Woman Found Not Guilty in Chicago Police Squad Car Case Files to Change Her Name
CHICAGO — The woman who made headlines for running over a Chicago police officer with his own squad car during a 2022 incident is back in court — this time seeking a name change.
According to Cook County court records, 36-year-old Whitley Temple filed a petition on July 11 to change her first name to “Michelle.” The request comes more than a year after she was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the attempted murder of Officer Ed Poppish — a case that shocked the city and resurfaced questions about public employment and mental health monitoring.
The 2022 Squad Car Incident That Sparked Citywide Attention
The incident unfolded on Chicago’s West Side in the 4400 block of West Jackson, where Officer Poppish encountered Temple partially undressed while responding to a shots-fired call. As he radioed for backup, Temple suddenly addressed him by name, climbed into his CPD patrol vehicle, and took control of the car.
As reported by CWB Chicago, Temple told the officer, “Let me go. This has nothing to do with you,” before reversing the squad car — dragging Officer Poppish into another vehicle. He suffered a concussion and required stitches for a head wound.
Temple fled in the patrol SUV, made a brief stop at a gas station, then entered the Eisenhower Expressway, reportedly hitting speeds of 97 miles per hour before crashing into multiple vehicles during the escape.
Insanity Ruling and City Employment Raised Public Outcry
Temple was charged with attempted murder, vehicular hijacking, and several other felonies. But after a prolonged bench trial, Judge Tyria Walton ruled her not guilty by reason of insanity in May 2024. The ruling allowed Temple to avoid prison time, but required regular mental health evaluations.
Amid the legal proceedings, Temple secured a role as a lead accountant for the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services. She remained employed while facing felony charges — a fact that only became public in 2024, prompting sharp criticism and eventually leading to the city ending her employment.
The case gained renewed attention earlier this year after media outlets revealed Temple’s job status while awaiting trial.
New Petition Seeks a Legal Name Change to “Michelle”
More than a year after the verdict, Temple is now seeking a clean slate. In her court petition, she affirmed that she has no felony convictions or pending charges, and that she has not received felony probation without a pardon — both requirements for name change eligibility under Illinois law.
Temple has also filed a Rule 298 Petition to waive court fees associated with the name change, citing financial hardship. Her first hearing on the matter is set for August 25, and Judge Walton is expected to continue receiving quarterly mental health “fitness updates”, with the next one scheduled for August 13.
The public records do not indicate Temple’s current employment status or whether she remains under supervised psychiatric care.
A Complicated Legal History with Ongoing Public Questions
The name change request raises continued debate around public safety, mental health rulings, and transparency in city hiring. Temple’s previous role in a municipal department while awaiting trial for a violent felony became a flashpoint in Chicago political circles.
Whether the court will approve her request remains to be seen, but the upcoming hearings will likely renew media interest and spark further public conversation about how such high-profile cases are handled post-acquittal.
Should Whitley Temple be allowed a fresh start, or should her public history remain part of her identity? Join the conversation now at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.