Convicted double-murder Wade Wilson in court for hearing over brain scans ahead of sentencing

Convicted double murderer Wade Wilson was in court for a hearing ahead of his sentencing, where he could face the death penalty.

Wilson entered the courtroom at 9 a.m. on Tuesday for his Spencer hearing.

According to Online Paralegal, a Spencer hearing allows the defendant’s lawyers to present additional evidence to the judge before a sentence is entered.

In that case, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a trial judge is required to hold a hearing where a defendant can receive an opportunity to be heard before imposing a death sentence. 

The defense presents its expert witness

During Wilson’s Spencer hearing, Naples Neurologist Dr. Mark Rubino testified that the convicted killer had signs of brain trauma following MRI scans ordered by the courts in mid-August.

Newsweek reported that Rubino was to appear in court to testify on behalf of the defense.

Following the MRI assessment, Rubino stated that Wilson was treated for depression, bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.

Rubino said atrophy had occurred in Wilson’s brain, which could indicate two possible conclusions: cognitive and emotional dysfunction or evidence of brain injury.

The state questioned the validity of the tests and asked whether Wilson was truthful during the mental assessment.

“The only way that I can know for certain is through medical records,” Rubino said. “He told me that he was on medication, which I can verify. However, I cannot verify any head injuries, as they were not documented.”

Rubino mentioned that criminals who need mental evaluations or treatment for head injuries avoid doing so because of fear of being apprehended by law enforcement.

The state presents its expert witness

Following the first recess, the state called neuropathologist Dr. Thomas Coyne to the stand.

Coyne stated he had no prior meeting with Wilson and had not conducted any testing on him.

Providing his expertise, Coyne stated that when presented with the brain scans, he did not see any evidence of acute head trauma to the skull or the brain or features that would suggest chronic brain trauma. 

When asked about the impacts of drug use in conjunction with brain injuries, Coyne said these are based on an individual basis, and it would be hard for him to speak to that.

When asked about how he would proceed with an MRI scan, Coyne said, “Before I looked at the CAT scans and MRIs, I avoid looking at any history before an examination to prevent bias. I then look back on the patient’s history to fully understand the situation.”

Coyne questioned Rubino’s thought process when making his assessment after conducting Wilson’s examination.

He further mentioned how the term atrophy was being generalized in this case, stating that it may occur in multiple ways and not by Rubino’s diagnoses.

Wilson is set to face his sentencing later in the day.

A brief recap of Wilson’s trial

A jury recommended he receive the death penalty after being convicted in 2024 for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in Cape Coral.

Wilson’s father, Steven Testasecca, played a crucial role in convicting his son. He shared his fears and experience on the YouTube channel ‘Lockdown 23 and 1.’

• READ ALSO: Father of double-murderer speaks out

Testasecca worried that his son’s anger toward women would lead him to his actions in 2019.

“He said he just walked in there, got on top of her, and choked her to death. I said, ‘Why, son?’ he said, ‘Dad, I don’t know. I just wanted to do it,'” said Testasecca.

After Wilson confessed to the murders, Testasecca felt the need to help the victim’s families receive the justice that they deserved.

“I said, ‘Son, the excitement that I heard in your voice on the phone scared me. Because I knew that if you got away with this and got out of this area, you would do it again’,” said Testasecca. “He looked at me for a minute, and he said, ‘You know me so well,’ and I said, ‘What does that mean?’ and he said, ‘You’re exactly right.'”

Wilson’s sentencing is set to begin at 2 p.m.