text:  But we didn't know who got it or if Violet Ellison got it. Their thinking was if they could prove that she was paid and they weren't told about this payment, DeForest might possibly be able to get a new trial. And to be clear, being paid a reward, there's nothing illegal about that. Rewards are often offered in high-profile murder cases, but it cannot be kept from the defendant, his lawyers, or the jury.