A killer conversationBy
Stephanie Slater Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 12:05 PM
Wearing a blue jumpsuit and carrying a Bible, Rex Ditto sat down on the cold steel stool, reached underneath the metal countertop and lifted the phone off the hook.
Thank you for coming, he said.
Why do you want to talk, I asked.
Because I didn’t do it…I wasn’t even there, he replied.
Ditto is charged with the Feb. 5 murder of Curious George collaborator
Alan Shalleck.
He and his former lover,
Vincent J. Puglisi, confessed to beating and stabbing the 76-year-old man more than 80 times in his Boynton Beach mobile home.
Investigators say their case is solid. They’ve got the confessions, DNA, a forged check. Even more so, Ditto walked into the Boynton Beach Police Department wearing Shalleck’s Fossil watch and sneakers whose sole matched a bloody footprint investigators found in the home.
With a May 25 court appearance looming, Ditto wanted to talk about why he admitted to doing something he claims he didn’t do. He said his attorney told him his best bet is to plead guilty and take a life sentence without the chance of parole.
Ditto plans to fire his attorney and represent himself.
On Friday, after walking through metal detectors and self-locking doors, I sat in a frigid, dreary, putrid-smelling room a little bigger than a coat closet. Seven other women were there; one brought her toddler.
One by one, inmates from the jail ambled up to the phones on their side of a Plexiglas window etched with “Pooky luvs Montrell,” “I (heart) you,” and expletives.
Ditto (right), 30, is tall and lanky, with tousled brown hair and silver wire-framed glasses. His voice quivered when he spoke. He called me Ma’am. He has a Southern drawl.
He has an explanation for everything.
He does not, however, seem to know the last name of the man he’s alleged to have killed.
He called him Mr. Shiffer and Mr. Sheppard, then Mr. Alan.
Ditto’s side of the story
The way Ditto tells it, Shalleck responded to a newspaper advertisement for his carpet cleaning business. He went to Shallek’s home on King Theodore Drive on Saturday, Feb. 4. Shalleck gave him a check for $450 and told him to come back on Feb. 9 to clean the place.
On Sunday, Ditto and Puglisi went to a restaurant to watch the Super Bowl and back to Ditto’s Pembroke Pines apartment. Puglisi, 54, told him their relationship was over and left.
Ditto spoke openly about his relationship with Puglisi. They met in January through a free gay phone chat. After their first date, Ditto moved into Puglisi’s Wilton Manors home. Things were going well until Puglisi got evicted. The couple were in the midst of moving into Ditto’s apartment when they were arrested.
Ditto and Puglisi are separated in jail. They see each other in court. They don’t speak. They don’t look at each other.
Ditto said he spent that Sunday night at home. No one stopped by. No one called.
Puglisi (right) came by Monday morning, asking Ditto to take him back. He gave him a watch and a pair of red sneakers wrapped in tissue paper. They went for a drive, first to the bank, where Ditto cashed the check Shalleck gave him on Saturday. Later, they went to a pawnshop, where Puglisi dropped off jewelry, which investigators said belonged to Shalleck.
On Wednesday, after police had called the house three times, Ditto confronted Puglisi.
“I said, ‘You lied to them and said you were on the west coast when you were right here,” Ditto told me. “He said he went to Mr. Shever’s house. They were going to have sex. Mr. Alan didn’t want to do anything because he thought Vince was bringing me over too. They got into an argument. There was a struggle and then he stabbed him and kept hitting and hitting him.”
“He told me he tried to drag him out and take him to Alligator Alley to throw him out there. He said he got two belts and tied them around him and drug him out there. But the guy was too heavy. He wasn’t remorseful. He was just telling me because I made him tell me.”
Ditto stopped talking for a moment and sifted through court papers his attorney gave him. He reads them daily in the dorm he shares with 20 other men in the west wing at the county’s main jail. He has been trying to get his hands on law books, but his requests keep getting denied. He points to passages in the transcript of his and Puglisi’s confessions to police. The word “lie” is marked in pencil several times in the margins.
The biggest lie, he said, is that he and Puglisi had a conversation at dinner the night of the murder about going to Shalleck’s home to rob and kill him. They would then discard his body on Alligator Alley.
“He told them we talked about it before. We didn’t.” Ditto said. “He was trying to involve me because he knew I had a criminal record.”
Shalleck begged for his life
Ditto’s taped interview with police tells a different story.
At first he denied any part in the murder, telling police the only contact he had with Shalleck was when he went to his home for the carpet cleaning job.
