Judge denies ex-bishop's bid for early release from prison
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Baltimore Police Department shows former Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook. A Maryland judge is set to decide whether to reduce a prison sentence for the former Episcopal bishop who was drunk and texting when she struck and killed a bicyclist with her vehicle. The Baltimore Sun reports that Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy Doory is scheduled to preside over a hearing Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, for Cook's request for a reduction in her five-year sentence. The 62-year-old Cook has served approximately three years of her sentence for the 2014 collision that killed Thomas Palermo. (Baltimore Police Department via AP, File)
A Maryland judge has denied a request to reduce a five-year prison sentence for a former Episcopal bishop who was drunk and texting when she struck and killed a bicyclist with her vehicle.
Baltimore Circuit Judge Timothy Doory rejected Heather Cook's request at a Monday hearing. She had been seeking a reduction by having two of her four sentences changed so they would run concurrently instead of consecutively.
The 62-year-old Cook has served about three years for the 2014 collision that killed Thomas Palermo.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prosecutors and Palermo's relatives have opposed Cook's bid for early release.
Cook was the second-highest-ranking Episcopal leader in Maryland when the crash occurred.