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Crime & Justiceby Mark Reutter9:41 pmJan 9, 20150

Bishop Heather Cook’s bail set at $2.5 million

Brief hearing is held involving the allegedly drunk cleric who hit and killed cyclist Tom Palermo on Roland Avenue

Above: Heather Cook arrest photo, provided tonight after she was charged with DUI, manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.

A $2.5 million bail was set for Bishop Heather Elizabeth Cook after a hearing this afternoon before a commissioner at the Baltimore City District Court.

The 58-year-old Episcopal cleric is currently being held at the downtown Detention Center until bail can be posted. Typically it would cost about $250,000, or 10%, to post bail, although the percentage sometimes is much lower.

Sources told The Brew that Bishop Cook appeared at the hearing after being transported from Father Martin’s Ashley, an alcoholism and drug addiction treatment center near Havre de Grace, where she had been staying.

A trial date was set for February 6, although that date could change if the cleric is indicted by a city grand jury, as State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby said could happen.

Cook was at the wheel of a car that hit and killed 41-year-old Thomas Palermo on December 27. Her alcohol blood level was .22 – or nearly three times the legal limit – an hour after the crash, the state’s attorney’s office said today.

She was charged tonight with two felonies in connection with the crash, manslaughter and failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury. She was also charged with DUI and texting while driving.

Here are the full charges, as disclosed tonight in the Electronic Docket Entry on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search:

Defendant Information
Defendant Name: COOK, HEATHER ELIZABETH
Race: WHITE, CAUCASIAN, ASIATIC INDIAN, ARAB
Sex: FHeight:507Weight:250DOB:09/21/1956
Address: 8 KNOLL RIDGE CT APT 1722
City: BALTIMOREState:MDZip Code:21210 – 0000
Court Scheduling Information
Trial Date: 02/06/2015Trial Time:08:30 AMRoom:1
Trial Type:

Trial Location:5800 WABASH AVE BALTIMORE 21215-3330

Charge and Disposition Information
(Each Charge is listed separately. The disposition is listed below the Charge)
Charge No: 001Description:NEG MANSL-AUTO/BOAT, ETC.
Statute: CR.2.209Description:NEG MANSL-AUTO/BOAT, ETC.
Amended Date: CJIS Code:1 0909MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From: 12/27/2014 To: 12/27/2014 Victim Age:
Charge No: 002Description:CR NEG MANSLGHTR VEH/VESS
Statute: CR.2.210.bDescription:CR NEG MANSLGHTR VEH/VESS
Amended Date: CJIS Code:1 1611MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From: 12/27/2014 To: 12/27/2014 Victim Age:
Charge No: 003Description:NEG AUTO/BOAT HMCD-UNDER INFLU
Statute: CR.2.503Description:NEG AUTO/BOAT HMCD-UNDER INFLU
Amended Date: CJIS Code:1 0900MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From: 12/27/2014 To: 12/27/2014 Victim Age:
Charge No: 004Description:NEG HMCD-AUTO/BOAT-WHILE IMPAI
Statute: CR.2.504Description:NEG HMCD-AUTO/BOAT-WHILE IMPAIRED
Amended Date: CJIS Code:1 0693MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From: 12/27/2014 To: 12/27/2014 Victim Age:
Related Person Information
(Each Person related to the case other than the Defendant is shown)
Name:WHITE, CANDICE N
Connection:COMPLAINANT/POLICE OFFICER
Agency Code: ADAgency Sub-Code:5901Officer ID:H991
Event History Information
Event Date Comment
RCAS 01/09/2015 0SD02924;0SD02925;0SD02926;0SD02927
WARI 01/09/2015 150109;AD 5901;1;ARR;D15000912-3
WARS 01/09/2015 150109;D15000912-3;
INIT 01/09/2015 150109;02500000.00;HDOB;100; ;1322
CMIT 01/09/2015 DEFENDANT COMMITTED;150109;BCJ

 

