Bishop Pleads Not Guilty in Bicyclist Death: Reports

Get the Towson Patch daily newsletter.

Bishop Heather Cook was arraigned Thursday in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

She was indicted on 13 charges in the death of bicyclist Thomas Palermo on Roland Avenue, according to WJZ. Authorities said Palermo was riding in a bike lane on Roland Avenue when he was hit on Dec. 27, 2014, and Cook left the scene and later returned.

Online court records show the indictment included charges of manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated, homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence and nine traffic violations.

Cook pleaded not guilty, her lawyer told WJZ.

While she did not make any public statements in Circuit Court Thursday, Cook effectively entered a plea of not guilty by accepting a trial date, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Her lawyer also spoke with Palermo’s family briefly, according to WBAL. Five members of Palermo’s extended family were at the courthouse, The Baltimore Sun reported.

A trial is scheduled for June 4, according to Fox 45.

It was not Cook’s first run-in with the law. For a drunk driving charge in 2010 on the Eastern Shore, she paid a $300 fine and was given probation before judgment, court records show.

• Maryland Bishop Accused Of Killing Bicyclist Has Drunk Driving History
• Diocese Knew of Bishop’s DUI, ‘Practiced Forgiveness’

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby said during a press conference in January that Cook was texting at the time of the fatal crash in north Baltimore and registered a 0.22 blood alcohol level on a breathalyzer afterward. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 in Maryland.

Cook was charged Jan. 9 and released on $2.5 million bail, at which point her lawyer reportedly said she was going to receive treatment for alcoholism.

• State’s Attorney: Bishop Drunk, Texting at Time of Fatal Bike Crash
• Bail for Bishop Set at $2.5 Million
• Ex-Boyfriend Posts Bail for Bishop

In the aftermath of the crash on Roland Avenue, cyclists have held memorial rides in honor of Palermo, who built custom bicycles.

National church leaders have filed a complaint alleging that Cook may have violated church law, according to NBC Washington. The Episcopal Diocese has also for the resignation of Cook, who became Maryland’s first female Episcopal bishop in 2014.

Want more news? Get the Towson Patch daily newsletter.

• Diocese Calls for Maryland Bishop to Resign
• Funeral Service Planned for Cyclist Thomas Palermo, 41

Photo Credit: Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.