Chicago, Illinois – A member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board has resigned after a parolee, whom they approved for release, went on to commit a heinous crime. LeAnn Miller oversaw the parole hearing of Crosetti Brand, who was released from prison a day before fatally attacking an 11-year-old boy and his pregnant mother in Edgewater.
Brand, 37, was released from the Stateville Correctional Center after serving about seven years and was placed on electronic monitoring. However, he proceeded to break into Laterria Smith’s home in Edgewater, where he fatally stabbed Jayden Perkins and critically wounded Smith and her unborn child.
While on previous parole, Brand had made threatening text messages towards the victim and had even violated a lifetime order of protection. He had been sent back to prison in February for a parole violation and had a history of violence, including an attack on Smith in 2015, just days after their relationship ended.
Illinois Governor Pritzker expressed deep concern over the handling of the case, emphasizing the need for better safeguards and training to prevent such tragedies. The board and the Illinois Department of Corrections will review current rules and procedures related to cases involving domestic violence.
As a response to the incident, Governor Pritzker will appoint a new member to the Prisoner Review Board following a thorough search. The tragedy has sparked a reevaluation of parole practices and protocols to better protect victims of domestic violence in the future.
The resignation of the Review Board member highlights the importance of thorough consideration and careful decision-making in parole cases involving violent offenders to avoid such devastating outcomes. The community mourns the loss of young Jayden Perkins and stands in solidarity with Smith as she recovers from this tragic incident.
Authorities are committed to ensuring justice for the victims and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of effective oversight and decision-making in parole and release processes to safeguard the community from potential harm.