The Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office announced that their joint prosecution of Willie C. Moore in Tulsa County will be dismissed due to his death. 

Moore was charged with the cold case homicide of Anthony Baltes, which occurred on September 18, 1983. 

“This was a long journey for the surviving family members of Mr. Baltes,” said Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler.  “The hard work Tulsa Police Department Lt. Eddie Majors lead to a multi-county grand jury indictment of Mr. Moore.  I am thankful to Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter and Senior Deputy Attorney General Joy Thorp for their willingness to join with my office in seeking justice on cases like this.”

Moore, also known as “Clyde” Moore was apprehended in Fremont County, Wyoming, where he was a longtime resident.  He was extradited to Oklahoma and remained in the Tulsa County jail until he was recently transferred to a local hospital to deal with a health issue. DNA Evidence was presented at a preliminary hearing conducted in February, 2020 which tied Moore to a motel room where Baltes’ body was discovered by cleaning staff.  Moore’s case was awaiting assignment for jury trial when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted in Oklahoma. 

“The passing of Mr. Moore does not minimize the strength of the evidence we had against him,” Kunzweiler said.  “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.” 

A co-defendant, Erlene Lee, was originally charged along with Moore, but charges were subsequently dropped based upon 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.