CNN.com – Woman drops lawsuit to stop lottery payout – Jan. 9, 2004

“I wanted to win. The numbers were so overwhelming,” lottery challenger Elecia Battle said. “I did buy a ticket, and I lost it. I wanted to win so bad for my kids, my family.”

The 40-year-old had asked a Cuyahoga County judge in Cleveland to stop Ohio lottery officials from paying Rebecca Jemison, the declared winner of the $162 million jackpot from the December 30 Mega Millions multistate drawing.

Contrite and tearful at a news briefing, Battle said she had the suit dismissed Thursday.

“I do want the world to know I apologize for any inconvenience,” she said.

Well, that’s all right then. Verdict not guilty – she wanted the money for her kids.