Wade Wilson murders: Explaining the death penalty in Florida
Death penalty in Florida: What you should know
In Florida, convictions for capital crimes are punishable by death. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the death penalty in the Sunshine State.
Wade Wilson, a Fort Myers man convicted of murdering two Cape Coral women in 2019, faces the death penalty.
After weighing aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the jury in Wilson’s trial recommended that he be sentenced to death for the brutal murder of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in Cape Coral.
Although the jury voted for the death penalty, it is now up to Judge Nicholas Thompson to impose the sentence. Wilson’s sentencing is scheduled for July 23.
Here’s what you should know about the death penalty in Florida and the verdict against Wade Wilson:
Capital crimes punishable by death in Florida
Capital crimes, including premeditated murder and rape, are punishable by death or life imprisonment in Florida.
The imposition of a penalty is decided in the context of the sentencing procedure, taking into account aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
DeSantis’ 2023 law makes child rape in Florida the death penalty
In May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law imposing the death penalty for convictions of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault resulting in injury to a child under the age of 12.
“In Florida, we stand for the protection of children,” DeSantis said. “We believe that in the most serious cases, the only appropriate punishment is the maximum penalty.”
In Florida, juries do not have to vote unanimously on the death penalty
Florida juries had until April 2023 to vote unanimously to recommend the death penalty. Then Governor Ron DeSantis lowered the hurdle by signing a law allowing juries to recommend the death penalty with just eight votes.
Wilson’s jury voted 9 to 3 and 10 to 2 for the death sentence.
Lethal injection or electric chair? Death row inmates in Florida have the choice
In Florida, people sentenced to death can choose between two methods of execution.
Death sentences are normally carried out by lethal injection, but the convicted person has the option of choosing death by the electric chair instead.
Once the Florida Supreme Court confirms the conviction, the convicted person must submit a written request for execution by electric chair to the prison warden within 30 days.
Where is Florida’s death row?
Male death row inmates are housed on death row at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, 45 miles southwest of Jacksonville.
The Lowell Annex in Ocala holds female prisoners sentenced to death.
Where are executions carried out in Florida?
Executions in Florida – by lethal injection and electric chair – take place in the execution chamber of the Florida State Prison in Raiford.
The executioner is a private citizen who receives $150 per execution. Under Florida law, the executioner may remain anonymous.
Murders of Wade Wilson
Kristine Melton, 35, grew up in Illinois and moved with a friend to Cape Coral, where she worked as a waitress.
Melton and her friend Stephanie Sailor met Wilson, then 25, at a bar in Cape Coral on October 7, 2019. That morning, the trio ended up at Melton’s semi-detached house.
After the sailors left, Wilson strangled Melton in her bed while she slept and stole her car.
Diane Ruiz, 43, was a mother, engaged and worked as a bartender.
Shortly after killing Melton, Wilson saw Ruiz walking down a street in Cape Coral and asked her for directions to a nearby school.
Wilson lured her into the car and when she tried to get out, he beat and strangled her before pushing her out of the car and running over her ten to twenty times.
Her body was found three days later in a field with vultures circling above her.
Verdict against Wade Wilson
On June 12, 2024, Wilson was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, grand larceny, assault, burglary, and petty theft.
In determining the sentence, the jury voted 9 to 3 and 10 to 2 for the death penalty for the murder convictions.
Judge Nicholas Thompson will decide whether to impose the death sentence.
The verdict is scheduled for July 23.
Where is Wade Wilson now?
Wilson is currently being held in the Lee County Jail.
Once his sentence is announced and other unrelated charges are resolved, he will be transferred to the Florida prison system.
If the judge confirms the death penalty in his case, Wilson will be among 276 men on death row at Union Correctional Institution.
Wade Wilson’s first appearance for first-degree murder
Wade Wilson makes his initial court appearance in Fort Myers on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, via video chat from the Lee County Jail.
Amanda Inscore, [email protected]
Contributor: Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press
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