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.