Overview

• Opening statements highlighted the bravery of Jayden Perkins, who was fatally stabbed while protecting his pregnant mother during a home invasion in Edgewater, Chicago, in March 2024.
• Prosecutors allege that Crosetti Brand, released from prison just one day before the attack, forced his way into Laterria Smith’s apartment and stabbed her 11 times before killing her son.
• Brand, with a documented history of domestic violence and multiple convictions, is representing himself in the trial, asserting a self-defense claim despite overwhelming evidence presented by prosecutors.
• Laterria Smith, the first witness to testify, emotionally recounted the attack and identified Brand as her son’s killer, temporarily halting proceedings due to a panic attack.
• The case has drawn attention to systemic failures in parole oversight, prompting resignations from the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and reforms to prioritize domestic violence cases.