missy.
"Don't do drugs".
Easy come, easy go................
I am pretty sure when I win my name will be in the paper, but not for this kind of nonsense !
Hmmm I'd get a different lawyer, he ratted her out straight out of the gate. Lawyer bad. Meth worse.
Good point,
Is this the same woman that the mom was waiting for the Camero?...
The problem with America illustrated clearly here...bet she bought those tats with her winnings. Nice way to spend. It is the entitlement attitude pervading this country that made her keep her mouth shut about having a lot of money in the bank even though she is "unemployed". She is unemployed because she DOES NOT have to work!!! Big difference from someone who is unemployed and wants or needs to work. She will be broke in no time flat from attorney expenses and drug problem. Even someone as rich as Warren Buffett would be broke if he/she were involved in drug use...especially something as destructive and addictive as meth, heroine, or cocaine. It is a shame that so many druggies and criminals win the lottery but that is life as it is a game of chance, not a game of merit. I guess that is why I hear so many make comments about good people winning.
I wish they had a photo of her smiling with teeth showing so we could fully determine if she was a heavy user or not. and maybe the money will help her quit! I know that I only smoke cigarettes when I'm working, but I don't light any when I'm home on the weekends! and if I wasnt stressed out about money at all, then I would theoretically quit cigarettes completely! Only God can judge so let's all pray she puts that money to good use!
like they say Crime doesn't pay
I really hope she's not a meth head but from the look of this pic .....
If she's not, she's a very old looking 28 year old!!!
if they don,t ask her how much money she in the bank she is such get a count appointed att;
Peterson told Superior Court Judge Dan Stahnke he didn't think it was appropriate for the county to pick up the tab for Gatlin's defense, as she clearly wasn't indigent......
Peterson will still represent Gatlin when she goes to trial in November — just not on the taxpayer's dime. .......
After Peterson questioned the appointment, Gatlin hired the Vancouver lawyer to represent her.
My guess would be Attorney Peterson thinks he struck gold in a meth addicted lottery winner client who does not have the wherewithall to keep him from ripping off that $600,000+ bank account. After all why have taxpayers pay her bill when he can keep it all to himself!!!
2 of the worst things on earth,but sometimes you do need the one.
next,she have nother lawyer to sue him for breech of confidance.
People are tired of seeing dopers win big prizes all the time.
We'd like to see a boozer win once in a while!
When you booze you looze....
I thought it was geezers close to kicking the bucket.
Power to the geezer boozers! Right on!
Oh somewhat cash wealthy Megan, what did you steal that had a value under $750?
Oh Megan, there is more than one lawyer who is: 1) On good terms with the presiding Judge to your trial, and 2) An excellent, convincing performer before a jury and judges ... hire that lawyer instead (probably same high fees)! Megan, behave yourself from now on, you are not "an island."
On another note, I guess this is one state that may be, finally, changing it's "means test" of too few questions in order to determine if a free public defender will be provided compliments of the county's few income tax paying residents.
I don't agree with you. He sounds like an actual what-a-lawyer-should-be kind of lawyer.
I think she's smart hiring him. He obviously does his homework and that's what she needs right now - whether I agree with what she did or not, she is innocent until proven guilty.
Why does it seem like a good percentage of lottery winners are hardened criminals or dregs of society in some other manner?
She'll be broke before you can say 'quick prick'
Because as much as we hate to admit it, people in Kentucky have a right to buy lottery tickets too.
Why thank'ya darlin tiggs be hold'en to ya..
You're welcome and don't call me darlin'.