Bail was set at $2 million Friday for a Chicago man who faces multiple charges after police say he led them on a chase that turned deadly.
Timothy Jones, 20, of the 12500 block of South Union Avenue was charged with one count of murder, armed home invasion and armed robbery among other charges, including leaving the scene of a deadly accident and not having insurance.
Police say Jones broke into a home in the 7800 block of South Ellis Wednesday morning then sped off. Officers chased him for several blocks, but at 76th and Yates, a police SUV collided with two cars, killing 54-year-old Jacqueline Reynolds.
"The defendant continued to speed, disregarding numerous stop signs and stop lights and reaching speeds well over 60 miles per hour," said Assistant State's Attorney Christina Brewer.
Some witnesses blamed police for the woman's death because if was a police SUV that hit her, but police said the SUV did have its lights and siren on at the time of the crash.
"It's not his fault. I mean, everybody said it's police fault," Jones' brother said Friday in the lobby of the Cook County Criminal Courts Building. He declined to give his name.
Jones' defense attorney said his criminal record is not comparable with others behind bars, noting he only has a pending misdemeanor assault charge out of Missouri and no felony convictions. The attorney also questioned the timing of the 911 call reporting the home invasion and the time of the chase.
Jones' ex-girlfriend also defended him.
"I don't think it's fair at all. If the officers hit her, I don't think it's fair at all that he's charged with her murder," said Brittany Davis. "He goes to school. He's in college."
