A MAN convicted of a double murder and recommended for the death penalty has been seen giving the judge a chilling smirk in court.
Wade Wilson was found guilty of 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing two women in 2019 in Cape Coral, Florida.
Wade Wilson, pictured in court, was found guilty of two 2019 murdersCredit: Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florid
Wilson went viral on social media due to his appearance and chilling reactions in courtCredit: Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florid
Wilson was convicted of 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing Kristine Melton (pictured above) and Diane RuizCredit: Facebook/kristine.melton.79
Wilson has also been recommended for the death penalty for the murders of Melton and Ruiz (pictured above)Credit: Fox 4
Wilson, 30, went viral online following his court appearance, especially due to his tattoos.
The murderer had a large swastika tattooed on the side of his half-shaved head.
He also had another swastika tattooed below his right eye and scar lines around his mouth.
Wilson was found guilty on June 12 of 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing and strangling Kristine Melton the morning after they met at a bar.
He was also convicted of strangling, beating, and running over Diane Ruiz on the same day.
Ten of the 12 jurors voted in favor of handing Wilson the death penalty, on June 25, for Ruiz’s murder and nine voted in favor for Melton’s murder.
Eight jury votes are needed to pass a capital punishment penalty in Florida.
Wilson was shamed by social media users for his unsettling behavior in court as the jurors were told his crimes, according to Fox News.
He was branded as “soulless” for “smirking” during his court session.
“Note the psychopathic smirk on the face of the serial strangler,” one X user said.
Judge Nicholas Thompson will decide Wilson’s death penalty, with the hearing scheduled on July 23.
The Florida Assistant State Attorney, Sara Miller, shared her views on Wilson possibly being handed the death sentence.
“You know, you’re asking someone to take another life, and so it’s always a difficult thing,” she told Fox affiliate KDFW.
“I think in this case it was a justified act given the horrific nature of this case.
“Both murders were especially heinous, atrocious and cruel.
“He inflicted pain, and he showed utter indifference to her [Melton’s] life.”
THE VICTIMS
Kristine Melton, 35, moved to Cape Coral from Illinois and worked as a waitress.
She met Wilson, who was 25 at the time, at a bar on October 7, 2019, with her friend Stephanie Sailors, according to News-Press.com.
The trio went to Melton’s property that night and she was murdered by Wilson after Sailors left the next morning.
Wilson then stole his first victim’s car and asked Diane Ruiz, 43, for directions, when he saw her walking alone on the street.
Ruiz was an engaged mother who worked as a bartender.
Wilson attempted to coax Ruiz into the car but he beat and strangled her when she attempted to get away.
The murderer then pushed her out of the vehicle and ran her over multiple times.