“The State has recommended 20 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended, and five years of probation,” Rochelle Ritchie, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office director of communications, told Baltimore magazine. “The sentencing date is scheduled for Oct. 27.”

Cook’s trial had originally been set for tomorrow, but was moved up.

The 59-year-old Cook, who was the second-highest ranking bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland when she struck and killed 41-year-old Tom Palmero on Roland Avenue on Dec. 27, initially pled not guilty to all charges and had been free on a $2.5 million bond.

She resigned her position as Bishop Suffragan of Maryland earlier this year.

It’s since been learned that Cook pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010 in Caroline County, receiving supervised probation before judgment. She was also initially charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia as part of that incident, but those charges were later dropped (“nolle prosequi,” according to online court records).

According to a previous statement from the City State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook’s blood-alcohol level was .22 at the time of the Saturday afternoon crash and that Cook veered into the bike lane that Palermo was riding in. At one of then-new Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s first press conferences, prosecutors alleged that Cooke failed to remain at the scene, returning to her apartment before coming back to the scene where she was transported by Baltimore City Police to Central District and given a breathalyzer test.

Palermo, a married father of two children, was a Johns Hopkins Hospital software engineer, part-time bike builder, and well known member of the Baltimore bicycling community.

“I think the sentence is appropriate,” said Penny Troutner, owner of Light Street Cycles and a longtime Baltimore bicycling advocate. “I’m happy she pled guilty. Tom’s family has been through enough already without having this dragged out any further in court. In a way, I feel badly that someone who has accomplished so much is going to jail, but she is going to be able to continue to live her life while those two children are going to grow up without their father. And a wife is going to have to live without her husband. I hope this sends a chill through people who drink and drive, and text and drive—that if this can happen to her—it can happen to them.”

Bikemore, Baltimore’s nonprofit bicycling advocacy organization, posted a long statement on its website after Cook’s plea today that was supportive of Palmero’s family while at the same time making the case that “as a city we must commit to stronger enforcement of negligence while operating a motor vehicle.”

“We have to commit to having zero tolerance to distracted driving. If the city claims they can’t afford to enforce the laws the state passes, we have to stop accepting that as an acceptable response,” Bikemore said in its statement. “There was a time when driving drunk was more socially acceptable than it is today. There was a time when child seats were scarce, if used at all, and seatbelt laws were just coming into fashion. The argument that getting people to put away phones while we are driving is just too hard doesn’t hold water.”

On New Year’s Day, more than 700 bicyclists gathered in Bishop Square Park, adjacent to the Episcopal Diocese’s Cathedral of the Incarnation on University Avenue, for a memorial ride in Palmero’s honor. Bicycle advocates, per tradition for cyclists killed on the road, placed a memorial “ghost bike” at the scene of tragedy.

Source

According to a release from the office of Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on Friday, Cook will be “deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority of God’s word and sacraments conferred at ordination.”

And, as such, Cook “will no longer function as an ordained person in the Episcopal Church.”

In a separate, but related announcement Friday, Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton and the standing committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland announced the acceptance of Cook’s resignation as bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

Identified as the driver in the Roland Avenue hit and run crash that killed Palermo, Cook faces charges of fleeing the scene of an accident involving death, driving under the influence of alcohol, text messaging while driving, and criminally negligent manslaughter while operating a vehicle while operating a vehicle.

A trial date—the 58-year-old Cook has pleaded not guilty—is scheduled for early next month.

The 2:30 p.m. weekend crash, which occurred when Cook drove into a well-marked bike lane, according to police, led to rallies and a memorial ride in honor of Palermo, a father of two and bike builder, as well as an outcry from local cyclists for serious charges. Photos of Cook’s smashed windshield were published by WBAL.

Not long after the crash, Sutton confirmed in a statement that Cook “did leave the scene initially,” returning 20 minutes later “to take responsibility for her actions.” Subsequent accounts, first reported by the Baltimore Brew, put the time it took for Cook to return at 30-35 minutes. Also, according to several reports, at least one bicyclist followed Cook’s car as it left the Roland Avenue area, attempting to identify the vehicle.

Palermo was alive when police arrived and was taken to Sinai Hospital where he later died.

It was also learned that Cook had pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010 in Caroline County, receiving supervised probation before judgment. She was also initially charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia as part of that incident, but those charges were later dropped (“nolle prosequi,” according to online court records).

Sutton, who knew about her earlier arrest, has said he suspected Cook was drunk two days before her September ordination at a private dinner.

