Slain 11-year-old boy’s mother testifies against accused killer on 1st day of Crosetti Brand trial, which resumes Tuesday

CHICAGO (WGN) — The trial of the man accused of attacking his pregnant ex-girlfriend in Edgewater and killing her 11-year-old son, who was allegedly trying to defend her, continues Tuesday morning at Chicago’s Leighton Criminal Courts Building.

Crosetti Brand, the accused killer, is representing himself despite no prior legal training. His trial got off to a tumultuous start Monday, as he repeatedly clashed with a Cook County judge.

Brand cross-examined his alleged victim who survived the incident, Laterria Smith, court staying in session late Monday night so she wouldn’t have to return to the stand Tuesday and face more questions from the man accused of killing her son, 11-year-old Jayden Perkins.

Authorities say Smith was four months pregnant at the time of the March 2024 incident involving her and Perkins.

Testifying about the fatal stabbing, Smith’s emotions poured through, causing a temporary break in court proceedings. Following what sheriff’s deputies described as a panic attack, Smith returned to the stand to identify Brand as the man who killed her son.

Brand faces 17 charges, including first-degree murder and domestic battery.

After Smith’s testimony for the state, Brand questioned the victim, since he’s representing himself. As part of his at-times rambling and incoherent cross-examination, Brand asked the judge and Cook County sheriff’s deputies to bring out the knife prosecutors say​ he used to kill 11-year-old Jayden Perkins.

“Have you ever been in possession of or controlled this knife?” Brand asked the grieving mother. “Have you ever brandished that knife?”

Smith denied she ever brandished the knife. 

The defendant also asked Smith if she had relayed to investigating detectives that the two had a sexual relationship.  

Smith replied, “‘Yes, I told them.'”   

Prior to Smith’s testimony, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Danny Hanichak credited Perkins for saving his pregnant mother’s life on March 13, 2024, in opening statements Monday.

“The evidence is overwhelming that Laterria Smith is a survivor,” Hanichak said. “The evidence is overwhelming that Jayden Perkins is a hero.”

According to police, on the early morning of March 13, officers responded to the home the 11-year-old Perkins shared with his mother, Smith, in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue. Police said they believe Brand — just one day out of prison — forced his way into the home and began stabbing Smith, despite an active order of protection.

Perkins then allegedly tried to defend his mother, who was four months pregnant, from the attack and was also stabbed. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Brand allegedly stabbed Smith 11 times, prosecutors unveiled on Monday. Prosecutors also say Brand became enraged over Smith’s decision to break off their on-again, off-again relationship that spanned 15 years. The jury saw photos of Smith and Perkins’ bloody clothes and damage to a door that prosecutors say Brand kicked down.

Representing himself in court, Brand told jurors in a short opening statement that “self-defense is not a crime.”

“(The) defender(‘s) intent was not to commit a crime, but was to defend himself,” Brand added.

Earlier Monday, before opening arguments, the 39-year-old defendant shouted at the presiding Cook County judge, cutting her off at least seven times as she struggled to explain courtroom procedures and restore order.  

A delay in court proceedings lasted nearly an hour until lawyers were ready to begin opening statements.

Court resumes at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

• The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at: 1-877-863-6338
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is: 1-800-799-7233.