A Chicago man with a staggering 72 prior arrests is facing life behind bars after allegedly dousing 26-year-old Bethany MacGee in petrol and setting her alight on a city train
After allegedly dousing a woman in gasoline and setting on fire inside, a suspect’s jaw-dropping number of arrests has come to light. Lawrence Reed, who is accused of setting Bethany MacGee on fire aboard a city train, was reportedly already being electronically monitored for a separate assault.
The 50-year-old defendant now faces life in prison as prosecutors and officials slam the justice system for allowing a repeat offender to remain on the streets. MacGee, aged 26, is currently fighting for her life in hospital with severe burns, as her alleged attacker’s criminal past is being scrutinised.
Reed’s shocking criminal past stretches back over three decades, with The Associated Press revealing he’s spent 32 years in and out of the justice system since the age of 18. Moreover, he has reportedly racked up 72 arrests.
Assistant US Attorney Aaron Bond told the court that Reed’s rap sheet includes eight felony and seven misdemeanor convictions, True Crime News reported. Outraged by the attack, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “It is devastating that a career criminal with 72 PRIOR ARRESTS is now accused of attacking 26-year-old Bethany MacGee on Chicago’s L train and setting her on fire.”
At the time of the horrific incident, Reed was actually being electronically monitored for an aggravated battery charge after allegedly punching a social worker in August, according to AP. A federal judge has now ordered Reed to be held without bail over the train attack, with AP reporting he has no lawyer and is representing himself.
MacGee suffered horrendous burns and injuries in the unprovoked attack as she went on the Chicago Metro on November 17. Police soon arrested Reed, the Daily Star previously reported.
The victim has been left with the fire burning about 60% of her skin. The incident reportedly began on the Chicago metro late at night, when MacGee was allegedly followed and chased down the train by Reed, named by prosecutors.
According to reports, MacGee desperately tried to get away from the man as he continued to follow her up the carriages.
Reed allegedly then sloshed a huge amount of petrol on the woman, and lit the empty bottle before throwing it, setting her on fire.
She was eventually able to flee the train to safety, but is now fighting for her life following the crime.
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