Female fans of Deadpool Killer Wade Wilson plead for his life amid death sentence for brutal murders

Wade Wilson, infamously known as the "Deadpool Killer," was sentenced to death on Tuesday, August 27, for the brutal slayings of two women in Florida.

The 30-year-old from Fort Myers remained stoic as Judge Nicholas Thompson of Lee Circuit Court announced the sentence. Judge Thompson described the murders as "heinous, atrocious, and cruel," emphasizing that the second killing was "cold, calculated, and premeditated."

Wilson had been found guilty in June of two counts of first-degree felony murder and two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. He strangled Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, within hours on October 6, 2019, in Cape Coral. The jury recommended the death penalty with a 9-3 vote for Melton and a 10-2 vote for Ruiz. Florida law mandates that a death sentence requires approval from at least eight out of twelve jurors.

The jury identified aggravating factors in the crimes, including their "heinous, atrocious, or cruel" nature and Wilson's status as a convicted felon. During the hearing, Wilson's attorney, Lee Hollander, argued for two life sentences instead of the death penalty, citing Wilson's possible mental impairment. Hollander urged the court to consider that death is irreversible. Prosecutor Andreas Gardiner countered, arguing that Wilson's actions were "pitiless and without conscience," reducing Melton and Ruiz to mere memories and photographs.

Prosecutors revealed that Wilson met Melton at a live music bar before killing her at her home. After the murder, he stole her car and later found Ruiz on a street in Cape Coral. Pretending to seek directions, Wilson strangled Ruiz and then ran her over multiple times. The two victims were not acquainted. The court was presented with disturbing details about their injuries: Melton suffered severe bruising, hemorrhages, and contusions on her organs, while Ruiz had multiple fractures, lacerations, and extensive bruising.

Judge Thompson, who made the final decision on Wilson's sentencing, balanced the aggravating factors against any mitigating circumstances. He concluded that, given the case's facts, there was nothing in Wilson's background or mental state to suggest a death sentence was unwarranted.

Prior to the hearing, three women wrote to Judge Thompson pleading for Wilson’s life to be spared, citing his mental health issues, substance abuse problems, and lack of parental support. Lindsay Brann, a mother from Alberta, Canada, noted in her letter, "It appears clearly documented that Mr. Wilson suffers from mental health issues that are severely aggravated by drug use."