Illinois Parole Board Member Resigns After Granting Release to Man Who Stabbed Ex-Girlfriend's 11-Year-Old Son

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board head and one of its members resigned in response to criticism for releasing a guy who, less than a day after being set free, fatally killed the young son of his ex-girlfriend.

Following the March 13 murder of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, board chair Donald Shelter and board member LeAnn Miller resigned on Monday, according to CBS 2.

Jayden Perkins' Death

The reason for the resignations from Gov. JB Pritzker's office was not disclosed.

However, it was confirmed that Miller presided over the parole hearing for Crosetti Brand, who is facing charges for the stabbing of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Laterria Smith, and the murder of her 11-year-old son, Jayden Perkins, shortly after being paroled. Miller wrote the report that suggested Brand's release from prison.

The Democratic Governor Pritzker removed her from position on the Prisoner Review Board, citing the reason that the evidence in this particular case was not given the thorough investigation that one could anticipate from victims of domestic abuse.

Additionally, the board and the Department of Corrections are going to investigate the protocols that are in place for the exchange of information about instances that include domestic violence.

According to Pritzker, the case may bring up difficulties that call for legislation to be enacted to expand the legal jurisdiction of officials in situations like this.

Brand Faces Charges for Violent Crimes

A half-dozen more violent felonies and first-degree murder are among the charges that have been filed against Brand, who was involved in a relationship with Smith fifteen years ago. In October, he was granted release after serving half of a sentence of sixteen years for assaulting another ex-partner in 2015.

The offense happened in 2015. Brand was ordered back to jail in February after he was accused of continuously contacting Smith, who has an order of protection against him. Smith had before the order of protection against Brand. A defensive order has been issued against Brand, which Smith has received. On February 26, at his hearing before the Prisoner Review Board, he explained his situation.

Brand indicated that he did not visit her apartment and provided evidence that his electronic monitoring bracelet did not show any indication of any violations related to his physical limits. Additionally, he said that he was not beyond the boundaries of his physical capabilities.

When asked about more suspected parole violations, he responded by stating that he occasionally worked late hours at a Red Lobster restaurant. This was his response to the question.

However, despite having noticed that Smith was not invited to testify, the board came to the decision that there was not enough evidence to support her accusations, AP News reported.