A tragic and senseless murder in Chicago has led to a life sentence for Crosetti Brand, 39, who was convicted of killing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins during a violent home invasion. The crime occurred just one day after Brand’s release from prison in March 2024.
The boy was fatally stabbed while trying to protect his pregnant mother from an abusive and enraged Brand, who had a history of violent behavior.
The Attack and Murder
Brand, who had previously dated Jayden’s mother, had been abusive during their relationship, and she had been trying to get a protective order against him in the days leading up to the deadly encounter.
On March 13, 2024, Brand barged into the family’s apartment with a knife and began attacking Jayden’s mother, stabbing her 15 times. In a courageous act of selflessness, Jayden rushed to protect his mother, only to be stabbed in the chest by Brand. Jayden died from the wound, while his mother survived the brutal attack.
Sentencing and Emotional Courtroom Hearing
In June 2024, Brand was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, domestic battery, and home invasion. During his sentencing on Tuesday, Cook County Judge sentenced him to life in prison for the murder of Jayden, along with an additional 120 years for the attempted murder, domestic battery, and home invasion.
The sentencing hearing was filled with emotional statements from the victim’s family.
Jayden’s mother addressed Brand directly, her grief palpable as she spoke of the loss of her son. “You have taken away one of the greatest gifts God has blessed me with,” she said. “I am broken without my son.” Brand, however, chose not to attend the hearing in person. Instead, he listened to the proceedings over Zoom.
The Father’s Anger and Brand’s Response
Jayden’s father, Christopher Perkins, expressed his anger and sorrow, calling out Brand for his absence from the hearing. “I know you in this building somewhere, boy,” he said, according to the Chicago Tribune. The courtroom was briefly disrupted when the judge had to remove Perkins for what was deemed a threatening comment.
Perkins later returned and apologized for his outburst, though his grief was undeniable. “I miss my baby, bro. It’s senseless,” he said. “It ain’t going to be a lot of relief. We’re still missing my baby. It’s just a little bit of closure for us, that’s all.”
Brand’s response to the sentencing was apathetic, reportedly saying, “You gonna give me life anyway, so it’s like why the f— am I sticking around?” before logging off from the Zoom hearing.
Repercussions of the Case
The case not only impacted the Perkins family but also raised questions about the judicial system’s handling of domestic violence cases.
Notably, the judge who had denied Jayden’s mother a protective order against Brand before the murder was reassigned from hearing domestic violence cases, a decision that sparked public outcry over the perceived failure to protect the victim.
The life sentence for Crosetti Brand brings some measure of justice for the Perkins family, though it will never bring back the life of 11-year-old Jayden, whose bravery in protecting his mother ultimately cost him his life.
The case highlights the devastating effects of domestic violence and the tragic consequences that can arise when abusers are not held accountable for their actions.
