Question

In 1982 in Gainesville, Georgia there was a suspected serial killer on the loose.  He was dubbed the Swamp Slasher.  He had attacked and killed at least 5 women over the course of a year.  His attacks were all very similar in nature.  America’s Most Wanted offered a $50,000 reward to anyone providing information through its tip line by December 31, 1982, leading to the arrest of the Swamp Slasher.  Debbie Adams was alone at her house in Gainesville when she was attacked by a man.  Luckily, her son came home and ran the man off before he could kill Debbie.  Debbie and her son gave a description of the man to law enforcement.  Law enforcement passed the detailed description along to the media and to the FBI investigating the Swamp Slasher because the attacks seemed very similar.  The FBI shared that information with America’s Most Wanted.  On December 15, 1982, Charlie Dodd was arrested for the attack on Debbie and for being the Swamp Slasher.  Debbie’s and her son’s detailed description of her attacker was an important factor in apprehending Mr. Dodd.  On January 4, 1983, Debbie and her son contacted America’s Most Wanted to claim their reward.  America’s Most Wanted denied their claim stating that the two were not entitled to it.

Was America’s Most Wanted contractually obligated to pay Debbie and her son the reward money?  Why or why not?  What would the trial court consider?  What would the trial court decide?

Answer 1