The 50-year-old man facing federal terrorism charges for allegedly setting a woman on fire aboard a Chicago train had repeatedly violated his court-ordered curfew and movement restrictions, according to court records. The incident, which occurred on November 17, was preceded by multiple instances of non-compliance with electronic monitoring protocols.
During a prior case involving a violent offense, Reed was placed on electronic monitoring but continued to breach his curfew and movement restrictions, raising concerns about the effectiveness of such measures in preventing potential threats.
The victim, later identified as 26-year-old Bethany MaGee, sustained severe burns to her face and body and remains in critical condition, according to authorities.
Lawrence Reed had been ordered onto electronic monitoring on August 22, when Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez denied a prosecution request to keep him jailed on felony allegations that he knocked a social worker unconscious while at MacNeal Hospital’s psychiatric ward. During that hearing, transcripts show Molina-Gonzalez told prosecutors: