On November 17, a Chicago man named Lawrence Reed was arrested for allegedly setting a woman on fire after dousing her in gasoline. The incident involved 26-year-old Bethany MaGee, who survived but is reportedly dealing with severe burns. The White House has described Reed as a “career criminal” with a significant criminal history, including 72 prior arrests, eight felony convictions, and seven misdemeanors.
During a court appearance, Reed reportedly shouted “I’m guilty” multiple times after being informed that he could face a life sentence for charges that include committing an act of terrorism. This case has drawn attention not only for its brutality but also for discussions surrounding crime policies. The White House has suggested that Reed’s release prior to the incident was a result of “soft” crime policies implemented by Democrats in Illinois, as both the state and the city of Chicago are under Democratic leadership.
President Trump is considering withholding federal funds from Illinois due to the state’s recent elimination of cash bail, a measure that allows individuals to be released from jail before trial by posting a monetary amount. Reed had been previously charged in August for aggravated battery and was released with electronic monitoring, despite objections from prosecutors.
According to prosecutors, MaGee was reading her phone when Reed approached her from behind on a train and set her on fire. Surveillance footage reportedly captures the moment she attempted to extinguish the flames as Reed looked on. Following the incident, Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged it as a tragic event and pointed to failures in both the criminal justice and mental health systems. He previously advocated for redirecting funds from police to other public services but, during his mayoral campaign, stated that he would not cut police budgets.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4drle9k12o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss