Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced on Monday that the chair of the Illinois parole board and a member responsible for overseeing the parole hearing of Crosetti Brand have resigned from their positions. Brand is accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend and killing her 11-year-old son.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker expressed his support for the decision made by LeAnn Miller to step down from her position on the Prisoner Review Board (PRB). Pritzker emphasized the importance of the PRB’s ability to function independently while reviewing challenging cases.
The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly M. Foxx has accused Brand of carrying out a stabbing attack that resulted in the injury of Laterria Smith and the tragic death of her 11-year-old son, Jayden Perkins. It is reported that young Jayden was bravely attempting to protect his mother during the incident. The authorities have revealed that Smith had previously obtained an order of protection against Brand.
When the incident occurred, Brand was out on parole. He had been sentenced to 16 years for a home invasion and currently faces three violations of protection orders, as confirmed by the police. ABC News has contacted Brand’s legal team for further information.
During a press conference on March 15, Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti revealed that Brand had been released on parole and placed on electronic monitoring in October. However, while on parole, he sent threatening text messages to the female victim and even showed up at her home. As a result of this parole violation, he was sent back to prison in February.
According to Pritzker’s office, Miller was in charge of overseeing Brand’s parole hearing. ABC News has contacted Miller for a comment.
Brand faces a multitude of charges, including murder, attempted murder, home invasion with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, domestic battery, and more, all in relation to the stabbing incident.
Pritzker emphasized, “The handling of evidence in this case did not provide the level of careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve. I am determined to implement additional measures and training to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.”
ABC News has contacted the PRB to inquire about Brand’s release.
PRB chair Donald Shelton has decided to step down from his position on the board, after dedicating his service since September 2012. Although the specific reason for his resignation was not provided in the announcement, it marks the end of his tenure on the board.
According to Pritzker, Donald Shelton’s tenure with the PRB in Illinois spanned over ten years, making him a shining example of commitment to public service. Pritzker acknowledged Shelton’s unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety of Illinoisans and upholding the integrity of the justice system during his time with the Champaign Police Department and the PRB. Pritzker expressed gratitude for Shelton’s service and extended his thanks.
Shelton has been contacted by ABC News for comment.
Pritzker has stated that he will announce appointments to fill PRB vacancies after conducting a thorough search.
The way the city has dealt with domestic violence cases is being brought into focus by this incident.
Foxx expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of an innocent child’s life, taken too soon in an attempt to protect his mother. In a heartbreaking incident, a mother was attacked in the supposed sanctuary of her own home.
Illinois Governor Pritzker has requested the Prisoner Review Board (PRB) to collaborate with experts and advocates in developing and executing enhanced training programs for PRB members regarding domestic violence cases. Furthermore, he has instructed the PRB and the state Department of Corrections to evaluate their existing policies for receiving information related to domestic violence cases, with the aim of identifying any necessary modifications.
“As the administration continues to examine the details of this case, they are considering potential adjustments to the PRB’s review process for similar cases in the future, whether through changes to existing laws or policies,” his statement elaborated.