Send To Friend 
CaptionTweet This! http://mync.com/site/41843/
The doctor accused of being drunk and crashing into the vehicle of a ballet dancer is out of jail on bond, but is now facing an upgraded charge of second degree murder instead of just DWI.
Police say Dr. Raymond Cook was drunk when he hit Elena Shapiro's car Friday night while traveling at more than 80 mph.
She died from the injuries resulting from that wreck.
Over the years, lawmakers in North Carolina have steadily increased fines, punishments and jail times for drunken driving cases. The state allows DWI charges to be upgraded if there are aggravating circumstances in the case.
"We have new charges here, and of course they are much more serious charges," said Attorney Roger Smith Jr. after appearing with his client in court on Tuesday.
"We are going to investigate this case and work with the District Attorney's office to receive any and all evidence that they give us," Smith explained.
North Carolina has some of the strictest drunk driving laws in the country.
Former prosecutor Michelle Sparrow is now a defense attorney with an office in downtown Raleigh.
She offered some insight into the factors involved in the county's decision to upgrade the charges.
"What prosecutors are looking at and submitting to the court are things that aggravate the DWI to second degree murder," Sparrow said.
She says aggravating factors would include "prior DWIs, or if a person was fleeing to elude police. It would also include reckless driving, or excessive speed."
She said prosecutors would use "those things to show a total disregard for others."
Following his court appearance Monday, Cook's lawyer said his client voluntarily surrendered his license to practice in North Carolina as well as his faculty position at UNC and his job at WakeMed Facial Plastic Surgery.
His attorney also said the death of Shapiro will be with him and Elena's family forever.
"Time might heal some things, but it will never take away this hurt and this loss," Smith said as he read from a statement written by Cook.
Report Abuse 
Comments
By ronnie on 09/18 11:09 AM
Hey Jerome spoken like a true freeloading Black family, maybe you would feel different if it where one of your brothers or sisters in Elena's car instead of her.
By Nota on 09/18 07:56 AM
Roger Smith is a total idiot who will defend any worthless piece of crap that comes his way. Should be disbarred.
By Mort on 09/17 07:53 AM
Oh, Jerome, GIVE US A BREAK. What a bunch of crap. This KILLER should hang. Save your "prayers" for yourself. "Unforeseeable realities"? Really? You're evidently delusional. After getting smashed with your buddies, having a few more drinks with your mistress, then jumping in your car and driving 90 mph down a residential street, is killing someone really "unforeseeable"? REALLY, JEROME????? You need help.
By Jerome Perry on 09/16 08:49 PM
While tragic with the death of Ms. Elena Bright Shapiro, we/I can not fathon the self overwhelming guilt, and despair Doctor Cook is in right now; along with Ms. Bright's family. Dr. Cook, has and is a mainstay communitee care giver. Doc Cook many times, over the years provided his expertice & services at little and/or no-cost for low income or NO income individuals in NC. We can't lose this man. To Ms. Bright's family, we all pray with you. At this time, go to Cook finding the pain and anger realizing we live in a world of unforeseeable realities; heal each other. Healing is not only his way, but in the family just losing the healer and friend we had in dance and now in sprit.
By ronnie on 09/16 12:46 PM
I hope Elena's family takes this piece of crap for all he is worth. WRAL also said he left with a woman, but she was not in the vehicle when murder happened. So, more than likely he is cheating on his ignorant wife.
By Dr.unk Death Ray on 09/16 09:59 AM
What exactly is stopping him from doing this again — his conscience, ethics, scruples, principles - oh yeah, all those things that failed him Friday night? If he gets off lightly on this, he will repeat his command performance, it is a statistic that does not lie. Oh, should I have faith in the Physicians Substance Abuse program that he starts on Friday? He has nothing else to focus on right now... hope he makes the best of it!
By No fan of Dr. Death!! on 09/16 12:27 AM
According to WRAL, Dr. Death got tossed out of Piper's Tavern for being loaded before the accident. See: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6010195/ The DA needs to pull his credit card records and find out where he was, how much he spent at each place and grill everyone on duty at each of those places to get the full story leading up to his road rage rampage!!!
Post A Comment
Commenting is not available in this section entry.