Cycling Advocates Demand Md. Bishop Be Charged In Bicyclist’s Death

[Warren Stupidity]

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — There’s new information about the driver behind the wheel of an accident that killed a cyclist in north Baltimore. She’s a high-ranking member of the Episcopal Church—who once pleaded guilty in a DUI case.

Mike Hellgren has more.

“It will be my special care to nurture all God’s people,” said Heather Cook on Youtube.

The Episcopal diocese confirms high-ranking Bishop Heather Cook was driving the Subaru Forester that hit bicyclist Thomas Palermo Saturday afternoon in Roland Park.

The diocese sent an email to clergy saying “Bishop Cook did leave the scene initially, but returned after about 20 minutes to take responsibility for her actions. Because of the nature of the accident could result in criminal charges, I have placed Bishop Cook on administrative leave, effective immediately.”

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/12/29/cycling-advocates-demand-md-bishop-be-charged-in-bicyclists-death/

[rug]

1. And?

[hrmjustin]

2. This is so sad! I met the bishop several times and like her.

My prayers for the victim, the bishop, families, and friends of those involved.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. I hesitate to ask, but what exactly do you think your prayers are going to do?

[hrmjustin]

4. Lift them up in prayer. Pray for the repose of the soul of the victim and strenght for the living.

[cleanhippie]

5. That should do it then.

Doing nothing will get the same results though, so...

[AtheistCrusader]

7. That'll make it all better.

[annabanana]

57. Thank you

At the very least (note to the atheists) It couldn't hurt.

[Warren Stupidity]

58. Oh well actually it might hurt, if the person being prayed for knows about it.

But indeed prayer seems to be mostly for the benefit of the person praying. It makes that person feel better about "stuff".

[AtheistCrusader]

63. Yep, catharsis for the person doing it. You can tell because they make damn sure to tell everyone

they are doing it.

It's sad, really.

[hrmjustin]

60. No it won't hurt and you're welcome.

[AtheistCrusader]

62. Really? I've seen it reduce people to tears.

And not in a 'grateful, emotional way'.


'note to atheists'.

[AtheistCrusader]

8. Who are you to assume that the victim would appreciate that?

Ask Richard Tillman if he appreciated all the prayers Pat Tillman received after the army got him killed, and lied to everyone about how it happened.

How nice of you to be presumptuous enough to assume, clearly with no research whatsoever, that your 'gesture' is welcome.

[Act_of_Reparation]

59. Sounds a lot like that privilege we are told does not exist here, doesn't it?

Sure sounds like it to me.

[AtheistCrusader]

6. What a fucking asshole.

Left the scene? I don't care who you are, that's jail time.

I've been winged by TWO cars, both left the scene. It's bullshit.
'Came back to take responsibility' my ass. Came back because guilt trip, or thought someone got her plate.

I fucking HATE hit and runs. Jail.

[Goblinmonger]

23. No kidding.

I haven't been actually hit by a car but I was run off the road and into a mailbox. Did some serious damage to my arm and leg (thankfully not the bike).

And if you leave the scene of an accident, you should be assumed to be DUI.

[rug]

26. "And if you leave the scene of an accident, you should be assumed to be DUI."

Why?

[Goblinmonger]

76. As indicated below

This is why.

I see it a lot here in WI. Person leaves, waits until alcohol would have left the system, goes to police. And then you find out they have a DUI history. Wonder why they left.

That was the case here but she came back early for some reason.

It's bullshit. I fully realize it isn't legal and probably shouldn't happen.

[rug]

77. Post hoc ergo propter hoc is a fallacy.

You might even call it a hunch. But not an assumption.

[Goblinmonger]

78. Do you not think her blood alcohol level had something to do with this?

And I fully admitted my thoughts weren't legal nor should they happen. But I've seen it too many times.

[rug]

79. It undoubtedly did, but I wouldn't have assumed it without evidence.

Texting is catching up to alcohol as a cause of car crashes. Evidence of her texting has upped the charge to manslaughter.

[AtheistCrusader]

80. Prior history is a form of evidence.

Thin, but evidence.

