A chilling act of violence unfolded on a Chicago train this week, leaving a young woman critically injured. Lawrence Reed, a man with a staggering history of 49 prior arrests, allegedly doused a 26-year-old woman in flammable liquid and set her ablaze, screaming obscenities as she desperately fought to extinguish the flames.
Bystanders bravely intervened, managing to put out the fire and provide initial aid to the victim, who was subsequently hospitalized with severe burns. The full extent of her injuries remains unknown, but the trauma is undeniable and the scars, both visible and invisible, will likely last a lifetime.
However, this horrific attack wasn’t a random act of fate. It was a tragedy foreshadowed, a consequence of a decision made within the Cook County justice system. A warning, stark and direct, was issued to a judge just weeks before the assault.
Following Reed’s 49th arrest in August – this time for allegedly assaulting a security worker – a Cook County assistant state’s attorney explicitly cautioned Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez about his extensive criminal past. The attorney predicted his next offense would “likely be violent,” and argued that electronic monitoring wouldn’t be sufficient protection for the public.
Despite this clear and urgent plea, Judge Molina-Gonzalez released Reed on an ankle monitor. Her justification, a dismissive statement that she “can’t keep everybody in jail because the State’s Attorney wants me to,” reveals a troubling disregard for public safety and a concerning prioritization of leniency over protection.
Reed’s lengthy criminal record, stretching far beyond the scope of a typical case, should have served as a resounding alarm. Yet, he was granted freedom, a decision that now carries the weight of devastating consequences. A woman is now battling for her life, and a community is left reeling in fear and anger.
The question now looms large: what measures will be taken to prevent similar tragedies? Is it time to hold judges accountable for decisions that demonstrably endanger the public, and explore the possibility of prosecuting those who prioritize release over safety?
