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Lee County judge to issue highly anticipated decision in Wade Wilson case on Tuesday

After two months of uncertainty, a Lee County judge will decide Tuesday whether Wade Wilson will spend the rest of his life in prison or receive the death penalty. A jury found Wilson guilty of six crimes, including the premeditated murder of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, which occurred on Oct. 7, 2019, in Cape Coral. Nine of the 12 jurors recommended the death penalty for Melton's murder. Ten of them recommended the death penalty for Ruiz's June 25, 2024 murder. After the trial, Wilson's defense attorneys tried to request a retrial or acquittal, both requests were denied. We'll find out if Wilson's MRI and CT scans revealed any type of brain injury that could potentially influence Judge Nicholas Thompson's decision. According to court documents, a neurologist believes Wilson may have suffered brain damage from previous injuries and needs further testing. Additionally, numerous letters have been sent to Thompson at the Lee County Courthouse, all asking for one thing: that Wilson be given a chance at life. The letters suggest that Wilson deserves a chance at rehabilitation, not death. Wilson's hearing in Spencer is scheduled for 9 a.m., with the judge's decision expected at 2 p.m. You can count on NBC2 to be in the courtroom when Thompson announces whether he will follow the jury's recommendation for the death penalty or sentence Wilson to life in prison.

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

After two months of uncertainty, a judge in Lee County will decide Tuesday whether Wade Wilson will spend the rest of his life in prison or receive the death penalty.

A jury found Wilson guilty on six counts, including the premeditated murder of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, which occurred on October 7, 2019 in Cape Coral.

Nine of the twelve jurors recommended the death penalty for Melton's murder. Ten of them recommended the death penalty for Ruiz's murder on June 25, 2024.

After the trial, Wilson's defense attorneys attempted to request a retrial or acquittal, but both requests were denied.

We will find out whether Wilson's MRI and CT scans revealed any type of brain injury that could potentially impact Judge Nicholas Thompson's decision.

According to court documents, a neurologist believes Wilson may have suffered brain damage due to previous injuries and further testing is needed.

In addition, numerous letters addressed to Thompson were sent to the Lee County District Court, all asking for one thing: to give Wilson a chance at life.

The letters make it clear that Wilson deserves a chance at rehabilitation, not death.

Wilson's Spencer hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m., with the judge's decision expected to be announced at 2 p.m.

You can expect NBC2 to be in the courtroom when Thompson announces whether he will follow the jury's recommendation for the death penalty or sentence Wilson to life in prison.

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