DISTRICT COURT OF MARYLAND
Case Information
Go Back
Court System: DISTRICT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY – TRAFFIC SYSTEM
Citation Number: 000000SD02927Case Status:ACTIVE CASE
Violation Date: 12/27/2014 Violation Time: 02:36 PM
Violation County: BALTIMORE CITY
District Code: 01 Location Code: 01
AgencyName:BPD-CENTRAL DISTRICT
Officer ID:H991
Defendant Information
Defendant Name:COOK, HEATHER ELIZABETH
Address:8 KNOLL RIDGE CT APT 1722
City: BALTIMOREState:MDZip Code:21210
Race:WHITE,CAUCASIAN,ASIATIC INDIAN,ARAB
Sex:FHeight:507Weight:250
DOB:09/21/1956
Charge Information
Charge: Article:TASec:21Sub-Sec:1124.3Para:Code:
Description: USE (TEXT MSG DEV,HANDHLD PHONE) WHILE DR., CAUSE ACC. W/(DEATH,SER. BOD. INJ.) OF ANTHR DIR. RESULT
Location Stopped: 5700 BLK. ROLAND AVENUE
Contributed to Accident?: NO Personal Injury?: NO
Fine: 0 Related Citation Number: 0SD02924
Vehicle Tag: 56837BY State: MD Vehicle Description: 01SUBARU
Event History Information
Event Date Comment
RCAS 2015-01-09 002B02285572
WARI 2015-01-09 010915;AD 5901;1;ARR;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;I TO W
WARS 2015-01-09 010915;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;W TO A
ADDR 2015-01-09 4325 CABIN CREEK HURLOCK RD. HURLOCK MD21643
INIT 2015-01-09 010915;02500000.00;HDOB;100; ;1322
PRAP 2015-01-09 ;PRA APPEARANCE SUBMITTED
PRNA 2015-01-09 P;PRA JOSE MOLINA PRSN PHYSIC
SAAP 2015-01-09 T;SA PARTICIPATED BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SANA 2015-01-09 SA KURT BJORKLUND
CMIT 2015-01-09 DEFENDANT COMMITTED;010915;BCJ
DISTRICT COURT OF MARYLAND
Case Information
Go Back
Court System: DISTRICT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY – TRAFFIC SYSTEM
Citation Number: 000000SD02926Case Status:ACTIVE CASE
Violation Date: 12/27/2014 Violation Time: 02:36 PM
Violation County: BALTIMORE CITY
District Code: 01 Location Code: 01
AgencyName:BPD-CENTRAL DISTRICT
Officer ID:H991
Defendant Information
Defendant Name:COOK, HEATHER ELIZABETH
Address:8 KNOLL RIDGE CT APT 1722
City: BALTIMOREState:MDZip Code:21210
Race:WHITE,CAUCASIAN,ASIATIC INDIAN,ARAB
Sex:FHeight:507Weight:250
DOB:09/21/1956
Charge Information
Charge: Article:TASec:21Sub-Sec:902Para:A2Code:
Description: (DRIVING, ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE) VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL PER SE
Location Stopped: 5700 BLK. ROLAND AVENUE
Contributed to Accident?: NO Personal Injury?: NO
Fine: 0 Related Citation Number: 0SD02927
Vehicle Tag: 56837BY State: MD Vehicle Description: 01SUBARU
Event History Information
Event Date Comment
RCAS 2015-01-09 002B02285572
WARI 2015-01-09 010915;AD 5901;1;ARR;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;I TO W
WARS 2015-01-09 010915;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;W TO A
ADDR 2015-01-09 4325 CABIN CREEK HURLOCK RD. HURLOCK MD21643
INIT 2015-01-09 010915;02500000.00;HDOB;100; ;1322
PRAP 2015-01-09 ;PRA APPEARANCE SUBMITTED
PRNA 2015-01-09 P;PRA JOSE MOLINA PRSN PHYSIC
SAAP 2015-01-09 T;SA PARTICIPATED BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SANA 2015-01-09 SA KURT BJORKLUND
CMIT 2015-01-09 DEFENDANT COMMITTED;010915;BCJ