[rug]

81. Which is why its kept out of trials.

[AtheistCrusader]

82. Fair enough. But back to the original question of 'why', it could discourage people fleeing the

scene, for the 'I went home and had a couple drinks to calm my nerves' defense.

[rug]

83. As a matter of fact, that is a defense in a case right now.

[AtheistCrusader]

84. I won't be surprised if it's used in this one.

Still, you'd get to use it against her, at least, for the return trip to the scene, since by all accounts, she drove herself back.

[rug]

85. Yes, that's true.

A dilemma. Still, DUI is better than manslaughter. But then they still have the texting for that.

[Goblinmonger]

86. So I'm just throwing out thoughts now.

What about "intent to sell" laws. Those laws, as I understand, are based on the weight that you are carrying. They don't have to prove that you were going to sell it. They just assume that based on the weight of the drugs you have. Couldn't the same standard be applied. If you leave the scene of an automobile accident, we assume that you were DUI and that will be added on to the charges.

[rug]

94. That;s called a legal presumption.

It's actually a rule of evidence. It means something that does not have to be proven, as in the presumption of innocence.

In drug and gun cases, most states have a statutory presumption. It works like this. If the police stop a car and drugs are found in the console, all occupants in the car can be charges with possession. Or, if the police enter a room and find a weapon, the presumption is that all occupants of the room possess the weapon. These presumptions are all rebuttable though.

In the possession with intent to sell laws, you're dealing with a statutory inference. Given the prescribed weight, it may be inferred that it was not simply for personal use and the inference is that that amount was intended for distribution.

Given the various reasons one may leave an accident, it can not licitly be inferred or presumed the driver was drnk. That element of the crime requires evidence.

What is interesting about this manslaughter charge is that the evidence of texting, plus the evidence of alcohol, allows the inference of reckless disregard for human life which resulted in a homicide.

[trotsky]

9. I hope that the bishop receives a fair trial, and if convicted, is sentenced appropriately...

for this horrible crime. Thankfully I don't think her church can shield and protect her like the RCC has done with their pedophile priests.

[hrmjustin]

10. No we can't shield her and she has been put on leave as far as I saw.

She can't carry out her ministry until the leave is over but I think she is likely looking at jail time.

[AtheistCrusader]

11. oh boy 'her ministry'. Who gives a shit. She killed someone.

[AtheistCrusader]

14. 'We' certainly are attempting to.

"On Sunday evening, the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland identified Cook as the driver. She has been placed on administrative leave "because the nature of the accident could result in criminal charges," Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton wrote in an email sent to clergy members on Sunday. He added that the accident was not a “hit-and-run” as some news agencies reported. “Bishop Cook did leave the scene initially, but returned after about 20 minutes to take responsibility for her actions," Sutton wrote."

That's a hit and run.

§ 20-102. Driver to remain at scene - Accidents resulting in bodily injury or death.

(a) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to or death of another person immediately shall stop the vehicle as close as possible to the scene of the accident, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.

(b) The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to or death of another person immediately shall return to and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has complied with § 20-104 of this title.

[An. Code 1957, art. 661/2, § 10-102; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1986, ch. 472, § 1; 1988, ch. 6, § 1; 1991, ch. 346, § 1; 1998, ch. 781; 2001, ch. 483; 2002, chs. 461, 462.]

§ 27-113. Violation of § 20-102 of this article.

(a) Serious bodily injury defined.- In this section, "serious bodily injury" means an injury that:

(1) Creates a substantial risk of death;

(2) Causes serious permanent or serious protracted disfigurement;

(3) Causes serious permanent or serious protracted loss of the function of any body part, organ, or mental faculty; or

(4) Causes serious permanent or serious protracted impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

(b) Penalty for serious bodily injury.- A person who violates § 20-102 of this article ("Driver to remain at scene - Accident resulting in bodily injury or death&quot and who knew or reasonably should have known that the accident might result in serious bodily injury to another person and serious bodily injury actually occurred to another person, is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $5,000 or both.

