Wade Wilson Live Updates: Florida Killer Learns Fate of Life or Death Row

Newsweek’s Erin Keller Live at Sentencing

Newsweek’s Erin Keller is live in Fort Myers, FL ahead of Wade Wilson’s sentencing for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz.

Follow along for updates.

WATCH: Wade Wilson’s Penalty Sentencing: Newsweek’s Live Coverage

Security Ahead of Spencer Hearing

Courthouse security reports a normal morning despite protest rumors for Wade Wilson.

Wade Wilson: ‘I would do it again’

In a jailhouse interview, Wade Wilson allegedly told detectives, “I would do it again,” hinting at a desire to kill more people.

Who is Diane Ruiz?

Diane Ruiz was reported missing on Oct. 7.

The bartender was walking to work at a nearby bar when Wade Wilson approached her in a car he stole from Melton’s home, asking for directions.

Ruiz got in the car where Wilson strangled her and “ran her over until she looked like spaghetti,” Wilson’s dad said his son admitted during his testimony. Ruiz’s body was found on October 10 in a field behind a Sam’s Club.

Ruiz was the mother of two sons: Brandon Cuellar, 29, and Zane Romero, 19.

Romero testified that his mother’s death happened just days before his debut in the high school marching band, which she was excited to see.

“I never got to see her in the crowd,” Romero said. “My mom will never get to see me get married.”

Who is Kristine Melton?

Wade Wilson met Kristine Melton at a live-music bar and went home with her on Oct. 6, 2019. The next day, he strangled her to death in her Cape Coral home where her body was discovered, Fox 4 reported from the trial.

Melton was remembered as a cat lover and great friend during the trial, according to News-Press. Her friend since high school, Stephanie Sailors, 41, testified that she and Melton lived in Colorado before moving to Cape Coral together and were servers at the same restaurant.

Melton’s cousin, Samantha Catomer, testified that Melton was the quick-witted godmother to her child who made everyone feel safe and understood, the outlet reported.

“Kristine will never experience motherhood, a role she was born to play,” Catomer said through tears.

What Is a Spencer Hearing?

Wade Wilson’s Spencer hearing, where he can address the judge if he chooses, is at 9 a.m.

The goal of a Spencer hearing is to ensure that the evidence is not prejudicial to the defendant and meets legal standards for relevance and fairness. The hearing helps protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial by scrutinizing evidence that might unduly influence the jury.

Named after the 1993 Spencer vs. State case, a Spencer hearing typically involves a judge evaluating whether specific evidence, often related to a defendant’s prior criminal history or other background information, is relevant and should be admitted during the trial.

Cold-Blooded Killer on Camera

Wade Wilson’s Spencer Hearing: Cold-Blooded Killer’s Last Chance to Speak

A Florida man could face the death penalty after strangling two Cape Coral women “for the sake of killing.”

Wade Wilson, 30, was convicted on June 12 of killing Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, within hours of each other back in October 2019.

Wilson’s Spencer hearing, where he can address the judge if he chooses, is at 9 a.m. today, followed by his sentencing at 2 p.m.

The goal of a Spencer hearing is to ensure that the evidence is not prejudicial to the defendant and meets legal standards for relevance and fairness. The hearing helps protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial by scrutinizing evidence that might unduly influence the jury.

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