DISTRICT COURT OF MARYLAND

Case Information
Go Back
Court System: DISTRICT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY – TRAFFIC SYSTEM
Citation Number: 000000SD02925Case Status:ACTIVE CASE
Violation Date: 12/27/2014 Violation Time: 02:36 PM
Violation County: BALTIMORE CITY
District Code: 01 Location Code: 01
AgencyName:BPD-CENTRAL DISTRICT
Officer ID:H991
Defendant Information
Defendant Name:COOK, HEATHER ELIZABETH
Address:8 KNOLL RIDGE CT APT 1722
City: BALTIMOREState:MDZip Code:21210
Race:WHITE,CAUCASIAN,ASIATIC INDIAN,ARAB
Sex:FHeight:507Weight:250
DOB:09/21/1956
Charge Information
Charge: Article:TASec:20Sub-Sec:102Para:A2Code:
Description: FAILURE TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN AND REMAIN AT SCENE OF ACCIDENT INVOLVING BODILY INJURY
Location Stopped: 5700 BLK. ROLAND AVENUE
Contributed to Accident?: NO Personal Injury?: NO
Fine: 0 Related Citation Number: 0SD02926
Vehicle Tag: 56837BY State: MD Vehicle Description: 01SUBARU
Event History Information
Event Date Comment
RCAS 2015-01-09 002B02285572
WARI 2015-01-09 010915;AD 5901;1;ARR;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;I TO W
WARS 2015-01-09 010915;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;W TO A
ADDR 2015-01-09 4325 CABIN CREEK HURLOCK RD. HURLOCK MD21643
INIT 2015-01-09 010915;02500000.00;HDOB;100; ;1322
PRAP 2015-01-09 ;PRA APPEARANCE SUBMITTED
PRNA 2015-01-09 P;PRA JOSE MOLINA PRSN PHYSIC
SAAP 2015-01-09 T;SA PARTICIPATED BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SANA 2015-01-09 SA KURT BJORKLUND
CMIT 2015-01-09 DEFENDANT COMMITTED;010915;BCJ
This is an electronic case record. Full case information cannot be made available either because of legal restrictions on access to case records found in Maryland rules 16-1001 through 16-1011, or because of the practical difficulties inherent in reducing a case record into an electronic format.
DISTRICT COURT OF MARYLAND
Case Information
Go Back
Court System: DISTRICT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY – TRAFFIC SYSTEM
Citation Number: 000000SD02924Case Status:ACTIVE CASE
Violation Date: 12/27/2014 Violation Time: 02:36 PM
Violation County: BALTIMORE CITY
District Code: 01 Location Code: 01
AgencyName:BPD-CENTRAL DISTRICT
Officer ID:H991
Defendant Information
Defendant Name:COOK, HEATHER ELIZABETH
Address:8 KNOLL RIDGE CT APT 1722
City: BALTIMOREState:MDZip Code:21210
Race:WHITE,CAUCASIAN,ASIATIC INDIAN,ARAB
Sex:FHeight:507Weight:250
DOB:09/21/1956
Charge Information
Charge: Article:TASec:20Sub-Sec:102Para:B2Code:
Description: FAILURE TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN AND REMAIN AT SCENE OF ACCIDENT INVOLVING DEATH
Location Stopped: 5700 BLK. ROLAND AVENUE
Contributed to Accident?: NO Personal Injury?: NO
Fine: 0 Related Citation Number: 0SD02925
Vehicle Tag: 56837BY State: MD Vehicle Description: 01SUBARU
Event History Information
Event Date Comment
RCAS 2015-01-09 002B02285572
WARI 2015-01-09 010915;AD 5901;1;ARR;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;I TO W
WARS 2015-01-09 010915;D15000912-3
SCHG 2015-01-09 T446;W TO A
ADDR 2015-01-09 4325 CABIN CREEK HURLOCK RD. HURLOCK MD21643
INIT 2015-01-09 010915;02500000.00;HDOB;100; ;1322
PRAP 2015-01-09 ;PRA APPEARANCE SUBMITTED
PRNA 2015-01-09 P;PRA JOSE MOLINA PRSN PHYSIC
SAAP 2015-01-09 T;SA PARTICIPATED BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SANA 2015-01-09 SA KURT BJORKLUND
CMIT 2015-01-09 DEFENDANT COMMITTED;010915;BCJ

___________________________________________________
Other Brew reporting on the Heather Cook case:
Grief and anger at scene of fatal bike crash (12/28/14)
Episcopal Bishop identified as driver in fatal bike crash (12/28/14)
Witness says car left scene of bike crash for 45, not 20, minutes (12/29/14)
Citing “forgiveness,” diocese elected Cook despite 2010 drunk driving infraction (12/30/14)
Online clamor over fatal bike crash includes calls for Cook to resign (12/31/14)
More than a thousand ride for Tom Palermo and safer biking (1/1/15)
OPINION: Justice for all? Why hasn’t Bishop Cook who struck bicyclist Palermo been charged? (1/5/15)
“She said she thought she had hit a bicyclist and was in shock,” priest says of Bishop Cook’s reaction to fatal crash (1/6/15)
Boys Latin students were first to stop to help injured cyclist Palermo (1/8/15)
Episcopal bishop to be charged with DUI, manslaughter and leaving scene of accident (1/9/15)
Bishop Heather Cook’s bail set at $2.5 million (1/9/15)
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