Naked Chicago Woman Found Not Guilty of Attempted Murder After Video Shows Incident

A Chicago woman, Whitley Temple, has been acquitted of all charges after stealing a police squad car and dragging an officer while naked in a 2022 incident. Temple's defense attorneys successfully argued insanity as she believed she was sexually assaulted and that people were after her.

### Naked Chicago Woman Acquitted of Attempted Murder

Whitley Temple, 35, was found not guilty of all charges by Cook County Judge Tyria Walton on Wednesday, May 30, 2024. The charges stemmed from a June 13, 2022, incident in which Temple allegedly stole a police squad car and dragged an officer while naked. Video footage captured the incident, which went viral on social media and resurfaced after Temple's acquittal.

### Officer Dragged After Car Theft

According to police reports, Chicago Police Officer Edward Poppish responded to a shots fired call in West Garfield Park on the day of the incident. Upon exiting his patrol vehicle, Temple assaulted Poppish and drove off in his car, leaving him with head injuries that required stitches.

### Mental Insanity Defense Successful

Temple's defense attorneys argued that their client was "in a psychotic state" at the time of the incident. They stated that she had been exhibiting erratic behavior in the days leading up to the incident and believed that people were after her and that she had been sexually assaulted.

### Judge Agrees with Insanity Plea

Judge Walton agreed with the defense's arguments of mental insanity and found Temple not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of aggravated battery to a police officer, vehicle hijacking, and possession of a stolen vehicle. She was also found not guilty of the attempted murder charge.

### No Prison Time for Temple

While Temple will remain free, she must report to court for a meeting with mental health officials to create a treatment plan. She will not face any prison time for her actions.

### Officer Recovering

Officer Poppish, a 23-year veteran of the force, is still recovering from the incident. He was initially hospitalized for his head injury but has since returned to work.

### Community Reaction

The community has expressed mixed reactions to Temple's acquittal. Some people believe that she should be held accountable for her actions, while others feel that her mental health issues should have been taken into consideration.

### CPD Superintendent Comments

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, who initially condemned Temple's actions, has not yet commented on her acquittal. However, the CPD has stated that they respect the court's decision and will continue to provide support to Officer Poppish.

### Case Raises Questions

Temple's case raises questions about the intersection of mental health and criminal responsibility. It also highlights the challenges that law enforcement officers face in dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises.

### Ongoing Discussion Expected

The acquittal is likely to spark ongoing discussions about the adequacy of mental health services in Chicago and the need for better training for police officers in dealing with such situations.