A man with Nazi tattoos who brutally murdered two women in Florida was sentenced to death on Tuesday, a decision met with emotional reactions in the courtroom.
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Wade Wilson’s Sentencing
Wade Wilson, a 30-year-old convicted murderer, remained expressionless as the death sentence was read out in a Lee County, Florida courtroom. As the judge pronounced the sentence, the gallery erupted in cheers and applause. Wilson had chosen not to speak during the proceedings.
Convictions for Brutal Murders
In June, Wilson was found guilty of two counts of first-degree felony murder and two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. The victims, Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, were both killed by Wilson on October 6, 2019, in Cape Coral, Florida. He strangled the women within hours of each other.
The jury’s decision to recommend the death penalty was nearly unanimous, with a 9-3 vote for Melton’s murder and a 10-2 vote for Ruiz’s. Under Florida law, at least eight out of 12 jurors must support the death penalty for it to be considered by the judge.
Aggravating Factors and Legal Arguments
For the death penalty to be imposed, the jury had to establish that the crimes involved aggravating factors. In this case, they determined that the murders were heinous, atrocious, or cruel. They also noted that Wilson had committed the crimes while on parole for a previous felony.
During a hearing on Tuesday morning, Wilson’s attorney, Lee Hollander, argued against the death penalty, urging the court to consider life imprisonment instead. Hollander asked Judge Nicholas R. Thompson to evaluate whether Wilson had the capacity to understand the criminal nature of his actions or if his judgment was significantly impaired at the time of the murders.
“We’d ask the court to take into consideration that death is permanent,” Hollander pleaded. This sentiment was echoed by Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner, who added, “Mr. Wilson’s decisions were not only pitiless and conscienceless, but they amounted to tragically reducing Ms. Melton, as well as Ms. Ruiz, to nothing more than memories and photographs.”
The Horrific Details of the Crimes
Prosecutors revealed chilling details about the murders during the trial. Wilson met Kristine Melton at a live music bar before accompanying her to her home, where he strangled her to death. Her body was later discovered at the scene.
After leaving Melton’s residence, Wilson encountered Diane Ruiz walking along a Cape Coral street. He was driving a car he had stolen from Melton’s home. Wilson approached Ruiz, asking for directions, and she got into the car. When Ruiz attempted to exit the vehicle, Wilson violently strangled her and then repeatedly ran her over with the car, causing devastating injuries. The court heard that Ruiz’s body was left unrecognizable.
The trial revealed the extent of the injuries inflicted on the victims. Melton had bruises on her face and body, hemorrhages on her neck, and severe internal injuries, including contusions on her lungs, liver, bladder, and colon. Ruiz suffered a nasal bone fracture, a laceration on her left breast, bruises on both sides of her body, and multiple rib fractures.
Judge’s Final Decision
The final decision on whether Wilson would receive the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole rested with Judge Thompson. He had to weigh the aggravating factors identified by the jury against any mitigating circumstances, including Wilson’s mental state and background.
“Given the facts of the case, nothing in the defendant’s background or mental state would suggest that a death sentence is inappropriate,” Judge Thompson declared before sentencing Wilson to death.
Appeals for Mercy and Mental Health Concerns
Before the sentencing, three women wrote letters to Judge Thompson, urging him to spare Wilson’s life. They cited his history of mental health issues, substance abuse, and lack of parental support as reasons for mercy.
Lindsay Brann, a mother from Alberta, Canada, wrote, “With regards to the Wade Wilson case, it appears clearly documented that Mr. Wilson suffers from mental health issues that appear to be severely aggravated by the use of drugs,” according to court records.
Wilson’s adoptive parents also submitted a letter describing him as “a joyful child” who “loved his parents.” They claimed that his drug addiction led to delusional behavior, which they believed contributed to the murders. An expert witness testified that Wilson had used drugs the night before the killings.
During the legal proceedings, it was also revealed that Wilson had been hospitalized while in jail due to a fentanyl overdose.
