Bishop Cook, accused of hitting cyclist Thomas Palermo with her while driving drunk and distracted has been indicted. She could be on track for a long sentence.
The charges include automobile manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident. Other charges in the indictment include homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol; driving while impaired; texting while driving during an accident that results in death or serious bodily injury; reckless driving; and negligent driving.
Cook has been free on bail while awaiting trial; she is scheduled for arraignment March 5.
Meanwhile, the church continues to deal with issues related to what they knew and when they knew it.
Good news.
Posted by: Fred | February 06, 2015 at 11:01 AM
So. If you kill someone while driving a car and
- are drunk,
- are texting while driving,
- leave the scene without calling 911,
- and have a job where you are expected to hold to a high standard of conduct,
then you are likely to be charged with automobile manslaughter.
This is what is known as "the exception that proves the rule." The rule, of course is that it is OK to kill people, so long as you use a car to do it. That rule remains intact.
Nevertheless, this is good news.
Posted by: Jonathan Krall | February 06, 2015 at 12:39 PM
jonathan, the answer to that is yes, but that is not the floor. Drivers have been charged with manslaughter by automobile in Maryland for less. Cases I know of:
David Henry was drunk and left the scene.
Mehraban Demhri left the scene.
Timothy Rinehart and his father were both charged with manslaughter, but only the father was drunk (and not driving at the time - though this was in question).
Scott Davis was convicted of the crime, but wasn't drunk and didn't leave the scene.
Quinzy Fraser was drunk and tried to flee, but not texting.
Just a few examples.
Posted by: washcycle | February 06, 2015 at 01:21 PM
The problem is most of the sentences for those indictments would be concurrent. I'm sure someone smarter in the law than me could do a quick take on the guidelines, but I'm guessing the max she's looking at is 15-20. And realistically with diminution credits, she would be out in 8-10. Hardly seems fair to me for taking someone's life in such a callous manner.
Posted by: T | February 06, 2015 at 01:43 PM
Thanks! Things are more hopeful than I thought.
Posted by: Jonathan Krall | February 06, 2015 at 01:53 PM
T, as far as I know, the longest sentence anyone in Maryland was ever given for killing a cyclist is 7 years. So 10-15 would be a much longer sentence than the norm.
Posted by: washcycle | February 06, 2015 at 02:13 PM