Lottery Winner's Killer Wants a New Trial - Here's Why It Might Happen

Mug shot of Dorice Moore. Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of Corrections.

In a case that gripped Florida and beyond, the murder of lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare remains a cautionary tale about how sudden wealth can attract danger. Shakespeare, who won a $30 million lottery jackpot in 2006, was found buried under concrete in the backyard of Dorice “DeeDee” Moore’s Florida property in 2010. Moore, convicted of first-degree murder in 2012, is now seeking a new trial, claiming she was framed by a drug dealer.

A Dream Turned Nightmare

Shakespeare’s life changed drastically after his lottery win. A former sanitation worker, he opted for a lump sum payout of $17 million in 2006. However, by 2008, much of his fortune had been spent. That year, Moore entered his life under the guise of writing a book about his life story.

Instead of fulfilling this promise, Moore took control of Shakespeare’s finances. A banker testified during Moore’s trial that she and Shakespeare deposited a $1.1 million check into an account, granting herself sole authority to manage the funds. She convinced Shakespeare, who was illiterate, to go into business with her.

Moore’s scheme culminated in the brutal killing of Shakespeare in 2009. After fatally shooting him, she buried his body under a concrete slab in the backyard of her Plant City, Florida, property. Moore moved into Shakespeare’s million-dollar home, seizing his remaining assets, Authorities discovered the body months later, leading to her arrest.

Moore’s Changing Stories and Defense Challenges

Throughout the investigation and trial in 2012, Moore’s story about how Shakespeare died constantly shifted. She accused five different people of involvement in his death, including drug dealers she referred to as “Ronald” and “Fearless,” an undercover police officer, one of Shakespeare’s friends, and even her own 14-year-old son, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

These accusations, however, failed to align with the evidence presented at trial, and Moore was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Moore’s Quest for a New Trial

More than a decade after her conviction, Moore launched a fight for a new trial in summer 2023. She claimed the real killer was a drug dealer connected to Shakespeare’s social circle - and that Shakespeare was having an affair with the wife of a key witness who testified at her trial. According to Moore, she was framed, and key evidence that implicated her in trial was fabricated.

In addition, Moore accused her attorneys of making significant errors during her trial, including not introducing critical DNA evidence. She expressed her dissatisfaction with her legal team’s performance, stating, “He put on no defense. Absolutely none. He was horrible,” she said, according to FOX 13.

In contrast, Moore’s defense team said her unpredictable behavior made her a difficult client to represent. Her initial lawyer, Christopher Boldt, described her as a “management challenge” and noted the difficulty of having normal conversations with her, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Boldt’s remarks underscored the challenges of defending a client whose actions and claims frequently undermined her own credibility.

In 2023, her new legal team pushed for the court to revisit the case, arguing that a taped witness statement and DNA evidence could exonerate her. In July 2023, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco agreed to hold a hearing and review the evidence submitted. However, as of January 2025, there is still no word on whether Moore will get a new trial.

The Enduring Impact of Shakespeare’s Case

Abraham Shakespeare’s story is a sobering reminder of the dark side of sudden wealth. His case not only highlights how greed can destroy lives, but also raises questions about the vulnerability of lottery winners. While Moore’s attempts to secure a new trial continue to unfold, the impact of Shakespeare’s tragic fate lingers, serving as a cautionary tale for those who dream of hitting the jackpot.

References: Hillsborough woman convicted in Florida Lottery winner killing wants new trial | Woman convicted of killing Lakeland lottery winner asks for new trial, accuses police of corruption | Who killed lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare? Convicted killer seeking trial now points finger at drug dealer