Chicago, Illinois – A member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board has stepped down after approving the release of a known domestic abuser who went on to fatally attack a child and a pregnant woman. LeAnn Miller presided over Crosetti Brand’s parole hearing, allowing him to be released the day before the tragic incident in Edgewater earlier this month.
Brand, 37, was released from prison on electronic monitoring after serving about seven years. He then broke into a home in Edgewater, where he fatally stabbed 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and critically wounded his mother, Laterria Smith, along with her unborn child. Brand had previously threatened the victim with text messages and violated a lifetime order of protection by showing up at her home, leading to his return to prison for a parole violation in February.
Governor Pritzker expressed concern over the lack of careful consideration given to evidence in the case, emphasizing the need for additional safeguards and training to prevent similar tragedies. Pritzker extended his thoughts to Laterria Smith as she recovers and to the family of Jayden Perkins during this difficult time.
Pritzker announced plans for a review of current rules and procedures related to cases involving domestic violence within the Prisoner Review Board and the Illinois Department of Corrections. A new member will be appointed to the Board following a thorough search to ensure accountability and proper handling of such cases in the future.
The incident has sparked discussions on the handling of parole cases involving known offenders with a history of domestic violence. The safety and well-being of victims in such cases are paramount, leading to calls for enhanced training and procedures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again.
As the community mourns the loss of Jayden Perkins and supports the recovery of Laterria Smith, authorities and advocates are working towards implementing measures to improve the handling of parole cases and provide better protection for victims of domestic violence. The resignation of the Prisoner Review Board member underscores the need for accountability and reform within the system to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from happening in the future.