Latest news with #CrosettiBrand
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Jayden Perkins murder trial: Chicago man found guilty of murdering 11-year-old boy
CHICAGO - A verdict has been reached in the trial of Crosetti Brand, the man accused of fatally stabbing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins as the boy tried to protect his mother during an attack in their Edgewater home. Brand was found guilty on all counts, according to prosecutors. The jury needed less than 90 minutes to return guilty verdicts on all charges, including murder, home invasion and aggravated domestic battery. What we know Brand was facing 17 charges stemming from the March 13, 2024, incident, according to officials. He represented himself during the trial. Prosecutors said Brand stabbed Perkins to death after he allegedly broke into the family's Edgewater home and attacked his mother, LaTerria Smith. Perkins was trying to defend her when the attack happened, according to previous FOX 32 reports. A 5-year-old boy, Perkins' brother, also witnessed the attack, but was unharmed. Brand had previously been in a relationship with Smith, who was denied an emergency order of protection against him shortly before the attack, according to FOX 32. He had been released from jail just one day before the stabbing. This is a developing story and we'll bring more updates as they become available. Defense rests in murder trial of Chicago man accused of killing 11-year-old boy Murder trial for Chicago man accused of slaying 11-year-old boy begins
CBS News
4 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Mom of murdered 11-year-old Jayden Perkins on facing killer in court as he represented himself: "This is sick"
The mother of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, who was stabbed to death protecting her from an attack by her ex-boyfriend, said his memory kept her strong as she had to face his killer in court. Laterria Smith was pregnant when she was stabbed 15 times by Crosetti Brand outside her home in Edgewater. Her son Jayden was killed trying to help her. "So I ran down the hall, trying to get away from him. Blood was just gushing from my neck. And that was like, 'I'm about to die,'" Smith recalled. "He, he stabbed my son. My son hit the floor. I said, 'Jayden, please get up.' He didn't move or anything. It just looked like my baby was sleeping right there on the floor." Smith and her baby girl survived; her daughter Jayda is named after the brother she will now only know through photos and videos. Brand was quickly caught and charged following the attack. "I want to see the person who did this to my son be put away forever," Smith said. A year later, Smith had to face Brand in court and, because he represented himself at trial, she was forced to be grilled by him on the witness stand. "I never even looked at him," she said. "I'm like sitting here, having to answer questions from the person who took my child away from me. This is sick." It was her son who kept her focused and strong. "At that moment, all I kept thinking about was my son Jayden. I'm like, 'I'm gonna sit here and do what I have to do so that I can get justice for him, 'cause I wanna see him, Brand, put away forever,'" she said. The 11-year-old was remembered for his talent, singing and dance, and how he'd light up a stage. His mom said he had drive and big dreams that were ripped away when he was killed. His memory is precious to her. "He always told me that, 'You're the best mom,'" she said through tears. "He always tell me like how much he love me and how great I'm doing as a mom." Jayden was a member of the Gus Giordano Dance Studio, where there is now a scholarship in his name. The first recipient was his best friend.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Afternoon Briefing: Closing arguments underway in Crosetti Brand trial
Good afternoon, Chicago. At just 11 years old, Jayden Perkins was brave and strong, prosecutors said today, but he was 'absolutely no match' for the grown man who rushed at his mother and stabbed her repeatedly. In a tense courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, prosecutors began their closing arguments to the jury after a more than three-week trial that involved more than 30 witnesses and some 300 exhibits. Crosetti Brand, 39, is charged with murder, attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated domestic battery, accused of killing Jayden as he tried to protect his pregnant mother, Laterria Smith. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Members of the City Council's Latino Caucus are calling for an investigation into how Chicago police responded to Wednesday's demonstration outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in the South Loop, where federal agents detained immigrants and clashed with aldermen. Read more here. More top news stories: While Gov. JB Pritzker scored wins during legislative session, cellphone ban, other initiatives fell short Illinois affirms right to emergency abortions, following Trump administration's change in federal guidance After its inaugural year as a state-funded effort, Illinois' court-based rental assistance program for tenants struggling to pay rent and their landlords will stop accepting applications tomorrow and will see a third