But then Investigator Chris Crawford noticed the sole of Ditto’s sneaker looked a lot like a shoe print in blood at the house. When Ditto saw a photo of the print, he broke down and started talking.
And he took off his Fossil watch. He didn’t want to wear the watch of a dead man.
According to his confession, he and Puglisi got to Shalleck’s house at a bout 10 p.m. and watched TV for a while. That led to Puglisi and Shalleck spanking Ditto with a wooden paddle. But the spanking got too hard and Ditto used the paddle to hit Shalleck in the eye. They then choked each other. Ditto pushed Shalleck to the floor of the master bedroom and continued to hit him in the head with the paddle. Puglisi went to the kitchen and returned with multiple knives. They then stabbed Shalleck all over his body. But Shalleck, who was on the floor on his back, tried to fight back. When he wouldn’t die, Puglisi tried to smother him with a seat cushion. Puglisi then got two glass candlesticks from the living room and smashed Shalleck in the head.
The whole time, Shalleck pleaded with them to stop, making “snoring noises” as he begged for his life.
Ditto then cut Shalleck in the groin in an attempt to break arteries in the leg and kidney, he told police.
When Shalleck was believed to be dead, they wrapped him up in black trash bags that Puglisi took from his job at Chooks Chicken in Wilton Manors. Ditto also wore latex gloves that Puglisi took from the restaurant. They tied two belts around him and dragged him outside the house and into the carport. Puglisi reached up and unscrewed the lightbulb in the carport’s spotlight. They tried to lift Shalleck into their SUV but he was too heavy.
Startled when they saw a security guard patrolling the neighborhood, they left Shalleck’s body in the driveway and drove to Riverwalk Park in Fort Lauderdale. There, they threw a black plastic bag, containing the paddle and several knives, into the New River.
So why did Ditto confess to a murder he now says he had no part of?
“I was on medication. I’m diagnosed schizophrenic. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was half in and out of my mind at the time,” he told me.
Ditto also claims that investigators slapped and punched him after he was arrested. And he felt bad for Puglisi.
“He’s an older guy. I knew he wouldn’t make it in prison. I thought I could handle it better. But I didn’t know he’d stabbed the guy 100 times. Now I know it’s premeditated murder. They could give us both the death penalty if we take it to trial and they find us guilty.”
“I am not guilty.”
By his own admission, Ditto is a troubled soul with a tarnished past. The youngest of William and Sarah Ditto’s four sons, his first arrest came at the age of 18. His parents had sent him to a halfway house in Montgomery, Ala., because they couldn’t deal with his mental illness. It turned out to be a place for people who abused drugs and alcohol. Ditto said he didn’t have a substance abuse problem.
His parents and staff members told him he’d be there for the rest of his life.
So he burned his bed. It set off the sprinkler system, which quickly put out the fire. Still, he served five years in Limestone Prison near Huntsville, Ala. Shortly after he got out, he set fire to the toilet paper aisle in the grocery store where he worked as a stock clerk. He did it because they were going to fire him. He was young and stupid, he said.
He served six months’ house arrest in his parent’s home in Mobile. Despite the terms of his probation, he left Mobile and went to Buffalo, N.Y., hoping to cross the border into Canada to go to a mental hospital he found on the Internet.
He never made it. He spent a year in the Mobile county jail for violating his probation.
For the next three years, Ditto attended a court-ordered outpatient mental health program. It had little effect on him. He slept most of the time there.
In 2003, he moved to New Orleans and got an apartment in the Ninth Ward on Canal Road. He tried to start over, creating a carpet cleaning business and going to synagogue every weekend. In some ways, things were looking up.
Then came Katrina.
Ditto found shelter in Houston’s Astrodome and Reliant Center until he met a realtor who brought him and nine others to South Florida. The American Red Cross got them a room in a motel and someone who saw them on the news found Ditto an apartment in Pembroke Pines.
He and Puglisi starting dating the second week of January. Three weeks later, he was charged with first-degree murder, armed home invasion, dealing in stolen property and aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older.
For the most part, Ditto said he’s stayed out of trouble in jail. He’s off his medications for schizophrenia, and he’s not having suicidal thoughts.
When he first got to jail, he was housed in the psychiatric ward. But on March 17, a man accused him of sexual assault and Ditto was put in lockdown for nearly two weeks.
Now, he’s in the west block with one of the area’s most notorious alleged killers -
Jerry Wiggins. He’s the handyman facing the death penalty for allegedly raping and killing Monica Rivera-Valdizan, a 26-year-old Peruvian woman who was working as a nanny in suburban Boca Raton.
