Overview
- Judge Angela Munari-Petrone described the attack as exceptionally brutal before sentencing Brand to life in prison plus 120 years.
- A jury found Brand guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated domestic battery after he opted to represent himself at trial.
- Jayden Perkins was killed on March 13, 2024, when he intervened to protect his pregnant mother just one day after Brand’s parole release.
- Laterria Smith’s emergency protection request was denied on the day of the attack, underscoring systemic failures in survivor safeguards.
- The case prompted two resignations from the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and led Governor J.B. Pritzker to create a new domestic violence oversight position.