Variety of stories leads to murder charge for Dee Dee Moore

Dee Dee Moore just couldn't keep her stories straight.

And that is one of the reasons deputies charged her with first-degree murder tonight in the shooting death of lottery millionaire Abraham Shakespeare.

In an affidavit seeking Moore's arrest, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Detective Greg Thomas recapped the parade of explanations Moore has given investigators about Shakespeare's whereabouts, how she obtained most of his wealth and who killed him.

"There is no credible evidence linking anyone other than Dee Dee Moore to the homicide of Abraham Shakespeare," Thomas said in arrest records.

The 22-page affidavit said Moore kept switching the blame for Shakespeare's slaying from a drug dealer named Ronald; to herself in self-defense; Shakespeare's cousin; her own 14-year-old son, R.J.; and finally Plant City attorney David Stitzel, who had arranged many of the transactions transferring Shakespeare's assets to Moore.

"Ms. Moore has provided several accounts as to how Abraham Shakespeare was killed," Thomas wrote. "In every account, Ms. Moore has admitted being present when Abraham Shakespeare was killed."

Shakespeare won an estimated $30 million Florida Lottery jackpot in late 2006. After he bought a million-dollar home in early 2007, he was approached by Moore, family and officials said.

Moore said she was interested in writing a book about Shakespeare's life and became something of a financial adviser to Shakespeare.

The 43-year-old went missing in Lakeland in April of last year, although his family didn't report him missing until November. His remains were found last month, buried behind a home in the Plant City area. The home was owned by Moore and her boyfriend.

Records show Shakespeare was shot twice with a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver that deputies said Moore turned over to Gregory Todd Smith, who was working with authorities.

The affidavit said the weapon was part of an elaborate scheme hatched by Moore to pay someone cash if they admitted killing Shakespeare.

Moore is purported to have asked Smith if he knew anyone who would be willing to confess. Smith said he knew someone already facing a lengthy prison term who would be willing to do it for $50,000.

But the man was an undercover Lake Wales police officer who met with Moore and Smith on Jan. 21. The officer said he would need more details about the killing to make his confession convincing.

During the meeting, police said, Moore agreed to tell him where Shakespeare's body was buried and that she had the gun that killed him.

Smith also said he dug the hole in which deputies found Shakespeare's body buried under a concrete slab.

Moore's ex-husband told police Moore had asked him about heavy equipment she would need to clear land at 5802 State Road 60, near Plant City, where the body was found.

James Moore, the former husband, said he dug a hole with a backhoe. He said Moore told him it was for concrete and trash. He said he left after digging the hole and that Moore called him back in an hour or two to fill it. He said he never saw a body in the hole, but that it was dark.

Moore also told many stories about what happened to Shakespeare.

To some, she said he wanted to get away to avoid child support. Or, that he was tired of dealing with the money and people who wanted it. Moore also said Shakespeare was in Jamaica being treated for AIDS.

One of the last times Shakespeare was seen was in April. Thomas said he was supposed to meet his driver and assistant Judy Haggins at the Hardrock Casino in Tampa.

When he didn't show up, Moore told him Shakespeare had an altercation with an underage prostitute.

The affidavit said Moore went to great lengths to make it appear Shakespeare was alive after April, when he was last seen.

Thomas said she sent text messages purporting to be him, that she also paid Smith to impersonate Shakespeare in calls, including one to his mother. Thomas said Moore game Smith a typed letter that was supposed to be from Shakespeare that he was supposed to leave in Shakespeare's mother's mailbox saying he had left because the police were going to arrest him.

Much of the affidavit was devoted to the financial wrangling in which Moore was able to seize control of $3.5 million of Shakespeare's remaining assets.

Deputies said Moore was able to do it in less than four months after meeting Shakespeare under the pretext she wanted to write a book about him.

Thomas details the transfer of property, debts owed to Shakespeare, cars and other assets through accounts created and/or controlled by Moore.

The detective said the investigation showed Moore provided documentations that she got the $3.5 million for less than five cents on the dollar; and even then investigators could substantiate her claims.

The affidavit said Moore worked with Stitzel to foil those investigating Shakespeare's disappearance and how she cooperated with authorities to implicate Stitzel.

"Ms. Moore had a financial motive to kill Abraham Shakespeare and to conceal the truth concerning his murder and disappearance," Thomas concluded.

Moore is scheduled to make an initial appearance on the new charges Saturday.

She first was arrested Feb. 2, charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

Debbie Munguia, who lives at 5732 State Road 60, where deputies say Shakespeare was killed, expressed shock when told that Moore was charged with first-degree murder.

"I want to cry," said Munguia.