Ditto said he passes the time studying his case. He recently wrote a letter to the judge asking permission to fire his attorney and represent himself. Ditto sold his lunch to another inmate to buy a stamped envelope to mail the letter.
He knows the judge is going to tell him he’s mentally incompetent and advise him not to get rid of his attorney.
Ditto said life without parole is not an option.
“I don’t want to plead guilty. I don’t want to go for the insanity defense. I am not guilty.”
Permalink Comments (22) Post your comment Categories:
Stephanie SlaterBy
Shimone May 10, 2006 02:46 PM
Link to thisIt is a crying shame on what happened to that man.
I really loved curious George when I was younger its a shame that being curious had to ultimately cost him his life.I hope his sick killers deep fry real good in that good ole Florida electric CHAIR. (**)
By
Clayton Wilkes May 10, 2006 03:58 PM
Link to thisThat poor bastard. I currently have a son residing in your wonderful penal system for home invasion. He is the same age as Ditto and he is certainly guilty and should be punished for his crime. He also is bi-polar and very non-violent. however, I believe his time there will probably cause irreversible harm. Let’s face it, they don’t rehabilitate, they just incarcerate.
Sad story for all involved
By
david May 10, 2006 05:04 PM
Link to thisAll the real dopes wind up in prison sooner or later, its too bad we all have to pay to house this dadrool for the next 50 years. They should just drill a hole in the earth and stack these morons on top of each other, much cheaper than prison .
By
David May 10, 2006 06:04 PM
Link to thisGreat article. Fortunatelty for us all, not all of these “BAD GUYS” are overly blessed with brain cells. David
By
KB May 10, 2006 08:15 PM
Link to thisIf the suspect had been black this would have been on Fox News and every news channel in America for at least two weeks, with the usual “black crime in America blah blah…” I always find it interesting when whites commit vicious crimes there is never a mention about crime statistics in “white” communities. And typically, almost nary a peep about this.
I must say I was even surprised you ran this suspects picture. Wow! In any event, good article. Very sad. There are some sick people in this world. I pray for the day when people will realize deviance comes in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities.
By
Paul Morris May 10, 2006 09:42 PM
Link to thisYes. Nicely written article. Only one thing: you should have asked this s**t why he doesn’t kill himself and save the taxpayers some money.
By
P.A. Romano May 10, 2006 09:51 PM
Link to thisWell written. Shows grit in reporting. I
don’t think I would have the courage to perform this kind of work. God bless.
By
E. J. May 11, 2006 07:47 AM
Link to thisThis whole goddamn world is f**ked up so you should expect it
By
Glad to be out of WPB May 11, 2006 08:43 AM
Link to thisStephanie - you have great interviewing and writing skills. You have delivered a very detailed and effective article. Thanks.
Mr. Puglisi looks like real scary person with those black bugg eyes. I personally have lived in West Palm Beach, FL for 15 years. Fortunately I escaped with the cloths on my back and my life.
Maybe Ditto was persuaded and manipulated by Mr. Bugg eyes. Sounds like he had some hard luck. I can relate. For the most part the people I ran into or should I say ran into me, were crack heads, liars, users, thiefs, control freaks and back stabbers. They had evil spirits inside them.
For the entire time I resided in WPB, I worked as a Admin. Assist., and even the professional people were messed up filled with jealousy, fear of you exceeding at work, just crazy people.
Sorry for rambling, but I can relate to Ditto’s sad existance.
Florida is a dangerous place.
By
PP May 11, 2006 08:52 AM
Link to thisGreat article Stephanie. This really sheds alot of light on what happened and why. I knew Alan, he often read to the students at several schools in Palm Beach County. I was sadden when I heard the news of his death. Alan didn’t deserve to die at the hands of man just for the love of money or greed. Only GOD will prevail in this case, he’s in charge not man. Alan is missed I never knew what happened to him after he left the schools as a volunter. This situation also tells you that you never know what is in the school system as volunters or just visitors. We have to be careful who you make your friends they very well may be your enemy.
By
Zunny May 11, 2006 09:18 AM
Link to thisGreat article Stephanie. I believe that if this fellow is not guilty, he needs his chance in court to prove so and let a jury of his peers decide, however, I do believe that there was so kind of involvement. May God help them.
