January 27, 2005

BILL OF RIGHTS BROADCAST COVERAGE

News 12 Connecticut

We have a News 12 Connecticut follow-up now to the fight over a historic document, believed to be worth as much as $40 million. You really need a score card for this one.

A federal appeals court has now nullified a ruling that awarded an original copy of the US Bill of Rights to the state of North Carolina. Now the court sent the case back to federal court in Carolina to determine whether Connecticut businessman, Robert Matthews, is the rightful owner. Now Matthews says he paid $100,000 for the parchment document from business partner and Woodbury antiques dealer, Wayne Pratt. The state of North Carolina claims the document is one of 14 original draft copies of the 1789 Bill of Rights. This particular copy in question, was stolen from the State Capitol building in Raleigh. Stay tuned.