(c) Penalty for death.- A person who violates § 20-102 of this article ("Driver to remain at scene - Accident resulting in bodily injury or death&quot and who knew or reasonably should have known that the accident might result in the death of another person and death actually occurred to another person, is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $10,000 or both.

[2002, chs. 461, 462.]

§ 5-106. Prosecution for misdemeanors; manslaughter by automobile, motorboat, etc.; homicide by motor vehicle.

(p) Manslaughter by automobile, motorboat, etc.; homicide by motor vehicle; stopping at scene of accident.- A prosecution for an offense under Title 2, Subtitle 5 or § 2-209 of the Criminal Law Article or § 20-102 of the Transportation Article shall be instituted within 3 years after the offense was committed.

"Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton" is already engaged in deflecting and minimizing the possible charges, which can influence jury outcomes.

So, 'Right as usual, sir.'.

[AtheistCrusader]

16. And no, I'm not going to take your bait and follow you into your fucking echo chamber.

[okasha]

17. You're right, AC.

It's all about you.

[AtheistCrusader]

19. Thanks for confirming. I was pretty sure, but one never knows.

[rug]

21. What bait? What echo chamber?

What the fuck?

[AtheistCrusader]

22. Herp derp. Whatever man.

[Goblinmonger]

24. Feel free to use either of these

I think both are appropriate.

[rug]

25. Does that smiley have a particular meaning to you?

[okasha]

30. He thinks justin posted this story in Interfaith

to lure him there.

[AtheistCrusader]

34. I can read timestamps as well as anyone.

Coincidence, I suppose.

Ya'll want to ban me from your echo chamber, go ahead. I'm not going to hand it to you.

[hrmjustin]

35. Are you for real?

[AtheistCrusader]

36. Negative, I am a meat popsicle.

[hrmjustin]

37. I was not baiting you so why are you making these bogus claims?

[AtheistCrusader]

38. Oh I believe you. My apologies.

A terrible misunderstanding, I'm sure.

[hrmjustin]

39. I accept you apology.

[AtheistCrusader]

40. It wasn't an apology.

Just like your thread wasn't bait.

[hrmjustin]

41. Why the hell do you think I need to bait you?

I wrote in there the story about a person I know who caused a death of another. Your responses to me annoyed me so I posted the story in Interfaith.

Why the hell do you think that is baiting you?

[AtheistCrusader]

42. You had two alternatives to retreating to a protected echo chamber within which you could ban

me at a single post. You chose neither.


But by all means, go tell Okasha that I was right in my interpretation of your abrupt relocation from this thread.

[hrmjustin]

44. Why is this about you?

Why are you making this about you?

You responded to my posts in here by looking for a fight. I didn't respond to you.

Instead of dealing with your responses I chose to post the story in Interfaith. I did that because it is a safe-haven and I knew you and the others would NOT bother me I there. You made clear you would not post in there anymore and I took you and continue to take you at your word.

I am not looking to ban you from interfaith. If the hosts wanted you banned from the room we could do that at anytime but we don't. You made clear your time there is done and that is it.

You annoyed me by picking a fight and I chose not to play and you got angry. It shows.

[AtheistCrusader]

45. I was angry before I responded to you at all.

I'm a member of three different cycling communities. I see this shit all too often. I see, as I posted earlier, a high-ranking member of that church is already hand-waving away the crime. So yeah, I'm pissed.

And I'm pissed at the general rank hypocrisy displayed by self-professed believers in some divine being of justice that pull this shit just a few months after admonishing (in metaphor about ignoring jesus) members of the church about DISTRACTED DRIVING.

I'm angry that she has every social indicator for judicial outcomes in her favor.

I'm angry about a lot of shit. You are pretty low on the list.

[hrmjustin]

46. Then why take it out on me? n/t.

[AtheistCrusader]

48. I don't have hidden motives.

Every single post that was directed at you, is 100% self explanatory.

[hrmjustin]

49. On that we both agree.

And I felt they were not worth responding to.

No one was baiting you. You were looking to pick a fight.

