Judge orders escort for nervous jurors

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TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A judge in Tampa, Fla. has ordered a security escort for jurors at the homicide trial of a woman accused of killing Florida lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare.

The jurors told Judge Emmett Battles they were made to feel uncomfortable outside the courthouse by a witness and family and friends of Shakespeare, ABC News reported.

Battles didn't excuse any of the jurors and scolded defendant DeeDee Moore for facial expressions she was reported to have made toward jurors.

Prosecutors said Moore, 40, who befriended Shakespeare after he won $30 million in the Florida lottery in 2009, stole his money and killed him.

In testimony Monday, jurors focused on a two-page letter police informant Greg Smith said Moore forged to convince Shakespeare's mother he was still alive.

Shortly after the letter was written, Shakespeare's body was found buried under a slab of concrete in Moore's backyard.

Jurors also listened to a recorded conversation with Smith in which Moore admitted she was afraid of being arrested.

If convicted, Moore faces life in prison. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.