Wade Wilson and one of his female supporters are suing the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office.
Wilson and Jesse Tehonica filed a civil lawsuit against the Florida entities on September 20. The complaint is confidential and is unavailable for public viewing.
“In accordance with Florida Statute, the Clerk’s office will hold this case confidential until the court makes a determination,” Lee County Clerk of Courts spokesperson Meaghan Smith told Newsweek.
Wilson’s former lawyers Kevin Shirley and Lee Hollander, who represented him in his murder trial, told Newsweek that Tehonica was involved in getting Wilson clothes for his death sentencing and orchestrating public support for the convicted killer. The judge ultimately declined a motion to allow him to wear anything but his inmate uniform.
Wade Wilson, 30, is on Florida’s death row for murdering two women in 2019.
Union Correctional Institution/YouTube//Law & Crime
Newsweek has contacted Andrea Mogensen, the lawyer representing Wilson and Tehonica in their lawsuit, but has not heard back. Newsweek also made multiple attempts for comment from Tehonica and the State Attorney’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office declined to provide Newsweek any additional information.
Wilson is currently on Florida’s death row for murdering Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in October 2019. He was sentenced to death on August 27 as the victims’ families clapped and hugged each other when the judge delivered Wilson’s fate.
(Left to right) Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43
Days after his death sentencing, Wilson also received a 12-year sentence for attempted trafficking in amphetamines or methamphetamines between 28 grams to 200 grams. He was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine, court costs, and the cost of persecution.
Wilson survived a drug overdose at Lee County Jail in 2023 while awaiting trial for the murders. The incident prompted an investigation by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators uncovered a conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs into the jail. Four others were also charged in the incident. Their cases are pending.
He will serve the sentences concurrently with his two death sentences.
Wilson has a new lawyer, Michael Ufferman, who filed a notice of appeal for his death sentences on September 15.
Ufferman was recognized as the 2024 Tallahassee Lawyer of the Year in Appellate Practice by The Best Lawyers in America. He is also an adjunct professor teaching criminal procedure at the Florida State University College of Law.
A status conference hearing is set for October 16 at 1:30 p.m. in the same Lee County Justice Center courtroom where Wilson was sentenced to death.
Wade Wilson, 30, in court on June 24.
YouTube/Law & Crime
Fanfare Surrounding Wade Wilson
Shirley told Newsweek that he had never seen the “very unusual” fanfare surrounding Wilson’s case on social media.
“I’ve never been involved in anything like this before. I don’t know how many tens of thousands of people are communicating with him or communicating with each other about him,” he told Newsweek in person after the August sentencing.
“There’s donations that are set up for him. I think it’s ridiculous, but there’s a lot of people that think otherwise.”
When asked how Robert Melton, the brother of victim Kristine Melton, felt about Wilson not showing any emotion when he was sentenced to death, he found his astonishment difficult to put into words.
“He just doesn’t seem like a person,” he told Newsweek about the killer. “It’s so horrific.”
Robert Melton doesn’t understand the social media fanfare surrounding Wilson, either.
“A friend of mine sent me a link, like ‘Oh yeah, he’s a TikTok sensation,’ and I’m just like, ‘Oh my God.'”
“I don’t want anything in this to be about him,” Robert Melton added. “Two wonderful people died. This should not end up being about Wade.”
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