Chicago man accused of setting train passenger on fire had 72 prior arrests

November 26, 2025

A 50-year-old Chicago man with extensive criminal history and mental illness, Lawrence Reed, attacked 26-year-old Bethany MaGee by dousing her with gasoline and setting her on fire while she was on a train on November 17th. Reed, who had 72 prior arrests and was out on electronic monitoring after allegedly assaulting a social worker in August, pleaded guilty in court to charges including committing a terrorist attack. The White House has politicized the incident, blaming Illinois Democrats' elimination of cash bail requirements for allowing Reed to remain free, while President Trump threatens to withhold federal funding from the state over this policy.

Who is affected

Bethany MaGee (26-year-old victim suffering from severe burns)
Lawrence Reed (50-year-old defendant facing potential life sentence)
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (facing criticism from the White House)
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (facing criticism from the White House)
The state of Illinois (facing potential loss of federal funds)
MaGee's family

What action is being taken

Bethany MaGee is fighting for her life in medical care
Lawrence Reed is being prosecuted for charges including committing a terrorist attack
President Donald Trump is seeking to withhold federal funds from Illinois over its elimination of cash bail

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing national debate about criminal justice reform, specifically the elimination of cash bail systems and their potential public safety consequences. The case raises critical questions about how the justice system handles repeat offenders with mental illness and whether monitoring systems adequately protect public safety. The White House's political response demonstrates how criminal incidents are being weaponized in broader partisan conflicts over crime policy between federal and state governments.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC