Mr. Cook was convicted of the fatal shooting of Rolando and Onelia Betancourt, the
midnight cleaning crew of a South Miami Burger King, during an armed burglary of the
restaurant. A jury recommended death for the first murder by a 7-5 vote and death for the
second murder by an 8-4 vote. Mr. Cook was sentenced to life imprisonment for the
murder of Rolando Betancourt and to death for the murder of Onelia Betancourt. This
Court reversed the death sentence and directed the trial court to re-sentence Mr. Cook. He
was condemned a second time and the sentence was upheld by this Court on direct
appeal. The trial court rejected Mr. Cook's first post-conviction appeal and this is an
appeal of that decision.