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Wade Wilson sentenced to death for murder of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz

Five years after the deaths of Diane Ruiz and Kristine Melton, family members say they want to end their silence; the father will attend the execution.

The relatives of two women brutally murdered in Cape Coral in 2019 hugged, sighed, cried and clapped after the presiding judge sentenced the convicted murderer to death.

After taking more than an hour and a half to review additional evidence presented by the defense, Lee Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Thompson sentenced Wade Wilson, 30, of Fort Myers, to death for the brutal deaths of two Cape Coral women in 2019.

“Two beautiful and wonderful women who had their whole lives ahead of them and were cherished and loved by their family, their friends and their community,” said Amira Fox, United States Attorney for the 20th Judicial District, after announcing their names: Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43.

Melton and Ruiz's families said their silence throughout the trial was key to the death sentence.

“We all really stayed silent because it was so important to the integrity of this case,” Melton's cousin, who asked to be identified as Samantha Kelly, said during a news conference after Thompson's decision, later adding, “We are tired of being silent. So I will say this will not be the last time Wade Wilson sees us in a courtroom.”

She described the time between the deaths and the verdict as “five years of torment.”

Diane Ruiz's father: Decision “is not the end”

Ruiz's father, Felix Ruiz, said he wanted to be present at Wade Wilson's execution, which could take years.

“I couldn't tell her I love her,” said Felix Ruiz. “I miss her.”

Felix Ruiz said Tuesday's decision on the death penalty was “not the end.”

“The end is his last breath and I will be present at the execution,” said Felix Ruiz.

A jury convicted 30-year-old Wade Wilson of the murders on June 12 and recommended the death penalty after considering the circumstances.

Wilson appeared emotionless, occasionally leaning over to speak to his attorney as the charges against him were read again. Thompson upheld the jury's recommendation and sentenced him to death on all counts.

A Spencer hearing in the morning lasted 90 minutes, during which Thompson heard arguments from defense attorneys Lee Hollander and Kevin Shirley and assistant district attorneys Sara Miller and Andreas Gardiner.

Thompson announced Wilson's fate around 4:30 p.m.

Judge reviewed last-minute motions in Wade Wilson case

Court sessions began shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday. Defense attorney Kevin Shirley said he expected a witness to testify during a Spencer hearing, where the defense will be allowed to present additional evidence about the crime.

Dr. Mark Rubino, a neurologist, testified that he met Wilson last week, who was handcuffed and behind glass for the neurological exam while two officers watched.

“He became paranoid because they were watching him,” Rubino said.

He noticed that Wilson had unusual eye movements, which he attributed to brain damage. When asked to draw a clock, he drew two “X's.”

Rubino said he found signs that could be related to Parkinson's disease, but also indicate that he was receiving psychiatric treatment.

The doctor said his findings indicated Wilson suffered head injuries resulting from two accidents in which different drivers crashed into trees.

Rubino said Wilson suffered concussions playing football and baseball. He said he ordered tests for Wilson after noticing signs of brain damage.

The neurologist presented his findings in a PowerPoint presentation, including images of Wilson's brain. He said one of the brain ventricles was larger than the others, but did not rule out the possibility of hydrocephalus.

According to the website VeryWell Health, brain ventricles are cavities in the brain that produce and store cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid surrounds your brain and spinal cord, cushioning them and protecting them from trauma.

Rubino said Wilson's ventricles are small for his age and he has some damage to his frontal lobe.

The neurologist said he came to two conclusions. Rubino concluded that cognitive and emotional disturbances led to poorer behavior and less thinking. He also said he found evidence of a brain injury.

The cross-examination began with questions from Assistant District Attorney Andreas Gardiner, who prosecuted the case along with Assistant District Attorney Sara Miller.

When Gardiner began asking questions, Rubino told him, “You can't fake brain damage.” The doctor then referred to the brutal murders.

“The crime itself suggests that he suffered some kind of harm,” Rubino said.

“You're making a lot of assumptions in this particular case. Aren't you, Doctor?” Gardiner asked Rubino.

Rubino said he suspects these are genuine head injuries, but he has no records confirming the incidents. He said Wilson has reduced brain mass.

“He has been struggling with mental health issues for a long time,” Rubino said.

After a brief silence, Shirley returned to the podium and confirmed that Wilson had suffered a traumatic brain injury that he had not reported to Rubino.

Rubino said he was aware that Wilson had taken drugs the night before the murders, adding that these do not match well with his brain injuries.

The neurologist said the murders were likely caused by a combination of Wilson's brain injuries and the drugs he had consumed the night before.

Wade Wilson's adoptive parents are pleading to save his life

Shirley read a letter to the court that Wilson's adoptive parents, Steve and Candy Wilson, had written.

“It's been five years now,” Shirley read. “Wade was a happy child. He loved his parents,” they wrote. They said Wilson became delusional after his addiction began.

Cindy and Steve Wilson wrote: “The human is still in there.”

“Please take heed and do not take our son away from us,” the Wilsons wrote.

State calls in medical experts

Dr. Thomas Coyne, a forensic pathologist and neuropathologist, then testified on behalf of the state.

Coyne said he disagreed with Rubino's findings and went through every point of Rubino's presentation. He did not provide his own presentation and confirmed that he had not investigated Wilson.

The neuropathologist further elaborated on his explanation by saying that he saw no signs of atrophy and reported a “normally structured adult brain.”

Coyne said it was “difficult” to draw conclusions from a single examination, citing Rubino's meeting with Wilson last week. He said the brain damage was linked to drug use.

Lawyer asks to save Wade Wilson's life

“When a judge takes office, we hope he won't have to make a decision like this,” Shirley said. He asked Thompson to consider Wilson's level of disability, later adding, “We don't know what kind of treatment he will receive on death row. He needs treatment.”

Shirley alluded to Wilson's family history and the fact that his biological mother suffered from addiction.

Shirley continued to fight for Wilson's life, reminding Thompson that Wilson would not have been eligible for the death penalty under previous law, which required a unanimous vote for the death penalty.

Prosecutor’s office responds: “The capital crime was heinous, cruel and cruel”

The public prosecutor now supports the death penalty.

“The capital crime was heinous, cruel and savage,” Gardiner said.

Gardiner said Wilson let Melton and Ruiz's lives slip through his fingers. He overpowered them and silenced them.

The prosecutor stressed that Wilson had no history of brain injury.

“He has the ability to recount events the way he wants,” Gardiner said.

Prosecutors and police chief comment

After the verdict, Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore spoke of “horrific crimes” because the murders of Melton and Ruiz had prompted him to represent the community.

“I pray that today's outcome can somehow close this chapter so that we can start a new chapter,” he said.

Miller stressed that moments like Tuesday's verdict are for the victims and their families.

“Behind every true crime show, crime podcast and criminal trial there is a real victim with family and friends who love them, and this case is no different,” Miller said. “Behind this case were two families who had suffered great and unimaginable losses. No family can imagine ending up in our office and meeting with strangers in the hopes of finding justice.”

Gardiner added: “The decision to seek the death penalty was not taken lightly.”

“[It] requires a great deal of thought and consideration,” Gardiner said, later adding: “The defendant killed for the sake of killing … and it was nothing more than a vulgar display of power.”

Tomas Rodriguez is a breaking/live news reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Reach Tomas at [email protected] or 772-333-5501. Reach him on threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

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