Episcopal bishop charged in crash admits to alcohol problem in court

By Jayne Miller
WBAL
January 13, 2015

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/episcopal-bishop-charged-in-crash-admits-to-alcohol-problem-in-court/30666178

BALTIMORE —The Episcopal bishop charged in the death of bicyclist Thomas Palermo admitted in court Monday that she has an alcohol problem.

Bishop Heather Cook was charged Friday with manslaughter and drunken driving in the Dec. 27 crash on Roland Avenue in north Baltimore. Prosecutors said Cook blew a .22 in a breath test after the crash, was texting while driving and left the scene, failing to return for 30 minutes.

Cook is apparently being held in protective custody at the Women's Detention Center. She appeared for her bail hearing Monday via video wearing a pink jumpsuit.

In arguing for a judge to lower Cook's bail, attorney Jose Molina disclosed she has been in alcohol treatment since the crash. Molina cited Cook's position as the second-highest ranking official in the Episcopal Church to argue she is no risk to flee.

"She owns a home here. She has life-long contacts in Maryland. She is a bishop of the Diocese of Maryland. Where is she going to go?" Molina said.

But prosecutors argued for bail to be revoked, calling Cook an extreme danger to public safety.

"Cook has zero respect for the vehicle laws of the state of Maryland," the prosecutor said in court. "Essentially, she was blind driving down the road."

Prosecutors said they have evidence that Cook did not apply the brakes on her Subaru during the crash. They said there were no skid marks. Prosecutors also said they have an alleged witness who said Cook had to be prodded to go back to the crash scene.

The prosecutor also cited Cook's prior drunken driving case in 2010, when she was given probation before judgment and also underwent treatment.

Cook's lawyer said she has been willing to give up her right to drive, but prosecutors countered that she can't be trusted.

The judge focused on the allegation that Cook left the scene, saying, "(She shows) indifference to life. How can you strike someone and not know if they are OK?"

The judge kept bail at $2.5 million full cash, which, according to Cook's lawyer, means no bail.

"She's not going to make that bail," Molina said.

The case is getting national attention. New city state's attorney Marilyn Mosby on Monday stopped by 11 News to appear on MSNBC about the swift justice she's trying to apply.

"There was concern in this case that, for whatever reason, Bishop Cook was not being treated as anyone else would be. From that perspective, I thought it was very important to assure the public and everyone that justice is applied fairly and equally and that no one is above the law," Mosby said.

Cook was among a half-dozen women who had bail hearings Monday afternoon. Their charges ranged from prostitution to armed robbery. Cook appeared separately from that group.

Her lawyers may make additional arguments for lower bail in the coming weeks.  Court records show Cook has a trial date scheduled for Feb. 6.