Wade Wilson, the Florida man who could be sentenced to death on Tuesday, is the first convicted murderer in the state to face the death penalty under Governor Ron DeSantis' controversial law change.
DeSantis signed legislation in April 2023 that reduced the requirement for a jury to recommend a death sentence from a unanimous decision to an 8-4 vote. Experts argue that this change has made resentencing and trials a “lucky gamble” for those facing the death penalty.
Wilson, 30, killed Kristine Meton and Diane Ruiz within hours of each other in October 2019.
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Wilson met 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.
He took her car and was driving off when he saw Ruiz walking down the street. She got into the car after he asked her for directions. Wilson strangled her and then ran over her repeatedly with the car.
In June, nine of the 12 jurors recommended the death penalty for Melton's murder and ten for Ruiz's murder.
Newsweek has reached out to DeSantis and Wilson's attorneys' office for comment.
In Florida, prisoners have the choice of being executed by electric chair or lethal injection.
In Florida, death row inmates have the right to an appeals process, which includes direct appeals and requests for post-conviction relief.
This process can be lengthy and requires thorough review by higher courts to ensure that the process was fair and all legal standards were met.
Wilson will learn what will happen to him on Tuesday afternoon. Before sentencing, Wilson will have a Spencer hearing where he can address the judge if he wishes.
Death penalty for child sex offenders
DeSantis also signed a law in May 2023 that extends the death penalty to people convicted of sex crimes against children.
At the time, he said the law could represent a challenge to a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared the death penalty unconstitutional in child sexual abuse cases. DeSantis wants the court to reconsider that decision.
“This bill creates a process to challenge that precedent and say that in Florida, we believe the worst crimes deserve the worst punishment,” DeSantis said.
In December, District Attorney William Gladson announced that he would seek the death penalty for 36-year-old Joseph Giampa, a Florida man convicted of forcing a girl under the age of 12 to perform sexual acts.
DeSantis addressed the charges against X, writing: “[Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office] has my full support.”
Giampa was finally sentenced to life imprisonment in February.
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Two death sentences in one life
For the second time in his life, a jury last week decided that Pinkney “Chip” Carter of Jacksonville should be executed.
In 2002, the now 70-year-old murdered his ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Reed, her 16-year-old daughter Courtney Smith and Reed's new boyfriend Glen Pafford. Carter was re-sentenced to the death penalty due to the change in the law, but ultimately received the same result.
Carter is scheduled to have another sentencing hearing in mid-October, where the judge will decide his fate.
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