[AtheistCrusader]

51. You either don't know or don't care how this sort of sentiment can be received by other people.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1218&pid=173916

And I'm beyond giving you the benefit of the doubt over it.

[hrmjustin]

52. And you don't understand how your post is insulting.

Since you don't need to give me the benefit of the doubt anymore, then I know longer need to respond to you or read your posts.

Have a pleasant and healthy 2015.

[AtheistCrusader]

53. Ta-ta.

Hope you never actually encounter the wrong sort of bereaved person while spewing that nonsense. For their sake, and yours.

[rug]

47. If he wanted to bait him he could have posted a picture of a rosary.

[okasha]

50. Or a ham sandwich, or a petunia.

It's all about him and keeping the rage stoked.

[AtheistCrusader]

12. Her gender, race, and social status will spin the odds in her favor regardless.

http://cjp.sagepub.com/content/25/6/683.short

[trotsky]

13. Undoubtedly. n/t

[Cartoonist]

15. Just this once

Some of us here like to quip about how "this has nothing to do with religion", but this time I think it's true.

I've been doored a couple times. Being parked, they can't run. Didn't stop one of them for being annoyed at me.

[AtheistCrusader]

20. This was a little bigger than being doored.

A second passing bicyclist came by and called it in. She might well have killed him TWICE. Once by hitting him, and again by driving away and not calling paramedics. He died on the way to the hospital. Every second counts.

[Cartoonist]

32. Just commenting on drivers attitudes towards bikers

Did not mean to minimize this incident. I know there are hit and runs involving autos, but there seems to be more disregard for cyclists.

[AtheistCrusader]

18. Look at the rank hypocrisy of this asshole.

""And if we routinely drive 55 in a 30 mph zone, we won't be able to stop on a dime if driving conditions get dangerous. Or if an animal or, God forbid, a human being should step out in front of us. Things happen suddenly, and we're either prepared in the moment or we're not. And we face the consequences. We can't go back. We can't do it over. In real life, there are no 'instant replays'. I think this is something of a hard message to give to you today. My perception is that we live in the midst of a culture that doesn't like to hold us accountable for consequences. That somehow everybody gets a free pass all the time....it's up to us to be responsible"

&feature=player_embedded

What a piece of shit. 'Do as I say, not as I do.'

Typical religious hypocrite.

[DonCoquixote]

27. I appreciate the fact the Episcopals allowed female bishops

It gave the Catholics a big, hard slap in the face.

That being said, it is sad where someone who was not in the psotion of privledge, takes it, and then just proves that a lady can be just as much of a selfish creep as a man. No, women should not be held to higher standards, but that does not make the situation any less sad.

[AtheistCrusader]

28. Her gender is only interesting to me in

the statistical effect it has on sentencing outcomes. Other than that, she's just another human.

"God forbid"

Apparently not.

[hrmjustin]

29. Yes it is sad that she drove away

She will have to face the consequences of her actions and her collar should not give her any special treatment.

Our presiding bishop is also a woman.

[Kennah]

31. It's OK to kill cyclists

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/opinion/sunday/is-it-ok-to-kill-cyclists.html

[Warren Stupidity]

33. I have had numerous run ins with actual cars (4x) and insane

motorists (infinity and beyond.) The car incidents were all forgivable - we are frequently invisible, but wtf is wrong with the people driving the cars?

This summer I was waiting to make a left turn with everyone else on a two lane road, in the left lane (the right side of the left lane), just like all the other vehicles waiting to make the same turn, and some idiot in the right lane would not go past me to "turn right on red" (even though I was not in the right lane) and the person in the car next to me in the left lane started screaming at me to get out of the left lane. I was surrounded by lummoxes. IQ decreases by at least 20% while driving.

[Kennah]

43. I ride with 11 lights--10 on the bike, plus one on my helmet

I find the invisible argument implausible, but the texting/cellphone/otherwise distracted argument very plausible.

