Jury selection underway for man accused of killing 2 Cape Coral women

Reporter: Elizabeth Biro Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:

Jury selection is underway for a man accused of killing two Cape Coral women in 2019.

Wade Wilson may face the death penalty after the families of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz have waited five years for his murder trial to begin.

Wilson appeared in court on Monday morning, adorned in a baby blue suit with makeup to conceal some of his more offensive tattoos.

Jury selection began Monday morning, with around 60 potential jurors being assessed for the case.

Twelve jurors must be selected with four alternates before the trial can begin.

Investigators found Melton’s body in her Cape Coral home. They believe Wilson met Melton at a Fort Myers bar and choked her to death.

Four days later, they found Ruiz dead in a field.

At the time of his arrest, state law required that the jury unanimously agree on a recommendation of death.

The law changed in 2023, reducing the number to 8 out of 12.

Wilson and his lawyers have since contested that the old rules should still apply to his case; however, the judge denied it.

Several delays have been made due to Wilson switching his attorney multiple times.

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