TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa County District Attorney's Office and the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office announced the dismissal of the joint prosecution of a suspect in a 1983 cold case.
Officials said the prosecution of Willie C. Moore, also known as Clyde Moore, in the 1983 death of Anthony Baltes is dismissed due to Moore's recent death.
Authorities apprehended Moore in Wyoming, later extraditing him to Oklahoma, where he remained in Tulsa County jail until be was taken to a local hospital for a health issue recently.
In February 2020, DNA evidence tied Moore to a motel room where Batles' body was found by cleaning staff, tied up and beaten to death. Moore's case was awaiting trial when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020.
“The passing of Mr. Moore does not minimize the strength of the evidence we had against him,” said Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler. “Cold case homicides are very difficult cases to solve. Occasionally information or witnesses come forward which provides the necessary link for filing of charges, which is how this case was able to be advanced.”
Originally, two suspects were accused in the case, Erlene Lee and Moore.
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Later, Lee's charges were dropped due to her cooperation with the investigating authorities.
“We as a family are disappointed that they didn’t get to say their peace in a victim impact statement. We do, however, believe that God intervened so that they would not have to endure a trial,” said Becky Baltes, daughter of victim Anthony Baltes.
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