[Skittles]

54. I'll never understand how someone could leave an injured person

I would not do that to an animal

[Stargazer09]

55. To some drivers

Cyclists are less than animals. We don't matter. It's okay to kill us, because they don't think we belong on their roads. It makes me sick. (And unfortunately, also keeps me off my bicycle, more often than not. I'm not ready to die right now.)

[Skittles]

56. all the folk with that attitude plus all the nitwits with their handhelds

no way would I bike anywhere

[Hassin Bin Sober]

61. It takes a special kind of scum to not stop when a body caves in your windshield.

If it is shown the victim went 1 second longer without medical attention due to her fleeing, she deserves life behind bars.

Human scum.

[AtheistCrusader]

64. This asshole didn't return to the scene to take responsibility. She returned to the scene because

other cyclists chased her ass down and got the plate.

She came back, and drove past the scene once, and the cyclists who found Palermo followed her on their bikes to her home.

What a piece of shit. I'm sure she's a nice person though. :barf:

[kwassa]

66. Judge, jury, and executioner. You are really something.

Most of the details of this story are still unknown, yet you think you know this woman. You don't. Your tirade is uncalled for, it consists mostly of your personal projection of what you think happened combined with your anger against motorists.

I have no doubt she will be prosecuted in some fashion, and I don't think she will get any special treatment. I am still waiting to hear more facts of the case. She did come back, and I think that is important.

I don't know Bishop Cook, I do know Bishop Sutton, and he is a highly ethical man. Your interpretation of events are downright bizarre.

[AtheistCrusader]

67. I've listened to first hand witnesses, including the cyclists that chased her down.

Uncalled for my ass. Someone's projecting assumptions all right. Look in the mirror.

[kwassa]

68. You have little real information about the accident

and the only people that have that real information right now are the police.

You have no information about the Episcopal Church.

[AtheistCrusader]

69. I know the Bishop Eugene Sutton is a liar.

I posted the MD statute above. If she left for 20 minutes and then returned (witnesses say longer than that even) that is, by statute, a hit and run. So he's lying when he said it wasn't a hit and run.

I have info from actual witnesses that are coming forward, and using real names, not anonymous internet bullshit, so you can believe that 'I have little real info' all you want, I'll be back to rub your nose in it when the trial proceeds.

[kwassa]

71. Sutton may not be aware of the statute. That doesn't make him a liar.

Only in your religion-hating universe, perhaps.

I have the highest respect for the man.

And what witness information can you drop on us now? The only statement I saw was that of Moncure Lyon. Got others?

[AtheistCrusader]

73. His employment is uninteresting to me.

Bishop Cook's employment/vocation is interesting only in that she is a huge hypocrite, preaching fear to her congregation, using the analogy of accidentally running someone down, as a comparison to unexpectedly dying before 'coming to jesus'. Filthy, foul bullshit, even before she smashed a man with her car.

I do have to apologize for calling Sutton a liar. I found the full, un-edited text of his letter, and he isn't actually trying to minimize the characterization of the encounter as a hit and run. Several news organizations chopped that paragraph up and it sounded like he was trying to downplay it, but he is not.

Pastoral
To the Clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
Dear Colleagues, I am distressed to announce that Bishop Heather E. Cook was involved in a traffic accident Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27, that resulted in the death of a bicyclist, Thomas Palermo, 41. Bishop Cook did not sustain any injuries. Together with the Diocese of Maryland, I express my deep sorrow over the death of the cyclist and offer my condolences to the victim’s family. Please pray for Mr. Palermo, his family and Bishop Cook during this most difficult time. Please do not contact Bishop Cook directly, but feel free to send written notes to the Diocesan Center. There is an ongoing police investigation into the accident. Several news organizations have reported this as a ‘hit and run.’ Bishop Cook did leave the scene initially, but returned after about 20 minutes to take responsibility for her actions. Because the nature of the accident could result in criminal charges, I have placed Bishop Cook on administrative leave, effective immediately. I will meet shortly with the Standing Committee to discuss ways we can move forward. Also, I have decided to delay the beginning of my sabbatical to Jan. 24 to be pastorally present in this difficult time.+
Eugene
The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton Bishop of Maryland

Edit: The '20 minute' bit is being challenged by other witnesses, but that shit happens, doesn't make Sutton a liar, necessarily, if that's what he was told.

