Judge Gives Death Sentence to TikTok Famous Killer Wade Wilson

All right, let the record reflect that state's president, defense counsel, and the defendant are all present.

We're here for sentencing.

Was there anything else that the court needed to address prior to sentencing?

No.

All right.

So I have considered all of the testimony and evidence, arguments of counsel, applicable case law and statutes.

I have prepared a written sentencing order, which I will file contemporaneously with the pronouncement of the sentence

here today.

I also have copies for the State in Defense, which I'll hand out once I conclude.

So in the state of Florida versus Stephen Wade Wilson, or Wade Stephen Wilson, case number 19 CF 568, the court will read aloud the portion of the sentencing order related to the sentencing circumstances and proportionality.

In evaluating the aggravating and mitigating factors, the court does not engage in a mere counting procedure, but instead makes a reasoned judgment based on the totality of the circumstances.

In reaching this decision, the court is mindful that because death is a unique punishment in its finality, its application is reserved only for those cases where the most aggravating and least mitigating circumstances exist.

The law never requires the imposition of a death sentence.

In this case, the totality of the circumstances indicates the defendant, with premeditation, beat and strangled Christine Melton in her home before stealing her vehicle and driving to meet his girlfriend, Melissa Montanez.

After Montanez refused to get into the car with him, the defendant battered her in broad daylight.

The defendant told law enforcement, I'm sorry, when Ms. Montanez managed to flee from the defendant, he fled the scene and drove back to Cape Coral where he decided

that he would murder another person.

He saw Diane Ruiz walking to work and pulled over, pretending to ask for directions.

She got into the car to provide directions, but the defendant strangled her when she tried to exit.

He then drove to an empty lot, strangling her into unconsciousness at least one additional time on the way there.

When she tried to flee from the car, he drove over her at least one time, inflicting mortal injuries to her spine, ribs, and neck.

The evidence showed that both murders were heinous, atrocious, and cruel, and that the second murder was cold, calculated, and premeditated.

The defendant inflicted serious physical and emotional pain to the victims.

Moreover, the defendant committed murders while on probation for prior felony convictions, and he committed two first-degree murders contemporaneously with each other and with Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Battery, and Berkeley of a Dwelling.

There were no statutory mitigating circumstances that were established, but the court considered the non-statutory mitigating circumstances presented by the defendant.

Out of 13 enumerated non-statutory mitigating factors, the court found that 10 had been established.

Out of those established, six were given little weight.

The totality of the mitigating circumstances indicates that the defendant suffers from drug use from a young age, along with undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues of some kind.

He felt abandoned by his biological parents, but had a devoted adoptive family who raised him in a supportive and loving environment.

Defendant did not resist law enforcement when arrested and confessed fully to both murders.

The court is further considered in giving great weight to the advisory verdict of the jury, who recommended that the death penalty be imposed immediately.

by a vote of nine to three on count one for the murder of Christine Melton and a vote of 10 to two on count four for the murder of Diane Ruiz.

The court recognizes that there is no mathematical formula for considering the aggravating and mitigating factors.

It is not enough to weigh the number of aggravators against the number of mitigators.

The court carefully considered the nature and quality of each aggravator and mitigator.

Having reviewed all of the aggravating factors proven beyond a reasonable doubt and all of the mitigating circumstances reasonably established by the evidence, the court finds that the aggravating factors greatly outweigh mitigating circumstances.

Given the facts of the case, nothing in defendant's background or mental state would suggest that a death sentence is inappropriate.

This court's review of other reported capital cases has led the court to conclude that the death penalty is not disproportionate in this case.

Under the totality of the circumstances and evidence, the court finds no basis to override the jury's verdict.

The totality of the circumstances warrants that the defendant, Wade Stephen Wilson, be sentenced to death for each count of first-degree murder.

Accordingly, it is ordered of the judge that the defendant, Wade Stephen Wilson, be sentenced as follows.

Count one, first-degree murder of Christine Melton.

The defendant is hereby sentenced to death.

Count two, grand theft of a motor vehicle.

The defendant is sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Count three, battery.

The defendant is hereby sentenced to 364 days in the Lee County Jail.

Count four, first degree murder of Diane Ruiz.

The defendant is hereby sentenced to death.

Count five, the burglary of a dwelling.

The defendant is hereby sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Count six,

Petty theft, the defendant is hereby sentenced to 364 days in Lee County Jail.

The defendant is given credit for all time served on this case on all counts.

All counts are to run concurrent with each other, meaning at the same time.

All statutorily mandated fines, fees, and costs as announced on the record are imposed, and the defendant is committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for execution of this sentence as provided by law.

The defendant is hereby notified that these convictions and sentences are

are subject to automatic review by the Florida Supreme Court.

If he cannot afford an attorney to represent him in any appeal, the court will appoint one for him.

Are there any other matters to present to the court?

I'm sorry, how much?

All right.

Any objection?

All right.

That will be imposed then.

Any other terms or conditions?

Absolutely, Judge.

We just want to make sure that Mr. Wilson has absolutely no contact with the victim's family.

There will be no contact ordered with any of the victim's family members and anything else.

There are.

Thank you.

All right.

Judge, I understand he has other cases pending here elsewhere.

Mr. Wilson.

get him to death row as soon as possible.

Okay.

Well, in relation to those other cases, I know we have cases pending here in the circuit.

Today is not the day to handle those.

I would maybe put those, I could do it as early as September 16th.

I believe that's Monday morning.

That's Malcolm's case.

Yes, Your Honor.

September 16th would be fine, but

Okay.

Well, I think it would be more appropriate to handle that at a different time.

So let's do that September 16th then at 9 a.m. for the other cases.

What's your case numbers?

20 CF 16591 and 23 CF 15499.

Okay.

And we do have court on the 16th, right?

Yes, Your Honor.

Okay.

Judge, if I may, he also has a VOP warrant out of Broward County.

Palm Beach County.

I'm going to get in touch with the authorities over there, but if need be, we'll ask the court to ROR him on that VOP warrant so he can be taken up to... Well, it's not a motion in front of me today, but if you're certainly able to file whatever you want to file, I'll consider it.

Thank you.

All right.

Anything else?

Not from the state judge.

All right, sir.

Then, Mr. Wilson, you will be fingerprinted and remanded

to the Sheriff's Department.

It will be held without bond and for transport to the Department of Corrections when it's appropriate.

If nothing else, then we're adjourned.

And I'll give you your copies.

Mr. Shirley or Mr. Hollander?

One for the state, one for the defense.

Thank you.