Trial continues for man charged with killing 11-year-old boy who was defending mother

CHICAGO — Emotional testimony continues Wednesday in the trial of the man charged with killing a young boy who intervened to protect his pregnant mother.

Prosecutors said 39-year-old Crosetti Brand stabbed his ex-girlfriend Laterria Smith and her 11-year-old son Jayden Perkins.

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

Smith was stabbed 11 times in the attack, Perkins did not survive.

Brand, the accused killer, is representing himself despite no prior legal training. He claims it was all self-defense.

On Wednesday, Perkins’ grandmother took the stand.

Shirese Turner, Smith’s mother, said she would call every morning to tell the children she loves them and to have a great day at school. And that’s exactly what happened on March 13, 2024.

While she was on the phone with the children, she heard Smith open the door and suddenly there was screaming.

Turner tried to call back, but did not get an answer. She rushed to her daughter’s apartment and witnessed Smith lying on the floor covered in blood.

In court she said, “I was frozen, standing there in shock from what I was seeing.”

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

The trial is expected to last three weeks.