By
CURIOUS May 11, 2006 09:45 AM
Link to thisso who is the guy with the BIG YELLOW HATBy
Glad to be out of WPB May 11, 2006 10:24 AM
Link to thisI AGREE I THINK ALLAN WAS A VERY GIVING PERSON WITH ALOT TO OFFER OF HIMSELF. THERE IS SO MUCH CRIME IN SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IT IS VERY SCAREY. THERE ARE SO MANY PREDITORS AND DESPERATE PEOPLE. USUALLY THE GOOD PEOPLE WHO ARE POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND HAVE A GOOD SPIRIT GET TAKEN AND THE ROTTON ONES THAT ARE LIKE LEACHES, CON-ARTISTS, SNEAKY LIARS, ETC…CONTINUE ON. IT SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
CRIME IN SOUTH FLORIDA IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE, PEOPLE WILL BECOME MORE DESPERATE BECAUSE GAS PRICES ON THE RISE AND THE HOUSING SITUATION. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A CLEAR LINE. THERE IS NOT MIDDLE CLASS ANY MORE ITS EITHER RICH OR POOR, THE MIDDLE CLASS IS GETTING PUSHED TO THE POOR SIDE.
SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
By
Glad to be out of WPB May 11, 2006 10:34 AM
Link to thisI AM JUST READING THE HEADLINES OF THE PALM BEACH POST…ON PALM BEACH LAKES BLVD. (I USED TO WORK ON THAT ROAD)PEOPLE ARE GETTING CAR JACKED NOW BY GUNPOINT!!!!. A VETERAN POLICE OFFICER IS SHOT IN THE ARM VIA A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP !!! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN SOUTH FLORIDA. IT IS OUTRAGEOUS.
NOW WITH ALL THE RICH PEOPLE MOVING IN …..INTO THE NEW CONDOS, DEVELOPMENTS, ETC…THEY ARE GOING TO BE THE MAIN TARGETS.
THANK GOD….I AM LIVING IN A PLACE RIGHT NOW THAT YOU CAN LEAVE A $50.00 BILL ON YOUR DASH BOARD OF YOUR CAR WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND UNLOCKED AND GO TO THE STORE COME OUT AND IT IS AS YOU LEFT IT.
By
Glad to be out of WPB May 11, 2006 10:39 AM
Link to thisITS NOT FAIR FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD TO GET WHAT THEY HAVE IN AN HONEST WAY. AND WHO REALLY ENJOY LIVING IN WEST PALM BEACH. THEN HAVE SOME DRUG CRAISED DESPERATE PERSON COME ATTACK YOU FOR YOUR STUFF.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE LAWS IN FLOIRDA ARE GETTING STIFFER AND FIRST TIME OFFENDERS WILL NOT HAVE ANY MERCY. IF YOU GET CAUGHT WITH DRUGS, GUNS, ROBBERY WITH FIRE ARM, DRUNK DRIVING ETC… YOU ARE GOING AWAY FOR A LONG TIME. IT SOUNDS LIKE FLORIDA IS NOT GOING TO TOLERATE IT MUCH MORE.
YOU SEE ….. THE BAD PEOPLE MAKE IT WORSE FOR ALL THE REST.
By
Beaux Artabazon May 11, 2006 01:44 PM
Link to thisI don’t know what to think about Ditto’s alleged confession. If in fact he has a history of mental health issues, his alleged confession should be very closely scrutinized. Puglisi strikes me as pure evil as if he was manipulating Ditto and masterminded the entire crime. On the other hand he may be changing his story now that he realizes the possible penalty. Its very sad that this happened to Mr. Shalleck. Investigate hard and punish with the same severity.
By
Terry H. May 11, 2006 02:58 PM
Link to thisWhat has happened is really tragic and seems confusing, based on the article. The world is full of cruel and wicked people. That’s why you can’t allow people into your home and be so trustworthy of folks. Only God knows what happens and one day they will both meet the maker. It’s really sad that a man that made so many people happy had to lose his life that way. God Bless his soul and also the souls of the accused.
By
candy May 12, 2006 08:39 AM
Link to thisNOT A SINGLE THING ABOUT ANY OF THIS IS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By
Joe May 14, 2006 02:42 AM
Link to thisIts mighty odd that Rex Ditto says this when he admitted to me and two other wittnesses he was guilty and committed the murder. He did this after his arrest and three of us went to visit him at the jail, while we were there he openly discussed it all in front of all three of us, and told us step by step what he did, and admitted it all to all three of us. And we are not police officers,now he claims he wasn’t there, well he admitted it to all three of us.As well as his participation.
By
Pj May 15, 2006 07:07 PM
Link to thisFunny how when people confess their sins to police they always regret it later and say everyone is lying and have conspired to send them to jail.
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