of its funds wiped away in the 2026 fiscal year that begins July 1. Read more here. More top business stories: Chicago Bears player Joe Thuney paid $1.7M for Lake Forest home Streeterville 3-bedroom home with custom stone bathrooms: $2.7M Jerry Reinsdorf and Justin Ishbia reached a long-term investment agreement that establishes a framework for Ishbia to obtain a future controlling interest in the Chicago White Sox, the team announced today. Read more here. More top sports stories: Chicago baseball report: Cubs waste Matthew Boyd's strong start — while White Sox pitcher shines in Double A 5 Chicago Cubs who could make the National League All-Star team with fan voting underway Two Chicago chefs have fought long and hard to make it to the 'Top Chef' season finale, which airs tonight and concludes June 12 on Bravo. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: 'The Better Sister' review: Estranged sisters reunite after a husband is murdered. Cue the intrigue. 'The Phoenician Scheme' review: Wes Anderson and Co. embark on an elaborate save-a-soul mission Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Vatican's child protection advisory commission today for the first time amid questions about his past handling of clergy sex abuse cases and demands from survivors that he enact a true policy of zero tolerance for abuse across the Catholic Church. Read more here. More top stories from around the world: David Jolly, a Trump critic and former GOP congressman, to run for Florida governor as a Democrat What the Trump travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics in the US
Chicago Tribune
13 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Closing arguments underway in Crosetti Brand trial
Good afternoon, Chicago. At just 11 years old, Jayden Perkins was brave and strong, prosecutors said today, but he was 'absolutely no match' for the grown man who rushed at his mother and stabbed her repeatedly. In a tense courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, prosecutors began their closing arguments to the jury after a more than three-week trial that involved more than 30 witnesses and some 300 exhibits. Crosetti Brand, 39, is charged with murder, attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated domestic battery, accused of killing Jayden as he tried to protect his pregnant mother, Laterria Smith. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Members of the City Council's Latino Caucus are calling for an investigation into how Chicago police responded to Wednesday's demonstration outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in the South Loop, where federal agents detained immigrants and clashed with aldermen. Read more here. More top news stories: After its inaugural year as a state-funded effort, Illinois' court-based rental assistance program for tenants struggling to pay rent and their landlords will stop accepting applications Friday and will see a third of its funds wiped away in the 2026 fiscal year that begins July 1. Read more here. More top business stories: Jerry Reinsdorf and Justin Ishbia reached a long-term investment agreement that establishes a framework for Ishbia to obtain a future controlling interest in the Chicago White Sox, the team announced today. Read more here. More top sports stories: Two Chicago chefs have fought long and hard to make it to the 'Top Chef' season finale, which airs tonight and concludes June 12 on Bravo. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Vatican's child protection advisory commission today for the first time amid questions about his past handling of clergy sex abuse cases and demands from survivors that he enact a true policy of zero tolerance for abuse across the Catholic Church. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Closing arguments to begin in murder trial of Crosetti Brand, accused of stabbing pregnant woman and killing her son
Closing arguments are set for Thursday in the murder trial of Crosetti Brand, who is accused of stabbing an 11-year-old boy and seriously injuring the boy's pregnant mother in March 2024. Brand, 39, is charged with 17 counts, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, armed robbery, home invasion and domestic battery. His jury trial began last month. He is accused of going to his pregnant ex-girlfriend Laterria Smith's apartment in the Edgewater neighborhood in March 2024, and stabbing her in the neck. When her son, Jayden Perkins, tried to intervene to protect her, Brand allegedly stabbed him in the chest. Smith, 33, was critically wounded, but survived. Her son died. Brand has said Smith attacked him, and he was acting in self-defense, and has denied killing Perkins. Smith sought an order of protection against Brand in February 2024, despite him going back to prison for violating his parole, including by trying to break into her home weeks before. The request for the order of protection was denied. Meantime, Brand was granted parole on March 12, the day before he allegedly stabbed Smith and her son – hours before a scheduled hearing on her case. In the wake of Smith's death, Illinois Prisoner Review Board chairman Donald Shelton and board member LeAnn Miller resigned amid the revelation the board had approved Brand's parole the day before Smith was killed.
