Instead of Big Spin, Man Spins His Wheels in Jail

It should have been William Cockrell’s big day, a chance at $2 million in the state lottery’s weekly contest.

But Cockrell, 65, had to sit out Saturday’s Big Spin after missing a contestants’ briefing the night before.

He had a pretty good excuse. He was in jail.

County drug agents took the retired maintenance man and painter into custody Friday morning despite his protest that he had an urgent appointment in Sacramento for the Big Spin.

“I said, ‘Yeah, right, I’ve heard those stories before,’ but then he pulled out a confirmation letter, and he had a motel reservation,” said Sgt. Rick Russell of the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force.

Cockrell was jailed for investigation of transportation and sale of cocaine and methamphetamine and possessing more than an ounce of marijuana.

Bail was set at $20,000. Cockrell posted it, but too late to make the Lottery Commission’s briefing for the 10 Big Spin contestants on Friday night.

“Bill showed up [too late] to go on the show, because he missed the briefing,” lottery spokeswoman Jeanne Winnick said Saturday. “He said he tried to get ahold of us, but we didn’t get word of it.”

There is some consolation for Cockrell. Despite losing his place in line, he’ll get another shot at the $2-million jackpot within the month, lottery officials said.