howsteepisit

Much better description of whats going on Achoo. Thanks

achoo

No problem.

I don't recall reading anywhere in any of the articles that there was anyone not involved who saw the accident itself. It seems as if the only witnesses to the actual hitting were the driver and the cyclist.

That would definitely make the police work slower.

Chris516

I agree. The Washington Post still has the ongoing story buried.

look566 rider

Hopefully the way that LE is handling this leads to the most severe charges available to this incident.

Chris516

Here is a link on the statute of limitations in the State of Maryland

Maryland Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws - FindLaw

unterhausen

I called it, she was texting when she hit him. Oh, and she blew .22 blood alcohol.
Bishop Heather Cook to be charged with manslaughter in hit and run death of Thomas Palermo - Baltimore Sun
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/10/us...case.html?_r=0

photogravity

Wow. Just WOW! I doubt I'd be able to stand up with a 0.22 BAC. Let's hope the states attorney can turn the charges into a conviction.

photogravity

The attorney read out seven separate charges against the drunken bishop. Let's hope justice is served.

cbender

From the State's Attorney's press conference, here are the seven charges filed against her:

1) Vehicular manslaughter
2) Criminal negligent manslaughter
3) Driving under the influence, resulting in a homicide
4) Use of a text messaging device while driving that resulted in an accident
5) Duty of a driver to remain at an accident resulting in death
6) Duty of a driver to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury
7) Driving under the influence of alcohol

FBinNY 

I expect it'll be turned into a plea bargain of some sort. But the DA has good cards in his hand, and shouldn't have to settle for anything less than a serious prison sentence, possibly someplace near the lower end of the manslaughter range.

As for the BAC of .22. Keep in mind that alcohol tolerance varies tremendously. Some chronic drinkers can function with BACs that would incapacitate non drinkers.

photogravity

You're right, it is seven charges... The attorney must have been nervous because she repeated items 5 and 6 twice.

photogravity

I totally agree. I have several alcoholics in my family and am amazed at the number of drinks they can slam down yet still function.

cbender

I noticed that, but thought it was because I paused the playback while typing. Guess it was real. Apparently she is new to the job this week, so understandable if she's not completely polished or a bit nervous with the press.

unterhausen

I think it's more like "appear to be functioning." Yeah, they can appear not to be as inebriated as the rest of us, but their driving is just as bad as anyone else that is inebriated.

FBinNY 

I agree. I was simply responding to the person who doubted that she could stand up.

FBinNY 

I suspect that this might not be an error. I don't know Maryland law, but there's a good chance that leaving the scene of a death and leaving the scene of an injury are different issues. The DA is probably covering bases in the event of a disagreement about exactly when the victim died. At trial, the jury can toss one of the two and convict on the other.

Charging lesser included charges is SOP in criminal cases. Look at the first and second charges and the 3rd and seventh. This allows convictions in the event that the the defendant is acquitted on the most serious charge.

Years ago, there was a murder case in NYC, in which the weapon was tossed out the window after. The charges ran the full gamut from murdrer to assault with a deadly weapon all the way down to littering (for tossing the G-n out into the street).

photogravity

That's not what I said. I said, "I doubt I'd be able to stand up with a 0.22 BAC."

FBinNY 

Now we're really splitting hairs. I'm sorry I ruffled your feathers, but my initial response was about the variation in alcohol tolerance without referencing anybody. If I really wanted to split hairs, I could apologize instead for thinking you were a woman.

photogravity

Not splitting hairs and my feathers aren't ruffled. I'm just saying that's not what I said. Strangely, there have been folks who, in phone conversations, have thought I was a woman.

Number400

Just a complete shame and totally avoidable. Human nature can really suck sometimes and I feel that people will repeat behaviors until they are caught or until they cannot repeat that behavior. I think drunk driving is completely inexcusable and that if anyone is caught doing so, they should not be able to plead out and/or should have a lockout device on their vehicle to help curb a repeat offense. I KNOW Maryland uses these devices. I am not sure how long they are required to use them but they should be mandatory on any vehicles registered to the owner, even if they have a suspended license. Bottom line is if you are pulled over and blow over the limit, then you should have to face a ban.

mconlonx

Now how come important people get this treatment:

"A warrant was issued for Cook's arrest at 11:02 a.m., according to court documents. As of early Friday afternoon, she was not in custody. Her attorney, David Irwin, said details of her surrender were being worked out."

...whereas if it were you or me, there would have been a knock at the door by uniformed officers who would have dragged us off to jail?

'The charges come after days of angst among [BF A&S members], who questioned why Cook had not been more promptly arrested.

Mosby said there was nothing out the ordinary in the way the case was handled.

"We had to conduct a thorough investigation," Mosby said. "What the police was able to do was rather expeditious."'

How can something be not out of the ordinary, but expeditious at the same time...?

That bishop is certainly screwed, especially since this is a second DUI offense. For those who wish her the worst, hope that she was still on probation for the first charge.

Chris516

Same in my family.
I am an LCMS-Lutheran. But just like the 'offending' clergy in the Catholic Church involved in those cases. Bishop Cook should also be held accountable in this case.

genec

Jeeze texting and drunk... what an unholy combination.

look566 rider

Outstanding!

No sugar coating from the state's lawyer. Hopefully defense lawyers don't muck this up. Hopefully this person will see the responsibility she has and pleads guilty to the most appropriate charges.

Like this person,

Confession video... - because I said I would.

If I remember correctly, he was sentenced to 8 years in state prison system.

photogravity

That's a very powerful message. It's a shame more people don't own up to their mistakes and take full responsibility for their actions.