[hrmjustin]

70. I have met both bishops.

The whole thing is very tragic.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

72. Did you see the big fucking person-sized indentation in the car windshield?

What kind of fucking scumbag puts a human body almost through their windshield and doesn't stop Immediately??

Seriously.

She needs 25 years to life to think about it.

[Warren Stupidity]

74. You're jumping to conclusions.

or some other bullshit.

[AtheistCrusader]

75. .27 Blood Alcohol level. Middle of the afternoon on a Saturday, behind the wheel.

Ran him down and left him in the street to die.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/north-baltimore/bs-md-ci-palermo-announcement-20150109-story.html

[kwassa]

87. .22, actually, not that this makes much difference ....

Texting and driving while drunk. She is clearly an alcoholic, as was her father.

It is a great tragedy, Cook will spend considerable time in jail, and her career is over. I am very sorry for Thomas Palermo and his family. I still don't understand how she was elevated to bishop after the previous drunk driving event. She was unbelievably drunk.

Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook was charged Friday morning with manslaughter in the fatal crash that killed cyclist Thomas Palermo..

Cook faces numerous other charges including leaving the scene of a fatal accident, driving under the influence and causing an accident due to texting while driving. Both the manslaughter and leaving the scene charge carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

[Goblinmonger]

88. I think the .27 was from the last accident.

So she wasn't as drunk this time. At least there's that.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

95. I don't know why but the texting pisses me off more than the drinking.

At least a drunk has a fighting chance at looking at the road in good daylight conditions and avoiding running someone over. Someone texting might as well be wearing a blindfold.

I hope she has good insurance and or assets to go after to take care of the kids.

Hopefully the family attorney can go after the church and its deep pockets ( that is if she was on company time).

[hrmjustin]

96. The church is not liable.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

97. Ok Melvin Belli. We'll see about that.

[hrmjustin]

98. The church is not responsible for her actions.

The church has insurance for lawsuits so they will likely be able to settle a suit.

If they knew she was drunk then that might put individuals in the line for a lawsuit.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

99. Yes. That's what insurance is for.

If she was on church time and/or in a church provided/owned car and/or coming from a church function - the the church may or may not be held partially liable for the wrongful death. In that case, the church insurance policy would pay up to its limit. The church could be on the hook for any amount over the policy.

Little more involved than "the church is not responsible for her actions"... No?

[hrmjustin]

100. I was night time so my guess shd was not on church time.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

101. The article says Saturday afternoon. And yes, anything we say is a guess.

Except for Saturday afternoon.

[hrmjustin]

102. i thought it said evening.

Saturgays are usually a bishops day off.

[AtheistCrusader]

103. Might be, actually.

[hrmjustin]

89. Someone dropped the ball on the search committee.

Last edited Fri Jan 9, 2015, 06:10 PM - Edit history (1)

She should have never have been elected with that on her record.

[AtheistCrusader]

90. Initially this was reported as a consideration during the vetting process that was considered

and discarded. Now it's being reported as something that wasn't brought up.

Not that the church is responsible for her personal conduct outside work, or that 'reporting' is ever really all that accurate.

[kwassa]

91. She must have some kind of gift as a preacher ...

or is a great political schmoozer, if the search committee was willing to overlook her prior DUI. There must be some talent there, and a fatal flaw.

This account doesn't line up with the previous accounts that the search committee had all the facts about the DUI first. I wonder which is true.

[hrmjustin]

92. My understanding is that the House of Bishop requires a background check or they will not confirm

the election. An internal church investigation needs to be done to see what went wrong.

The presiding bishop needs to take charge of this situation.

[kwassa]

93. I agree.

Cook should have never been vetted. Whatever process they have is terribly inadequate.

[hrmjustin]

65. Md. Bishop Who Admitted To Striking Biker Has DUI Record

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/12/29/cycling-advocates-demand-md-bishop-be-charged-in-bicyclists-death/