The first convicted murderer in the state to face death following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ controversial law change is Wade Wilson, a Florida man who could be sentenced to death on Tuesday.
In April 2023, DeSantis signed a law that reduced the requirement for jurors to recommend a death sentence from a unanimous decision to an 8-4 majority in favor.
According to experts, this shift has rendered capital resentencing and trials into a “quintessential game of chance” for individuals who are facing the death penalty.
In October 2019, Wilson, 30, murdered Kristine Meton and Diane Ruiz within hours of each other.
📍Wade Wilson, The Real Life Joker.. IMO The 30-year-old Florida man was convicted of killing Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, within hours of each other in October 2019.
✅Today he was sentenced to death. pic.twitter.com/BAm1485bsx
— iCkEdMeL ☀🔎🔥 (@iCkEdMeL) August 27, 2024
On October 6, 2019, Wilson encountered Melton at a live-music venue and accompanied her home.
He strangled her to death at her residence in Cape Coral the following day, and her body was subsequently discovered.
Ruiz was observed strolling down the street as he was driving her vehicle.
After he requested her assistance with directions, she entered the vehicle. Wilson repeatedly ran over her with the vehicle after strangling her.
In June, the death penalty was recommended by nine of the 12 jurors for the murder of Melton and by 10 for the murder of Ruiz.
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