The name Wade Wilson has been plastered across social media for months, and not because of the wisecracking Marvel mercenary. People are obsessed. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or X lately, you’ve probably seen the courtroom footage of a man covered in face tattoos—including a massive swastika and a Joker-style grin—staring down a jury with a chilling, detached expression. He’s the "Deadpool Killer," but the reality of his case is far more grim than any comic book movie.
So, let's get straight to the point that everyone is googling: was Wade Wilson put to death yet?
No. He hasn't been executed. But he is officially a resident of Florida’s death row. On August 27, 2024, Judge Nicholas Thompson followed the jury's recommendation and sentenced Wilson to death for the 2019 murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Logan.
It’s a heavy topic. Honestly, the details of the case are stomach-turning, which explains why the public is so polarized. Some people are calling for a swift execution, while a bizarre, deeply unsettling corner of the internet has actually started "fan clubs" for him, sending him love letters and petitions for clemency. It’s wild. But the legal system doesn't move at the speed of a viral clip. In Florida, being "put to death" is a process that takes years—sometimes decades—of appeals and procedural hurdles.
The Brutality of the 2019 Crimes
To understand why the jury voted for death, you have to look at what happened in October 2019. It wasn't a "crime of passion" or a tragic accident. It was a spree.
Wilson met Kristine Melton at a live music bar. They went back to her home. While she slept, he strangled her. He didn't stop there. He stole her car and went to see his girlfriend, whom he also attacked. Then he encountered Diane Logan. He lured her into the car by asking for directions. He strangled her, too, and then—in a detail that genuinely horrified the courtroom—he pushed her out of the vehicle and ran her over repeatedly.
He told his father he did it just "to make her look like spaghetti."
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That kind of callousness is exactly why the prosecution pushed so hard for the ultimate penalty. During the trial, the defense tried to argue that Wilson’s brain was "fried" from years of drug abuse. They brought in experts to talk about brain scans and cognitive impairment. But the state’s experts fired back, basically saying that while he might have issues, he knew exactly what he was doing. He chose to kill. He chose the cruelty.
Why Florida’s 8-4 Jury Rule Mattered
There’s a weird legal quirk in Florida that most people don't realize played a huge role here. For a long time, Florida required a unanimous jury vote to sentence someone to death. Then it changed. Then it changed back.
In 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that allows a jury to recommend the death penalty with an 8-4 vote. It’s the lowest threshold in the United States.
In the case of Kristine Melton, the jury voted 9-3 for death. For Diane Logan, it was 10-2. Under the old rules, Wilson would have automatically received life in prison because the jury wasn't unanimous. But because of the new legislation, the judge had the power to hand down the death sentence. This has sparked a ton of debate among legal scholars who think the 8-4 rule might eventually be overturned by higher courts. If that happens, Wilson’s sentence could be thrown into a tailspin of re-sentencing hearings.
The Viral Courtroom Persona and the "Fan" Problem
It is impossible to talk about Wade Wilson without talking about his face. He didn't have those tattoos when he was arrested in 2019. He got them while sitting in jail awaiting trial. The swastikas, the "Why So Serious" scars—it’s a visual manifesto of someone who has checked out of polite society.
You’ve probably seen the edits. There are literally thousands of videos with slowed-down music showing him smirking or adjusting his tie. It’s a phenomenon called hybristophilia—being attracted to people who commit gruesome crimes. Thousands of people sent letters to the judge pleading for his life, citing his "mental health" or his "good looks."
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The judge didn't buy it.
During the sentencing, Judge Thompson was pretty blunt. He noted that the murders were "heinous, atrocious, and cruel." No amount of fan mail or "he has a troubled soul" narratives could outweigh the fact that two women were dead for no reason other than Wilson felt like killing that day.
What Happens Now? (The Long Road to Execution)
If you're wondering when the actual execution will happen, don't hold your breath.
Florida’s death row isn't a "fast track." Once a person is sentenced, an automatic appeal goes to the Florida Supreme Court. This is mandatory. They check for legal errors, issues with the jury, or problems with the evidence. After that, there are federal appeals. Death row inmates can sit in Raiford (Florida State Prison) for 15 to 20 years before their warrants are signed.
The state also has to deal with the logistics of the execution itself. Florida uses lethal injection as its primary method, though inmates can technically choose the electric chair. There are constant legal battles over the drugs used in lethal injections, which often cause massive delays.
So, was Wade Wilson put to death? Not yet. He’s currently living in a 6x9 foot cell. He’s fed through a slot in the door. He gets a few showers a week and very limited time in an exercise yard. For many, this "waiting game" is a frustration; for others, it's the only way to ensure the state doesn't make a mistake.
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Tracking the Next Steps
If you are following this case for updates, here is what the timeline actually looks like in the real world:
- The Direct Appeal: This is currently the phase the case is entering. Defense lawyers will pick apart Judge Thompson’s rulings to see if anything can be overturned.
- Post-Conviction Motions: This happens later. It’s where Wilson might claim his trial lawyers were ineffective.
- The Death Warrant: Only after all appeals are exhausted can the Governor sign a death warrant. This sets a specific date and time for the execution.
The Wade Wilson case is a perfect example of how the legal system struggles with the "true crime" era of the internet. While social media treats him like a character in a show, the Florida Department of Corrections treats him like inmate #V40330.
For the families of Kristine Melton and Diane Logan, the sentence brings a certain level of closure, but the execution remains a distant point on the horizon. They have to live with the reality of what he did every day, while the rest of the world watches 15-second clips of him in a suit.
If you want to stay updated on the status of his appeals, the Florida Supreme Court public docket is the only place to get real information. Stay away from the TikTok rumors. They usually get the law wrong.
The most important thing to remember is that the "Deadpool" nickname is a media invention. The reality is two families destroyed by a man who, as of right now, is waiting for the state of Florida to finish the paperwork on his life.
What to watch for next: Keep an eye on the Florida Supreme Court's rulings regarding the 8-4 jury law. If that law is challenged and struck down in a different case, it could create a "domino effect" that forces a new sentencing phase for Wilson. Until then, he stays on death row.
Actionable Insight: If you're interested in the legal mechanics of capital punishment, research "The Florida Capital Case Information" database. It provides real-time updates on every death row inmate’s appeal status, which is a lot more reliable than social media speculation. Understanding the difference between a "sentence" and an "execution date" is key to following high-profile criminal cases like this one.