Brandon Wilson (murderer)
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- For other people with the same name, see Brandon Wilson (disambiguation)
Brandon Wilson (c. born in 1978) is currently incarcerated, on deathrow at San Quentin State Prison for a murder he committed November 14, 1998. Wilson was 20 years old when he followed 9-year-old Matthew Cecchi into the men's washroom at a local park in Oceanside, California. Cecchi, who was at a family event, was escorted by his aunt to the washroom. She stayed outside near the door waiting for him. Wilson, a drifter, from St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, quickly took out a knife and pulled Matthew's head back and slashed his throat from ear-to-ear. Wilson quickly left, while Matthew's aunt had no idea her nephew was injured. When Matthew didn't come out his aunt entered the washroom and discovered the boy lying in a pool of blood. She screamed for help, but the boy was dead.
[edit] The Trial
Brandon pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and his trial began on September 13, 1999. Wilson told investigators he killed Matthew because God told him to do it and then to go on a killing spree. Wilson's public defender, Curt Owen, portrayed him as an insane young adult who heard voices. He had no permanent place of residence and he had been abusing LSD since he was 14. Curt Owens told jurors that Wilson had experienced urges to kill since he was a teenager. At age 13 Brandon was profoundly affected by his parents divorce. The divorce apparently made Wilson develop a hatred against his mother. He had fantasies of killing her. Wilson believed he was a warrior for God. Wilson was also disturbed by the sudden death of one of his closest friends in a car accident. According to his attorney, Brandon graduated high school and received a $25,000 settlement for injuries he sustained in a car accident. Brandon used the money to travel the country and find God.
But the jury rejected all those arguments upon viewing a police videotape of Wilson describing the attack on Matthew Cecchi. Brandon appeared happy and proud of his actions. He smiled and laughed several times as he demonstrated to a police officer how he attacked the boy. Brandon even admitted he knew his actions were wrong.
[edit] Conclusion
On September 28, 1999, the jury quickly returned a guilty verdict. Brandon's reaction to the verdict was a happy one. During the penalty phase, Brandon took the unusual step to testify. He urged the jury to give him the death penalty. He told the jury that society would be a better place without him. He admitted having no remorse for Matthew Cecchi, and told them he was capable of killing another child and enjoying it. The jury agreed and gave him the death penalty. Just a few weeks shy of the one year anniversary Brandon Wilson was sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison.
