Convicted double-murderer Wade Wilson pleads no contest to trafficking amphetamines

Reporter: Olivia Jean Writer: Carolina Guzman
Published: Updated:

Wade Wilson, who was convicted of murdering two women in Cape Coral, was back in court for a plea hearing on drug charges.

The hearing was supposed to be in September, but at the end of the hearing, State Attorney’s said moving it will facilitate Wilson going to death row more swiftly.

Wilson was accused of selling and smuggling meth in jail in April 2023.

Wilson pled no contest to one charge for attempted trafficking in amphetamine or methamphetamine and one charge for conspiracy to traffic in amphetamine or methamphetamine.

Judge Frank Porter accepted his plea deal and found Wade Wilson competent, alert and able to enter the plea of no contest.

The prosecutor dropped the attempted prison escape in 2020 charge as part of the plea.

This drug case began in 2023 when Wilson survived a drug overdose while in custody at the Lee County Jail.

According to the State Attorney’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation that included the review of jail mail correspondence, which revealed a conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs.

Thursday morning, Wilson appeared in court to waive his right to a jury trial in which the jury would determine his guilt or innocence, his right to testify and remain silent and his right to appeal everything in the case.

All throughout Wilson’s past court hearing, he would show little to no emotion. That changed during this hearing as he spoke in court several times, but mainly because he had to.

The judge asked Wilson several questions, including if he had “suffered from any real problems.” Wilson replied with a no, confidently. As we reported on WINK, all throughout the sentencing, his defense team argued he had multiple mental illnesses, which is why they advocated against death row. On Thursday, Wilson said mental illnesses were not a factor.

Wilson was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections concurrent with any other previous sentences. He must serve a minimum of at least seven years along with paying $50,000 dollars.

Wilson also had to provide fingerprints to FDLE, which he did on his way out of court.

The Florida Department of Corrections will handle Wilson moving to death row and when that will happen is not public information. He awaits transfer to the Florida State Prison in Raiford, where death row inmates in Florida are held.

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