Baltimore City state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby, who has received national attention for her quick action in the wake of the Freddie Gray tragedy, announced the charges against Cook on her first day in office.

Source

A Johns Hopkins Hospital software engineer and part-time bike builder well known in the bicycling community, Thomas Palermo, 41, was a married father of two children.

A warrant will be issued for Bishop Heather Cook’s arrest, prosecutors said.

Criminal charges filed in District Court today:

• Negligent Manslaughter by vehicle (Max 10 years and/or $5,000 fine)
• Criminal Negligent Manslaughter by vehicle (Max 3 years and/or $5,000 fine)
• Negligently Driving Under the Influence resulting in a Homicide (Max 5 years and/or $5,000 fine)
• Negligent Homicide involving an Auto or Boat while Impaired (Max 3 years and/or $5,000 fine)

Traffic charges also filed:

• Duty of Driver to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in Bodily Injury
• Duty of Driver to remain at an Accident resulting in Death
• Use of a Text Messaging Device while Driving causing an Accident with Death or Serious Bodily Injury
• Driving under the Influence of Alcohol

According to a statement released to the press, Cook’s blood alcohol level was .22 at the time of the Saturday afternoon crash and that Cook veered into the bike lane that Palermo was riding in. Prosecutors allege that Cooke “failed to remain at the scene,” returning to her apartment before coming back to the scene where she was transported by Baltimore City Police to Central District and given a breathalyzer test.

Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, head of the
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, emailed clergy members on the same day as the the crash, acknowledging that Cook, 58, the diocese’s second-ranking official, was the driver in the fatal collision. The diocese also released a statement today after Mosby’s announcement of the charges against Cook, thanking prosecutors and police for their “thoroughness and care” in handling the investigation, as well as stating they are “fully cooperating with the Episcopal Church’s internal investigation concerning Cook’s conduct as a clergy leader.”

Sutton also confirmed that Cook “did leave the scene initially,” returning 20 minutes later “to take responsibility for her actions.” Subsequent accounts, reported by the
Baltimore Brew, put the time it took for Cook to return at 40-45 minutes. Also, according to several reports, at least one bicyclist followed Cook’s car as it left the Roland Avenue area, attempting to identify the vehicle.

Palermo was alive when police arrived and was taken to Sinai Hospital where he later died.

It’s since been learned that Cook pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010 in Caroline County, receiving supervised probation before judgment. She was also initially charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia as part of that incident, but those charges were later dropped (“nolle prosequi,” according to online court records).

On New Year’s Day more than 700 bicyclists gathered in Bishop Square Park, adjacent to the Episcopal Diocese’s Cathedral of the Incarnation on University Avenue, for a memorial ride to the scene of the tragic collision that took Palermo’s life.

Among those speaking briefly at the vigil at the site of the crash at 5700 Roland Ave. were Nate Evans, of
Bike Maryland, Greg Hinchliffe, of Bikemore, and Jeff Hulting, Palermo’s brother-in-law, who talked about Palermo’s passion for cycling.

Hulting said that with two young kids, a full-time job, as well as his small custom bike building business, his brother-in-law hadn’t had been able to ride as much as he’d like in recent years.

“Last Saturday was a beautiful day and Rachel [Palermo’s wife], realizing how busy they had been, suggested to Tom that he do what he loved and and go out for a ride,” Hulting said.

Bikemore and Bike Maryland released a joint statement following Mosby’s announcement of the charges against Cook:

“On the behalf of citizens in Baltimore and across the state, Bike Maryland and Bikemore appreciate the efforts of the Baltimore Police Department and State’s Attorney’s office in pursuing justice for Tom Palermo and his family. The death of a bicyclist in a car collision is a terrible event, but preventable if all road users slowed down and committed their full attention to the operation what can be a deadly weapon when wielded incorrectly.

When drivers choose to drive distracted and impaired, they are completely disregarding the value of the people around them. They choose that the cell phone call, the text message, or the time spent sobering up, is more valuable than the lives of the people they may kill or injure. This is a choice, and our society cannot tolerate it when they choose to drive impaired. Children buckled in the backseat, pedestrians crossing the crosswalk, and bicyclists using the bike lane are in peril when our community allows this to happen. We stand with the State’s Attorney’s office as they make a stand against distracted and negligent drivers.

We would like to remind everyone that when you hit-and-run you are choosing to deny that victim immediate care. Slow down; pay attention; and treat all vulnerable road users like you love them…because someone does.”

