Man accused in CTA fire attack due in court for terrorism, multiple arson charges

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The man facing a federal terrorism charge for allegedly setting a woman on fire on a CTA Blue Line train is due in court on Tuesday.

Lawrence Reed, 50, was indicted in the CTA fire incident and in an alleged blaze at Chicago City Hall three days before that attack.

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Reed has also been accused of trying to sexually assault a female CTA rider, and then attacking a man who intervened in March.

Reed is accused of dousing 26-year-old Bethany McGee in gasoline and setting her on fire on a Blue Line train Nov. 17.

She remains in the hospital with critical injuries.

Reed is facing federal terrorism charges in that attack, and has pled not guilty.

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Reed has a lengthy criminal history, including over 70 arrests.

Prior to the Blue Line arrest, Reed was arrested in August for attacking a social worker at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, while Reed was a psychiatric patient.

A Cook County judge released him on electronic monitor following that.

The charges in the indictment are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

He is due in court at 10 a.m. on Tuesday for a status hearing at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

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