Wade Wilson, the Florida man facing the death penalty for murdering two women in 2019, has a history of causing trouble, even behind bars.
A judge is scheduled to sentence the tattoo-covered 30-year-old to either death or life in prison on August 27 for the killings of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43. He was initially supposed to learn his fate on July 23, but his defense attorneys successfully argued that two more doctors – a psychologist and a neurologist – need to evaluate Wilson before the life-changing sentence.
But Wilson also faces additional charges stemming from two separate incidents while incarnated.
Jail Escape Attempt
On September 30, 2020, Wilson and his cellmate, Joseph Katz, allegedly attempted to break out of the Lee County Jail.
Court documents obtained by Newsweek state another inmate told a guard that his cellmate, Loren Curtis Sawyer, had received a note from Wilson asking him to arrange “a ride out of here.”
Wade’s letter requested “Curtis” arrange a getaway car “today” or “tomorrow” around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.
The reporting inmate claimed Wilson and “Curtis” were related through the prison gang, “The Unforgiven,” which is believed to be a white supremacist gang. Officials searched the 10×10 cell Wilson and Katz shared and found that their window’s metal frame had been removed and there were several cracks in the thick security glass. A metal stool that had previously been bolted to the concrete floor had also been removed.
Detectives determined Wilson was the mastermind and charged him with attempted escape and criminal mischief.
Drug Charges
On April 20, 2023, a K9 doing checks outside the outdoor Lee County Jail receiving center detected two bags – which both tested positive for methamphetamine – and contained loose cigarettes, suspected narcotics, lighters, and pills.
According to court documents, a source told officials that a trusty – an inmate who gets special privileges for being trustworthy and responsible – gave the drugs to another trusty who then passed them along to Wilson and another inmate.
Officials reviewed recorded inmate phone calls and learned that Wilson spoke to someone named Bonnie Wiggins about narcotics. Police then conducted an undercover investigation where they watched Wiggins and three more suspects outside of jail, which resulted in six people being arrested, including Wilson, on drug-related charges.
Wilson will appear in court on August 27 at 9 a.m. for a Spencer hearing.
A Spencer hearing allows the defendant’s lawyers to present additional evidence to Judge Nick Thompson before a sentence is entered.
Wilson’s death penalty sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m. the same day.
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