CHICAGO (WLS) — A jury reached a guilty verdict for Crosetti Brand after deliberations began Thursday.
Brand was convicted of severe domestic violence, attempted premeditated murder, forcefully entering a residence, and two counts of first-degree murder.
Post-trial motions will begin June 30.
This is a breaking news report. The following is from a previous report.
Brand is the man who was accused of killing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and injuring his pregnant mom in Edgewater.
The family of a slain 11-year-old was emotional during closing arguments Thursday.
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Brand’s former girlfriend, Laterria Smith, was stabbed 11 times in the incident.
The attack happened in March of last year, just a day after Brand was released on parole.
Now, he’s facing murder and attempted murder charges.
Perkins was stabbed once in the chest and died.
Brand is representing himself in court.
The defense and prosecutors rested Thursday.
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke was in the gallery watching closing arguments.
A Cook County prosecutor argued before jurors Brand held true to his death threats, and came after Smith hours after he was released from jail.
“Jayden, only 11 years old, displayed courage and strength. However, he stood no chance against the adult assailant armed with a knife,” stated Stephanie Gersch, a prosecutor from Cook County. “Despite his brave attempt to protect his mother, this young boy tragically lost his life.”
In the defense closing arguments, Brand told jurors it was Smith who had a knife.
“The defendant was not attempting crime. The defendant was attempting to defend himself,” Brand said. “Defending yourself is not a crime.”
He went on to argue, “This was cold-blooded cruelty. Laterria Smith killed her own son.”
During the closing arguments, Perkins’ mother and relatives left the court at times, overwhelmed with emotion.
Perkins’ grandmother left court early on, and let out a loud scream that could be heard inside the court room.
Brand and Smith had an unstable relationship since 2006. Prior to this tragedy, Brand had previously assaulted Smith after she alighted from a bus, leading to a restraining order being issued.
The jury got the case Thursday evening.
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