05 January 2026 :

October 10, 2025 - Florida. Jose Soto-Escalera sentenced to death

On October 10 Judge Lawrence Mirman, in St. Lucie County, sentenced Jose Soto-Escalera to death.

Soto-Escalera was convicted in September of first-degree murder in the deaths of 23-year-old Tania Wise and their unborn child, Josiah. Wise was found face-down in a roadside drainage ditch in August 2018, eight and a half months pregnant. She had suffered severe head trauma and a 19-centimeter cut across her neck.

The prosecution argued that Jose, who was married at the time, killed Wise to prevent his wife from discovering their affair and the pregnancy. Evidence included recorded conversations where Soto-Escalera appeared to plan the murder, discussing how to dispose of the body and destroy evidence.

A jury deliberated for approximately one hour before finding Jose guilty, then deliberated for less than two hours on September 25 before recommending the death penalty by a vote of 8-4.

https://fladeathpenalty.substack.com/p/2025-in-review-part-ii
https://www.courttv.com/news/judge-to-decide-fate-of-man-convicted-of-killing-pregnant-mistress/