A Florida woman’s sentencing hearing took an unexpected turn when she was removed from the courtroom after repeatedly shouting and disrupting the judge during her murder sentence. The dramatic outburst occurred as she awaited formal sentencing for killing her roommate in 2019, leading officials to continue the hearing without her presence.
Chaos in Courtroom Before Life Sentence
During the sentencing in Collier County, 41-year-old Amanda Cook was visibly agitated as court proceedings began. Video from the hearing shows her entering the courtroom before launching into a loud tirade, making unusual statements and ignoring repeated commands from the presiding judge to calm down.
As Cook continued to shout, including demanding a “military tribunal” and using inflammatory language, Judge Joseph Foster ordered security to escort her out of the courtroom. Once removed, Cook could still be heard from outside the hearing room before proceedings resumed without her.
Murder Conviction and Evidence Details
Cook had been convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the 2019 death of her then-64-year-old roommate, Karen Leiti. According to court records, deputies discovered Leiti dead at the shared residence, and Cook was later charged after initially claiming the death was accidental.
Forensic evidence showed that Leiti died from intentional blunt-force trauma to the head, contradicting Cook’s earlier account. The medical examiner linked the injuries to an object found at the scene, and the conviction was upheld leading to the sentencing hearing where the disturbance occurred.
Judge’s Remarks and Final Outcome
In court, Judge Foster later characterized Cook’s conduct as potential malingering — suggesting she may have been exaggerating or simulating behavior to influence the hearing. Despite her absence, the judge proceeded to formally sentence Cook to life in prison, bringing closure to the long-running case.
