Live updates on Wade Wilson: Florida killer learns whether he faces life or death

Wilson's development in photos

2007: 6th grade

2012: 11th grade

2024: Age 30

Death penalty at stake

In a letter filed on 3 July and signed by NewsweekWilson's legal team claims that Florida's new death penalty law violates Wilson's constitutional rights.

In April of last year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill allowing the death penalty if at least eight of the 12 jurors vote in favor. During the trial in June, nine of the 12 jurors recommended that Wilson be sentenced to death for Melton's murder.

Ten of the twelve jurors also recommended that Wilson be sentenced to death for Ruiz's murder.

If Wilson is sentenced to death, he will be one of three men in Florida on death row under the new law.

READ MORE from Newsweek Erin Keller

Attorney Kevin Shirley has arrived

Spencing hearing imminent

Erin Keller from Newsweek live at the verdict

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

Follow us for updates.

WATCH: Wade Wilson Sentencing: Newsweek's Live Coverage

Security measures ahead of Spencer hearing

Courthouse security reports a normal morning despite rumors of protests against Wade Wilson.

Wade Wilson: “I would do it again”

During a prison interrogation, Wade Wilson reportedly told investigators, “I would do it again,” implying that he had a desire to kill more people.

Who is Diane Ruiz?

Diane Ruiz was reported missing on October 7.

The bartender was walking to her job at a nearby bar when Wade Wilson approached her in a car he had stolen from Melton's house and asked for directions.

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

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

Romero testified that his mother's death occurred just days before his debut in the high school marching band, which she watched with great joy.

“I never saw her in the crowd,” Romero said. “My mother will never see my wedding.”

Who is Kristine Melton?

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

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

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

“Kristine will never experience being a mother, a role she was born for,” Catomer said tearfully.

What is a Spencer hearing?

Wade Wilson's Spencer hearing, during which he can address the judge at his leisure, is scheduled for 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 of relevance and fairness. The hearing helps protect the defendant's right to a fair trial by examining evidence that could improperly influence the jury.

At a Spencer hearing, named after the 1993 case Spencer v. State, a judge typically assesses whether certain evidence—often related to a defendant's criminal past or other background information—is relevant and should be admitted during trial.

Cold-blooded killer on camera

Wade Wilson's Spencer hearing: The cold-blooded killer's last chance to speak

A Florida man faces the death penalty for strangling two Cape Coral women “for the purpose of killing.”

Wade Wilson, 30, was found guilty on June 12 of killing Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, within a few hours in October 2019.

Wilson's Spencer hearing, where he will have the opportunity to address the judge at his own discretion, will take place today at 9 a.m. The verdict will be announced 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 of relevance and fairness. The hearing helps protect the defendant's right to a fair trial by examining evidence that could improperly influence the jury.

READ MORE from Newsweek Erin Keller