A neurologist claims that young Wade Wilson, the tattoo-covered convicted Florida murderer who will be sentenced to either death or life in prison on Tuesday, once told his adoptive parents he “thought he was going crazy.”
Wilson, now 30, murdered 35-year-old Kristine Melton and 43-year-old Diane Ruiz within a matter of hours in October 2019. In addition to the two first-degree murder charges, he was also convicted of grand larceny, assault, burglary and petty theft in those incidents.
Dr. Mark Rubino testified during a Zoom hearing on the restraining order on Monday, claiming that recent brain scans of Wilson, 30, indicate brain trauma, including “impairments” in short-term memory and “cognitive and emotional problems consistent with psychiatric illness.”
In addition to the MRI, Rubino ran a series of tests to examine Wilson, which was “difficult” because the convict was shackled. He also spoke to Wilson about his childhood, who told the doctor that he “was fine until about age 11, until he told his parents he thought he was going crazy.”
Wilson told Rubino that he was in two car accidents as a child in Tallahassee “years ago.” In one, he was a passenger when the driver crashed into an oak tree and hit his head on the windshield. The second time, he and a group of friends were at the beach and again crashed into a tree.
“Everyone passed out,” Rubino said. “He started running because he didn't want to get arrested since he was on probation. Then when he woke up, he went back to the emergency room to get checked out because he felt bad and then just left because he didn't want to go to the hospital.”
Wilson also claimed he suffered two concussions while playing football and baseball in high school. He was also “ambushed” three times and “knocked out” each time, Rubino said.
Rubino could not find medical records to support Wilson's claims, but said his stories about the head injuries were “probably true” based on the scan results.
The doctor, who often emphasized, “I am a neurologist, not a psychologist,” concluded, “As a result of his head injuries, Wilson suffered something other than his mental illness, so his behavior can be explained by the head injuries – his impulsivity, his overwhelming emotions, which he pursues without any control or compensation from the frontal lobe.”
Rubino will testify in a Spencer hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Wilson's sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m.
A Spencer hearing is a Florida court proceeding that takes place after a defendant is convicted but before sentencing, during which the defense and prosecution can present additional evidence or arguments that could affect the judge's sentencing decision.
Named after the Florida Supreme Court case Spencer v. State (1993), this hearing is especially important in cases where the death penalty is a possibility because it provides the defense with an opportunity to argue for a lesser sentence. During the hearing, the judge may consider factors such as mitigating circumstances, the defendant's background, and any other relevant information that could affect the severity of the sentence.
Newsweek has contacted Wilson's attorneys Kevin Shirley and Lee Hollander for comment.
Rubino's hearing is a final attempt by Wilson's lawyers to possibly save his life, just one day before Judge Nicholas Thompson decides the killer's fate.
Last week, Hollander said Newsweek that a psychologist and a neurologist have already interviewed Wilson, but Rubino has requested further tests because he found evidence “that may indicate a traumatic brain injury.” The Lee County Sheriff's Office transported Wilson to an undisclosed location for testing for safety reasons.
In July, Wilson's sentencing was delayed because, according to court records, “two other mental health experts could not adjust their schedules to testify during the penalty phase.” At that time, Shirley said, one doctor wanted to perform brain scans on Wilson, which would have required him to be transported to another facility. The other doctor needed more time to complete his tests on Wilson, which were different from those performed by the doctors who had already testified during the trial.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Mark Mills testified on Wilson's behalf, stating that he suffered from a psychotic disorder and was “chronically and severely” mentally ill.
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Neuropsychologist Dr. Hyman Eisenstein also testified, claiming that Wilson had been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and other mental illnesses. Eisenstein also noted that Wilson had a neurocognitive impairment, which indicated that his brain did not function like that of a normal, healthy person.
However, the state's counter-expert, forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Herkov, argued that there was insufficient evidence to diagnose a psychotic disorder. Instead, Herkov suggested that Wilson's extensive drug history, both documented and self-reported, was a more plausible explanation for the killer's delusions and recurrent criminal behavior.
Wilson was also arrested on drug charges while in prison in April 2023. A sniffer dog conducting patrols outside the Lee County Jail's intake center that day discovered two baggies – both of which tested positive for methamphetamine – containing loose cigarettes, suspected narcotics, lighters and pills.
According to court documents, a confidant – an inmate who receives special privileges if he is trustworthy and responsible – gave the drugs to Wilson and another inmate. Officers reviewed recorded phone conversations between the inmates and found that Wilson had discussed drugs with a woman named Bonnie Wiggins. Police then conducted an undercover investigation, observing Wiggins and three other suspects outside the prison. As a result, six people, including Wilson, were arrested on drug charges.
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