Jayden Perkins death: Murder trial continues for Crosetti Brand; boy killed in Edgewater stabbing that injured pregnant mother
Share this @internewscast.com

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.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

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

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

Jayden Perkins was stabbed to death, while trying to protect his mom 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 took on the role of defending himself in court. He requested a speedy trial, which required the state to quickly provide all relevant 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.

In response to the deaths of Perkins and another woman whose husband was under electronic surveillance during her alleged homicide on the Northwest Side, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has now prioritized 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.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Islanders sign Alexander Romanov to $50M contract

Islanders Ink Alexander Romanov to $50 Million Deal

The Islanders got another piece of business done before the opening of…
Ryland Headley guilty: Man, 92, convicted of murder of Louisa Dunne in Bristol in UK's longest-running cold case

92-Year-Old Ryland Headley Convicted of Louisa Dunne’s Murder in UK’s Oldest Cold Case

A 92-year-old man has been found guilty of the rape and murder…
Capitol Police arrest man who disrupted Senate debate on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill': 'You people are awful'

Capitol Police Detain Individual for Interrupting Senate Discussion on Trump’s Proposal: ‘You’re Terrible People’

Capitol Police apprehended a man on Sunday after he disrupted the Senate…
Paramount, Trump in 'advanced' settlement talks: court filing

Paramount and Trump Engaged in ‘Advanced’ Settlement Discussions, Court Documents Reveal

Paramount Global and former President Donald Trump are in the midst of…
Federal funding still frozen for Northwestern University medical research; school has not heard from Trump administration

Federal Funding Remains Frozen for Northwestern University’s Medical Research; University Awaits Response from Trump Administration

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — Northwestern experienced an unexpected halt in millions of…
A 19-year-old in a neck brace holds a lobster roll.

19-Year-Old Suffers Broken Neck in Unusual Beach Accident While Trying to Cool Off

A TEENAGER has been left with a broken neck following a freak…
NYPD officers in Washington Square Park following the NYC Pride March.

Teen Shot Near Stonewall Inn Amid Chaos at NYC Pride, Hours After Bear Spray Incident Injures 50

TWO teenagers were shot near the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday night…
Four young men rescue dog, save East Arlington house from fire

Four Young Heroes Save Dog and Prevent House Fire in East Arlington

The men were riding around their neighborhood Sunday evening when they noticed…
Firefighters ambushed in Coeur d'Alene shooting

Coeur d’Alene Shooting Targets Firefighters in Ambush

A shelter-in-place directive was removed after the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported…
Chilling 'coincidence' of Idaho shooting sends Internet sleuths into overdrive

Idaho Shooting’s Eerie ‘Coincidence’ Triggers Online Detectives’ Frenzy

On Sunday, a tragic ambush in Idaho targeted firefighters, coinciding with the…
New York's Historic Roosevelt Hotel Is a 'Migrant' Shelter No Longer

Roosevelt Hotel in New York Reverts from ‘Migrant’ Shelter to Historic Landmark

Winning sometimes happens bit by bit, and other times it arrives in…
North Korean IT workers infiltrated Fortune 500 companies in massive fraud scheme

North Korean IT Workers Deceive Fortune 500 Companies in Major Fraud Operation

Federal authorities have discovered numerous plans by North Korea to finance its…