Bishop Charged in Cyclist's Death Now in Custody

WBAL
January 9, 2015

http://www.wbal.com/article/112782/40/bishop-charged-with-manslaughter-and-dui-in-cyclists-death

Thomas Palermo (Bikemore website photo)

The second-highest leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland will be charged with vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and other counts stemming from a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Baltimore's top prosecutor said Friday.

An arrest warrant was issued for Bishop Suffragan Heather Cook, 58, whose blood-alcohol level tested at .22 after the wreck, nearly triple Maryland's legal limit for driving, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said at a news conference.

Baltimore City Police say Cook turned herself into authorities late this afternoon, and was being held in the Baltimore City Detention Center.

Cook was driving a car that hit Tom Palermo, a 41-year-old father of two, on Dec. 27. Palermo died from head injuries the same day at a hospital, according to Bruce Goldfarb, spokesman for the Maryland medical examiner's office.

The diocese and police confirmed the driver initially left the scene of the crash, then returned. The diocese and a witness reported that Cook left the scene for about 20 minutes before returning.

In a statement, Palermo's sister-in-law thanked Mosby, who took office Monday.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the events leading up to the senseless hit-and-run accident that claimed Tom's life, and support the prosecutor's efforts to hold Bishop Heather Cook accountable for her actions to the fullest extent of the law," said Alisa Rock, Palermo's sister-in-law and the family's spokeswoman.

Moncure Lyon, 65, of Baltimore, said he was just finishing up a bike ride when he came upon Palermo lying in the street in a semi-fetal position, his head on the curb. As other passers-by called 911, Lyon went looking for the car, based on other witnesses' descriptions. He found it about 100 yards away at a light, he said.

"The windshield was completely smashed in, with a hole on the passenger side, and from the damage of the car, there was no doubt in my mind that was the car," he said. "I asked the lady who was driving, 'Are you all right?' Then the light turned green, she said 'Yes,' and she left."

When he returned to the scene, he saw the woman there as well, talking to a police officer.

Officials of several cyclist advocacy groups welcomed the decision to charge Cook

The national Episcopal Church initiated opened an investigation late last week against Cook after receiving a complaint. The decision to move forward with an investigation was made by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and other national church leaders, according to diocesan spokeswoman Sharon Tillman. The purpose of that investigation, separate from the civilian criminal investigation, is to determine whether Cook violated church law.

This is not the first time Cook has been charged with crimes related to driving.

Court records show a Caroline County sheriff's deputy stopped Cook in 2010 on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The officer wrote in a report that Cook was driving on the shoulder at 29 mph in a 50-mph-zone with a shredded front tire.

The deputy noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from the car and that Cook had vomit down the front of her shirt. The officer wrote that Cook was so intoxicated that she couldn't finish a field sobriety test because she might fall and hurt herself. According to the report, Cook registered .27 percent blood-alcohol content.

The officer also reported finding two small bags of marijuana in the vehicle, along with paraphernalia, and a bottle of wine and a bottle of liquor.

Cook pleaded guilty to drunken driving, and drug possession charges were dropped. A judge sentenced her to a fine and probation before judgment on the DUI charge, meaning her record could be cleared if she stayed out of trouble.

Tillman said Cook disclosed the earlier charges when she was vetted by a search committee while seeking the office of bishop. She was elected as bishop in September.

Cook grew up in Baltimore. She was ordained in the Maryland diocese in 1987, and has served on the Eastern Shore, as well as in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to the diocese's website. She was the diocese's first female bishop, elected unanimously in September.

STATEMENT FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MARYLAND:

With the announcement today by civil authorities of charges against Heather Cook in the tragic death of Thomas Palermo, the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland,

reaffirms its respect for the course of action the legal system is taking and prays for a just outcome in this case.

The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland said in reaction to these charges, "I want to thank the Baltimore Police Department and the State's Attorney's office for the thoroughness and care by which they have handled and investigated this case.

"On behalf of everyone in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, please know that we are deeply heartbroken over this, and we cry for the Palermo family, our sister Heather and all in the community who are hurting," Sutton said. "Our Lord Jesus would be a healing presence in the midst of this tragic situation, and we are seeking ways to walk in his footsteps in the days and months ahead. As we do so we are truly being the church, and we will always be guided by our core Christian values of personal accountability, compassion and respect for the rule of law."

Additionally, the diocese commends the compassionate response of Episcopalians who are keeping the Palermos and the cycling community in their prayers and those who have contributed to the Palermo Children's Educational Trust.

Finally, the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is fully cooperating with the Episcopal Church's internal investigation concerning Cook's conduct as a clergy-leader. Since she is a bishop it falls under the jurisdiction of the Episcopal Church and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to handle disciplinary proceedings regarding Cook's actions. These proceedings were begun on or about Jan 2. The disciplinary process, known internally as Title IV for the section of the Church's Constitution dealing with discipline procedures, is in place to objectively investigate and determine appropriate action by the Episcopal Church.

As we all process and come to understand this tragedy we will continue to be guided by our belief in personal accountability, compassion and the rule of law.

[s, information and resources regarding this matter, please visit http:]

STATEMENT FROM MOSBY:

As previously stated, the State’s Attorney’s Office is committed to applying justice fairly and equally- no one is above the law. As concerned members of the public I ask for your patience and understanding, as we allow justice to run its course.