Former Bishop Heather Cook Pleads Guilty in Death of Cyclist

By Justin Fenton
Baltimore Sun
September 8, 2015

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-bishop-cook-plea-20150908-story.html

Former Episcopal bishop Heather Elizabeth Cook Tuesday pleaded guilty to charges in the December drunken-driving death of a bicyclist in North Baltimore.

Cook appeared in court a day before her trial was scheduled to begin. Her attorney previously had said that they were considering a plea and didn't want to go through a trial "for everyone's sake."

Cook pleaded guilty to automobile manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and texting while driving.

probation. Cook will have an opportunity to argue for less time at her sentencing this fall.

In April, Cook, 58, pleaded not guilty to all 13 counts against her, including automobile manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident, which left 41-year-old bicyclist Thomas Palermo dead.