Source

Among those speaking briefly at the vigil at the site of the crash at 5700 Roland Ave. were Nate Evans, of Bike Maryland, Greg Hinchliffe, of Bikemore, and Jeff Hulting, Palermo’s brother-in-law, who talked about Palermo’s passion for cycling.

Hulting said that with two young kids, a full-time job, as well as his small custom bike building business, his brother-in-law hadn’t had been able to ride as much as he’d like in recent years.

“Last Saturday was a beautiful day and Rachel [Palermo’s wife], realizing how busy they had been, suggested to Tom that he do what he loved and and go out for a ride,” Hulting said.

Per tradition in the cycling community, a white-painted “ghost bike” was chained to a pole by a local bicyclist, with flowers and candles placed around the memorial.

“[Hopefully], the awareness caused by this horrible event will ultimately result in the saving of tens, if not hundreds, of cyclists’ lives in the future,” said Hulting.

“For the cycling community, this is kind of part of our grieving process,” said Evans. “It gives us a chance to get out and celebrate a cyclist’s life. In this case, it’s Tom.”

Although police have not yet identified the driver, according to numerous media reports, Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, emailed clergy members Saturday, acknowledging the diocese’s second-ranking official, Bishop Suffragan Heather Elizabeth Cook, as the driver that killed Palermo.

Sutton also confirmed that Cook, who has been placed on administrative leave, “did leave the scene initially,” returning 20 minutes later “to take responsibility for her actions.” Also, according to several reports, at least one bicyclist followed Cook’s car as it left the Roland Avenue area, attempting to identify the vehicle.

Cook pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010 in Caroline County, receiving supervised probation before judgment. She was also initially charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia as part of that incident, but those charges were later dropped (“nolle prosequi,” according to online court records).

The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland subsequently posted a statement on its search process that led to Cook’s appointment, saying that it was aware of her 2010 DUI, determining that “this one mistake should not bar her for consideration as a leader” and citing “forgiveness” as core Christian value.

Palermo was alive when police arrived and was taken to Sinai Hospital where he later died. No charges have been filed at this time and friends of Palermo’s have created a Facebook page seeking criminal charges for Cook.

A memorial mass for Palermo will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Towson Saturday at 10 a.m. His family will receive friends at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home today from 4 p.m. to to 7 p.m.

Extended family of Palermo’s have set up an educational trust fund for his 4 and 6-year-old children.

Source

Although police have not yet identified the driver, according to numerous media reports, Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, emailed clergy members Saturday, acknowledging the diocese’s second-ranking official, Bishop Suffragan Heather Elizabeth Cook, as the driver in the fatal collision that killed 41-year-old Tom Palermo.

The memorial ride and vigil will begin Thursday, Jan. 1, at 3:30 p.m. at Bishop Square Park on the northwest corner of the intersection of N. Charles St. and University Parkway, adjacent from the Cathedral of the Incarnation, the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. According to Bikemore, a Baltimore bicycle advocacy organization, following a moment of silence, the ride will leave for the scene of the crash at 5700 Roland Ave. to place a white memorial bicycle in remembrance of Palermo, a former bicycle builder and web developer. Those wishing to attend who are not riding bicycles are welcome to meet the bicyclists at the Roland Avenue location. Also according to Bikemore, the Episcopal Diocese will open the Cathedral of the Incarnation for parking, restrooms, prayer, and meditation beginning at 2:30 p.m.

A memorial mass for Palermo will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Towson Saturday at 10 a.m. His family will receive friends at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home on Friday from 4 p.m. to to 7 p.m.

Extended family of Palermo’s have set up an educational trust fund for his 4 and 6-year-old children.

Sutton also confirmed that Cook, who has been placed on administrative leave, “did leave the scene initially,” returning 20 minutes later “to take responsibility for her actions.” Also, according to several reports, at least one bicyclist followed Cook’s car as it left the Roland Avenue area, attempting to identify the vehicle.

Cook pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in 2010 in Caroline County, receiving supervised probation before judgment. She was also initially charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia as part of that incident, but those charges were later dropped (“nolle prosequi,” according to online court records).

The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland also posted a statement on its search process that led to Cook’s appointment, saying that it was aware of her 2010 DUI, determining that “this one mistake should not bar her for consideration as a leader” and citing “forgiveness” as core Christian value.

Palermo was alive when police arrived and was taken to Sinai Hospital where he later died. No charges have been filed at this time and friends of Palermo’s have created a Facebook page seeking criminal charges for Cook.

An informal ride in Palmero’s memory was held Monday evening, with bicyclists placing candles at the scene of the crash.

Source