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Florida v Wade Wilson

Wade Wilson strangled two women to death within hours of each other in Cape Coral, Florida.  The victims were unrelated to each other.  The first victim was Kristine Melton, found dead in in her home on October 7, 2019.  Diane Ruiz was reported missing the same day, and found three days later behind a Sam's Club store, brutally beaten and run over with a car in addition to being strangled.  Wilson had met Kristine Melton in a bar in the area, and had lured Diane Ruiz into his car pretending to ask for directions.​​​​​

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Case Details

​Victim(s):

  1. Kristine Melton, age 35

  2. Diane Ruiz, age 43​

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Charge(s): ​

  1. first degree premeditated murder, for Kristine Melton

  2. first degree premeditated murder, for Diane Ruiz

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Where:

  • Lee County, Florida

    • Cape Coral, Florida

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When:

  • Event Date: October 7, 2019 

  • Arrest Date: was in custody on unrelated battery charges, indicted on these charges in Nov. 2022

  • Trial Dates:  6/10/24 - 6/12/24

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​​​Verdict: 

  1. Guilty both counts. Jury recommends death sentence.

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Sentencing hearing: July 25, 2024

Multiple aggravating factors argued in a "Spencer" hearing before the judge before sentencing.

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Sentence:  August 27, 2024

Sentenced to death.  Aggravating factors include felony parole during the commission of the crimes convicted, that the two murders were so close in time (contemporaneous) and that they were particularly heinous, cruel and calculated.

 

​Notes:

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