In re Estate of Downie

Decatur, Referee.

This matter is before this court on an action entitled Application for Probate of Spoliated Will and First and Second Codicils to said Will.

At the outset it may be said that the facts as presented would seem to be straight from the pen of Erie Stanley Gardner, the renowned author of the highly popular Perry Mason series. The original will, as presented, contains in Item 4, at the bottom of page, one, the following:

*37“I give and bequeath the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) to each of the following named six (6) persons: (Emphasis ours.)

A. My grand-daughter,…