Illinois’ Prisoner Review Board (PRB) faced criticism after a parolee with a long criminal history killed a boy and injured his pregnant mother shortly after being released. LeAnn Miller, a member of the board, resigned following the incident, in which Crosetti Brand was paroled early and went on to commit the violent crimes. Brand had a history of domestic abuse and had previously threatened the victim. Republican lawmakers had been warning about issues with the appointment process, suggesting that it had been politicized.
The tragic incident involved the fatal stabbing of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and his mother, Laterria Smith, in their Chicago apartment. Despite Brand’s criminal record, he was released early from his 16-year sentence. Miller, who served on the board since being appointed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021, stepped down following public outcry. Lawmakers expressed disgust over the tragedy and pointed fingers at the governor’s handling of criminal justice and the PRB.
Jayden Perkins was described as a bright and talented student with a caring personality, as tributes poured in for the young victim. Brand’s parole in 2023 and subsequent return to prison for violating release conditions added to concerns over the decision-making process of the PRB. Smith, the victim’s mother, had sought a protection order against Brand, highlighting fears for her safety that went unaddressed. The lack of communication between the legal system and the PRB was also criticized.
Republican state senators had raised concerns in 2021 about the PRB appointments made by Pritzker, noting that some appointees had served beyond the required session limit due to procedural loopholes. They highlighted the rising number of convicted felons being released and called attention to the dangers posed by some of these individuals. Pritzker’s office has been approached for comment on the matter, but no response has been provided as of yet.
In addition to the problem with the PRB actions, Pritzker’s choice of appointees, including those with criminal histories, drew further criticism. Max Cerda, a former double-murder convict appointed to the board, had made decisions on the release of another convicted criminal. Pritzker revoked Cerda’s appointment after facing backlash for the selection. The governor acknowledged the need for independent and thorough consideration of evidence in such cases, suggesting steps towards preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Following Miller’s resignation, Pritzker emphasized the importance of careful consideration of cases involving domestic violence victims by the PRB. He also announced the resignation of the board’s chair, Donald Shelton, a longstanding member. The calls for accountability and reform within the PRB system continue as the tragic consequences of the decision-making process have been exposed. Efforts to ensure a more transparent, fair, and effective operation of the PRB are being pursued to prevent similar incidents from occurring again in the future.
