Judge released Chicago suspect weeks before arson attack on Bethany MaGee, claimed she 'can't keep everyone in jail'

Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez approved the release of Lawrence Reed in August over objections from prosecutors, around 2 months before Reed allegedly set a woman on fire aboard a Chicago Blue Line train, according to court transcripts.

Reed, 50, is now facing federal charges for committing a terrorist attack or act of violence on mass transportation. Prosecutors say he used gasoline and a lighter to ignite a 26-year-old woman, identified as Bethany MaGee, on Monday night aboard a CTA train near the Clark/Lake stop.

Records show that during the August 22 detention hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jerrilyn Gumila told the judge to keep Reed in custody. She warned that electronic monitoring “could not protect the victim or the community from another vicious, random, and spontaneous attack.”

Gumila detailed an incident just three days earlier at MacNeal Hospital, where Reed was admitted to the locked psychiatric unit. Surveillance video captured him knocking a social worker unconscious. “He became irate and slapped the victim in the face with an open palm,” she said. The worker was later diagnosed with a corneal abrasion, a concussion, a chipped tooth, and ongoing neurological symptoms.

“Hospital staff then confirmed she will likely have optic nerve bruising… and has been experiencing memory issues,” Gumila told the court.

The prosecutor also outlined Reed’s criminal history, including a 2020 arson at the Thompson Center and multiple felony convictions. “The defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of, especially this victim… and the community as a whole,” she said. “There is nothing here indicating that the defendant was provoked.”

A pretrial officer noted Reed triggered a “new violent criminal activity flag” and rated “four out of six” on the likelihood of re-offense. Maximum monitoring conditions were recommended if he were released.

Molina-Gonzalez rejected the state’s petition, responding: “I understand your position, but I can’t keep everybody in jail because the State’s Attorney wants me to.”

Reed’s defense attorney, Nicholas Yannias, argued Reed’s behavior stemmed from untreated mental illness. “Jail is not an asylum,” he said. “Mr. Reed needs services.”

The judge ordered Reed to electronic monitoring but granted him 40 hours per week outside the home, exceeding the 16 hours typically allowed under the SAFE-T Act. Another judge later expanded those hours further for church activities.

Reed allegedly carried out Monday’s attack at 9:25 pm, a time outside any permitted movement window. Federal prosecutors now say he is “simply too dangerous for pre-trial release.” He is being held pending a detention hearing on Friday.