An Illinois Inmate Review Board member with a long criminal record for domestic violence is accused of killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring his pregnant ex-girlfriend the day after he was freed. The commissioner who agreed to release the man resigned.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the hearing for Crosetti Brand, 37, who was serving a 16-year sentence for burglary and aggravated assault when he was released on early parole, was conducted by Leanne Miller. He said he was in charge.
“Prisoner Review Boards must be able to operate independently as they review very difficult cases, but I believe that Leanne Miller has made the right decision to step down from her role. ” Pritzker said in a statement Monday. “It is clear that the evidence in this case has not been given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve, and I am calling for additional safeguards and training to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.” We are committed to ensuring that this is implemented.”
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Convicted felon Crosetti Brando was charged Wednesday with stabbing an 11-year-old boy to death and seriously injuring his pregnant mother in a home invasion attack in Chicago. (Chicago Police Department)
Brand has been charged with several crimes, including: first degree murder Attempted first-degree murder for the vicious attack that killed Jaden Perkins and injured Lateria Smith.
Police said Bland, who was released from Statesville Correctional Center on March 12 under electronic monitoring, is accused of stabbing Perkins, who came to the aid of his mother, who had also been stabbed. The knife wound severed his main artery and the boy died of blood loss.
Perkins’ 5-year-old brother witnessed the attack on the family but was unharmed. Bland was arrested two hours after the stabbing.
Authorities said Smith was getting the boys ready for school when Brand broke into his home around 8 a.m. on March 13. Bland and Smith began dating more than 15 years ago, with Smith on parole under electronic monitoring in October.
While on parole, Smith allegedly threatened her with text messages and showed up at her home despite having a protection order. He was sent back to prison in February for violating the terms of his parole and was released on parole again a few weeks ago.
In 2015, Brand assaulted the same woman just four days after they ended their relationship.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker participates in a debate with Republican gubernatorial challenger State Sen. Darren Bailey at the WGN9 studio in Chicago on October 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
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The Illinois Inmate Review Board is a 15-member independent agency that imposes release conditions on inmates in prison and conducts hearings to determine whether to grant or deny parole. The commission also makes recommendations to the governor on clemency petitions, according to its website.
Pritzker said the commission and the Illinois Department of Corrections will review rules and procedures for receiving information related to incidents related to domestic violence.
Miller was appointed to the board in 2021, but Pritzker said he would appoint new members.
Fox News Digital Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
