Man accused of killing Chicago officer sent back to jail by same judge who freed him
A 27-year-old man accused of killing a Chicago police officer was ordered back into custody on June 2 in an unrelated carjacking case by the same judge who had previously released him on electronic monitoring before the alleged murder.
Seven-time convicted felon Alphanso Talley appeared for a court hearing regarding an alleged violation of his release conditions stemming from a 2025 armed robbery and carjacking case, according to Fox 32.
Talley, wearing a green jail jumpsuit and shackles, appeared before Cook County Circuit Court Judge John Lyke Jr., who granted prosecutors’ request to revoke his pretrial release in the carjacking case.
The Alleged Cop Killer
Talley made headlines after authorities accused him of fatally shooting a police officer and wounding another while he was on electronic monitoring. Judge Lyke faced criticism for his earlier decision to release Talley pending trial.
According to reports, Talley had been arrested hours before the shooting in connection with an alleged armed robbery at a nearby Family Dollar store. Prosecutors say he pistol-whipped a female employee before fleeing with her keys and wallet.
Court transcripts obtained by Fox News show Lyke referencing Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, a 2021 law that eliminated cash bail, when explaining his decision to release Talley.
“Presumably he would have had a minimum, collectively, of $1 million bail, and he would have needed $100,000 to get out,” Lyke said. “Our esteemed Legislature says, ‘No, we’re not going to do that anymore. We’re going to make judges take a critical look at it.’”
Authorities alleged Talley was unaccounted for in the electronic monitoring system when he gunned down Officer John Bartholomew, 38, and seriously wounded another officer at Swedish Covenant Hospital on April 25.
When officers arrested him at around 8:20 a.m., Talley allegedly claimed he had consumed narcotics and needed medical treatment.
Prosecutors say that while receiving treatment, at approximately 10: 50 a.m., he retrieved a gun from beneath a blanket and shot both officers in an attempt to escape.
“He was going to attempt an escape when he pretended to swallow drugs,” prosecutors previously told the court while arguing for Talley to remain behind bars pending trial. “He knew the police would take him to the hospital for his own well-being. He knew he would be uncuffed at that time. He did that to officers who simply took him to the hospital for his own well-being.”
“It is clear to this court that you pose a threat to any person you’re around,” Judge D’Anthony Thedford said. “If you’re out — you’re dangerous. I cannot trust that you will follow any orders that this court gives. No conditions that I can propose can keep the community safe from you.”
Talley’s Criminal History
According to Illinois Department of Corrections records, Talley has faced multiple criminal cases over the past nine years.
His criminal history includes convictions for four counts of aggravated robbery with a firearm in 2017, unlawful use or possession of a firearm by a felon in 2021, battery of a peace officer in 2023, and possession of or aiding and abetting possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Talley is scheduled to return to court on June 3 for a hearing related to the alleged shooting. His next court date in the carjacking and armed robbery case is set for July 15.
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Source: Front Page Detectives
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