THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1998
Robert T. Hawk
vs State of Florida
No. 88,179

Place of Origin
Pinellas County

Facts
Hawk, a native of Tallahassee, was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Betty Gray in Pinellas County. Hawk, 19 at the time of the slaying, is legally deaf. Gray also was hearing impaired. Mrs. Gray and her husband had known Hawk since he was 9 years old, and Hawk contended the Grays had sexually molested him for many years. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. This is his direct appeal.