A Florida woman is accused of murdering a lottery winner, then offering an undercover agent $50,000 to take the blame.
Police believe Doris "Dee Dee" Moore, now 40, shot and killed jackpot lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare, of Lakeland, in April 2009, ABC News reports. The two had met earlier that year, according to Fox 13, when Moore approached Shakespeare, claiming that she wanted to write a book about him.
Shakespeare had initially won $31 million in the Florida Lottery in November 2006, but was sued by a co-worker alleging Shakespeare had stolen the winning ticket from him. In October 2007, a jury took Shakespeare's side and awarded him a $17 million lump sum.
By the time Shakespeare met Moore, he had already given away most of his winnings, but investigators say Moore quickly gained control over the remainder. Moore assured Shakespeare that she could properly manage his money, according to prosecutors.
Shakespeare wasn't reported missing until November 2009, when his friends and family told authorities they had not seen him since April.
Moore allegedly attempted to make it appear as if Shakespeare was still alive. Detectives say she sent text messages to his family members in which she pretended to be Shakespeare, sent his son $5,000 for his birthday, and offered an unidentified individual $200,000 for reporting a false sighting of the man.
Detectives employed an acquaintance of Moore's, Gregory Todd Smith, to work as an undercover informant, ABC Action News reported.
"Moore approached [Smith], inquiring if he knew anyone that was awaiting sentencing to prison and would be willing to admit to the killing of Abraham Shakespeare in exchange for $50,000," Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee told WTSP.
Smith kept his cover for months, and Moore ultimately led him to Shakespeare's body. In January 2010, investigators dug up the body, buried on a rural property in Plant City under five feet of concrete.
The property had been purchased with one of Shakespeare's checks shortly after his death, according to WTSP. Moore's ex-boyfriend was listed as the home's owner.
Moore has maintained her innocence, reportedly accusing an assortment of other people of being the murderer. Detectives say her story has changed several times, but she always claims that she was present when the killing occurred.
Jury selection began Tuesday for Moore's trial, which is expected to last two weeks. If convicted, Moore will receive a mandatory life sentence.