Woman Acquitted of Running Over Chicago Police Officer Seeks Name Change
The woman who was found not guilty by reason of insanity after running over a Chicago police officer with his own squad car is now seeking to start afresh by changing her name.
Whitley Temple, who was acquitted last year of attempting to murder Officer Ed Poppish during a bizarre 2022 West Side encounter, has filed a petition on July 11 to legally change her first name to “Michelle,” according to Cook County court records.
Temple, 36, faced accusations of violently carjacking Poppish’s squad car in the 4400 block of West Jackson after he stopped to help her. Poppish found Temple partially undressed and lying in the street as he responded to a shots fired call.
As he radioed for help, Temple got up, addressed the officer by name, and took control of his squad car.
“Let me go. This has nothing to do with you,” she allegedly told him before reversing the vehicle and dragging Poppish into another car. He suffered a concussion and needed stitches for a head injury.
Temple fled the scene in the patrol car, briefly stopped at a gas station, then continued onto the Eisenhower Expressway, reaching speeds of 97 mph before exiting and crashing into multiple vehicles, prosecutors said.
Judge Tyria Walton ruled Temple, charged with attempted murder, carjacking, and other felonies, was not guilty by reason of insanity after a drawn-out bench trial that ended in May last year.
While awaiting trial, Temple secured a job as a lead accountant for the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services. She remained employed there while facing attempted murder charges. The city ended her employment after media reports made her situation public in early 2024.
Now, Temple wants to turn the page.
In a name change petition filed this month, Temple informs the court that she has no felony convictions or pending charges and has never received felony probation without a pardon.
Although Temple was found not guilty over a year ago, Judge Walton continues to receive “fitness” updates regarding Temple every three months, with the next “fitness hearing” scheduled for August 13, according to court records. Her first court date for the name change matter is August 25.
Temple has also submitted a “298 Petition” in the name change matter, seeking to have court fees waived, as per the records.
