On Tuesday, the adoptive parents of Wade Wilson, a man convicted of murder, urged the court to reconsider his death sentence, expressing their enduring love for him despite his actions. Wilson was found guilty of killing Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in Florida in 2019, with the jury recommending capital punishment on June 12.
“He will always be our son, and we love him,” the parents shared in a letter presented during a sentencing hearing. They lamented that while Wade’s potential had been shattered, they believe there remains a flicker of humanity within him, suffering from unimaginable turmoil.
The hearing took place just hours before Wilson’s sentencing. In their letter, his parents reflected on the broader devastation of the crime, stating, “The loss felt by the victims’ families is profound, but our family also bears a different kind of grief.” They poignantly noted that taking another life “only adds to the tragedy” and won’t restore what was lost.
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The parents’ letter detailed Wilson’s difficult journey, describing him once as a joyful child who later struggled with mental illness and addiction, leading to increased isolation and paranoia. They argued that the system failed to provide the necessary support and care for him.
“That day—when severe mental illness and addiction took over—was when we lost our son,” they shared, highlighting their family’s pain. After the letter was read, Wilson chose not to address the court directly but hinted he might speak at a later time, stating, “Later, when I come back, but not right now. Thank you.”