By TopTrendReportTv
August 31, 2024
CHICAGO— A woman who stole a Chicago police officer's patrol car and struck the officer with it was found not guilty by reason of insanity and will now receive outpatient mental health treatment. During a recent court hearing, Judge Tyria Walton not only handed down this decision but also granted the woman permission to leave town for a vacation.
The incident occurred in June 2022 when Chicago Police Officer Ed Poppish responded to a report of shots fired. He encountered the woman, later identified as Temple, lying partially unclothed on West Jackson Boulevard. As Poppish radioed for an ambulance, Temple suddenly got up, began repeating his name, and walked around him to enter the driver's seat of the squad car.
Poppish attempted to stop her, but she allegedly told him, "Let me go. This has nothing to do with you." Two videos capturing the subsequent events quickly went viral. One video, recorded by a city surveillance camera, and another, filmed by a witness, show the squad car reversing, dragging Poppish into another vehicle. He struck his head in the process, sustaining a concussion and requiring six stitches.
In a victim impact statement, Poppish described the incident as "probably the most terrifying experience I’ve had in my life," stating that he genuinely believed he might not survive.
Following the trial, Judge Walton ordered a post-trial evaluation of Temple, which was completed over the summer. After reviewing the expert's report, Walton decided against placing Temple in an inpatient treatment facility. Instead, she will undergo outpatient treatment for five years, unless a motion is filed to shorten or extend this period.
After the sentencing, Walton also approved a defense request allowing Temple to travel out of state for a vacation. The judge will hold hearings every 90 days to monitor Temple's progress, though Temple is not required to attend unless her treatment providers submit a negative report.
While awaiting trial, Temple secured a job as a lead accountant with the city's Department of Family and Support Services. However, she lost the position earlier this year after it became public that she was on trial for allegedly trying to kill a Chicago police officer.
Last month, Judge Walton revealed that she had been receiving threats since finding Temple not guilty. Walton stated in open court that she had received phone calls from individuals claiming to be members of the Chicago Police Department, warning her to "watch [her] back" and threatening that someone might be shot because of her ruling. She also reported receiving racially charged messages criticizing her decision.
Despite the threats, Walton remains resolute. "I’m not moved by any of it," she said. "My decision was based on the evidence in this case and the law that supports my ruling in this case. Period... but there has been a threat on my life. But I’m not moving, I’m coming to work every day, and I’m not staying in my house. I’m going to move freely. That’s that."
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