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CHICAGO (WLS) — A man facing charges for shooting two Chicago police officers, resulting in one’s death, was ordered to remain in custody as he awaits trial, following a court session on Thursday.
Appearing before the court was Alphanso Talley, accompanied by his family and the widow of Officer John Bartholomew, the officer whose life was tragically claimed in the incident. Talley stood accused of the fatal act.
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Throughout the proceedings, Talley was repeatedly admonished for interrupting and speaking out of turn.
The case has sparked inquiries into why a person with a history of violent felonies was not previously incarcerated, especially after allegedly committing additional offenses.
This situation has also intensified scrutiny over Cook County’s electronic monitoring system, prompting calls for revisions to the Illinois SAFE-T Act to enhance its efficacy.
Court records show Talley had an arrest warrant pending for committing a carjacking and armed robbery before Saturday’s shooting at Swedish Hospital.
That’s where he’s accused of killing Bartholomew and wounding his partner.
This happened after Talley had been arrested for an armed robbery just hours earlier that day.
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A judge had released the seven-time felon on electronic monitoring for his prior crimes which he violated when he failed to show up to court in March to face those charges.
The 26-year-old has been charged with more than a half-dozen felonies since 2017.
While the tragedy has some Republican state lawmakers calling for changes to the SAFE-T Act, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker criticized Judge John Lyke, who released Talley on electronic monitoring before last Saturday’s shooting.
“And you saw that the judge, you know, wants to blame everybody else, but it was right before the judge,” Gov. Pritzker said. “Judge could have made the decision, didn’t make the decision.”
Supporters of pre-trial release say that 94% of those released pending trial – never commit another crime.
Meanwhile, questions remain over how Talley got the gun into Swedish Hospital that day.
Sources told ABC7 that Talley was likely searched three times without a weapon being detected.
At last check, Officer Bartholomew’s partner is still in the hospital but improving.
Funeral arrangements announced
The visitation for Bartholomew is set for 2 to 8 p.m. May 7 at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, located at 5649 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago.
The funeral is planned for 10 a.m. May 8 at the same location.
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