Continuation of Murder Trial for Crosetti Brand in the Death of Jayden Perkins, a Boy Killed in Edgewater Stabbing that also Injured Pregnant Mother

CHICAGO (WLS) — The trial of a Chicago man accused of killing an 11-year-old boy in Edgewater continued on Monday.

Crosetti Brand, 39, faces several charges, including first-degree murder.

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Jayden Perkins was stabbed to death, while trying to protect his mother in March of 2024.

His mother Laterria Smith, who was pregnant at the time, was also seriously hurt.

Brand was released on parole the day before the attack.

On Monday, the 39-year-old suspect decided to represent himself in court. He requested a quick trial, which compelled the state to speed up the process of handing over evidence.

Opening statements began on Monday morning. The trial is expected to last about three weeks.

Laterria Smith filed a wrongful-death lawsuit, claiming that her son’s killing was preventable.

The deaths of Perkins and another woman, who was allegedly killed by her husband while on electronic monitoring in the Northwest Side, have prompted the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to prioritize domestic violence cases.

Since the lawsuit, two board members have resigned after and Governor JB Pritzker appointed a new executive director.

You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.