Moore maintains innocence in Shakespeare case as she is arrested

Just hours before her arrest today, an emotional Dorice Donegan "Dee Dee" Moore maintained she didn't kill lottery millionaire Abraham Shakespeare.

"I'm not scared of going to jail for murder, because there is no jury that's going to convict me,'' she
said.

For now, at least, she doesn't have to worry about a murder charge.

But Moore, who befriended Shakespeare after he won about $30 million in the Florida lottery in 2006, was arrested and charged with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact, Hillsborough County Sheriff
David Gee said at a news conference tonight.

"She is not currently charged with the murder,'' Gee said. "Yes, she can be charged with murder. The investigation is still unfolding right now. I would expect there will be more charges brought by the state attorney.

"Right now, this is what we are comfortable with,'' the sheriff added.

Gee said that Moore arranged to have Shakespeare's body buried at the property near Plant City where it was unearthed last week beneath a concrete slab. The property where the body was found is owned by Moore's boyfriend.

The sheriff said that Moore bought bags of lime to place over the body and planned to have the body moved. She also wrote a letter, sent text messages and had someone call his mother, all the while posing as Shakespeare so relatives would believe he was still alive.

Moore, 37, approached a witness and asked if he knew anyone awaiting sentencing to prison who would be willing to admit to killing Shakespeare in exchange for $50,000, Gee said.

She was taken to the Orient Road Jail for booking.

As she was being walked to a deputy's car, Moore said she did not kill Shakespeare and said she was saddened for the family's loss. She said she did not kill him.

Her attorney, John Liguori, has told the sheriff's office his client is not to be questioned about Shakespeare.

"I am not surprised that she has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Shakespeare," said Liguori. "I am very surprised at the way this matter was handled, especially in light of the fact that had I been notified of their interest in arresting her, I would have surrendered her immediately. It appears that they have gone to curious lengths to effectuate her detention and arrest in Hillsborough County."

She is going to plead not guilty, Liguori said.

Gee would not comment on the number of witnesses or additional suspects who might be involved in the case.

"We're going to find out everybody that was involved,'' he said. "We are going to seek justice for him and we will find out all the players, whether they were involved in the murder or the theft of his lottery winnings.''

Authorities said Shakespeare, 43, was slain within a residence at 5732 State Road 60 E. near Plant City. They also said that Moore provided a witness the Smith and Wesson .38-caliber revolver used to kill Shakespeare.

Earlier today, hours before Moore was arrested at 5 p.m. in a restaurant parking lot on State Road 39 in the Plant City area, the sheriff's office said Shakespeare was the victim of "homicidal violence." Officials declined to elaborate on how he died specifically.

But Shakespeare's cousin, Cedric Edom, said Moore told him three days ago that Shakespeare, whose funeral is set for Saturday, had been shot twice.

"I just thank God," Edom said at news of Moore's arrest. "I wanted her to give my family closure. She said she would give my aunt [Shakespeare's mother Elizabeth Walker] closure. It is coming to a head, soon will be over. I am sure she will identify whoever did it and they are going to be brought to justice."

Edom said the last time he saw his cousin was April 3. Authorities said that Shakespeare was killed either April 6 or April 7.

"I told her how my aunt felt," said Edom. "How my aunt really did trust her and really did love her. She had my aunt very comfortable."

Moore started to break down after hearing that, said Edom.

"My aunt wanted to know if her son suffered," he said. "I wanted to know if my cousin suffered."