Amid intense public outcry following the tragic murder of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, Illinois Prisoner Review Board Chair Donald Shelter and Board Member LeAnn Miller have resigned.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours after the released inmate, Crosetti Brand, a released inmate on parole from the Stateville Correctional Center.

Officials allege that Brand attacked Laterria Smith, aged 33, and fatally wounded her 11-year-old son, Jayden Perkins, as he attempted to protect his mother in their Chicago residence on March 13, as stated in a news conference two days following the incident. Authorities also mentioned that Smith’s 5-year-old son was present in the apartment at the time and witnessed the attacks.

Parole Decision Sparks Outrage and Calls for Change

Board Member Miller’s decision to release Brand from prison early, even though Laterria Smith had asked the court for legal protection against the released inmate, sparked outrage.

The Illinois Department of Corrections and the Prisoner Review Board claimed they didn’t know about the court order meant to protect Smith and her son. However, evidence suggests otherwise. Governor JB Pritzker admitted they made a mistake and need to improve.

“The Prisoner Review Board must be able to operate independently as they review enormously difficult cases, but I believe LeAnn Miller has made the correct decision in stepping down from her role,” Governor JB Pritzker says.

“It is clear that evidence in this case was not given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve, and I am committed to ensuring additional safeguards and training are in place to prevent tragedies like this from happening again. My thoughts are with Laterria Smith as she recovers and with the entire family of Jayden Perkins as we mourn this tragic loss—may his memory be a blessing,” Governor Pritzker adds.

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Brand, previously paroled in October and briefly re-incarcerated in February for threatening behavior, now faces murder charges.

The Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office highlighted systemic communication flaws, stressing the urgency of reforms to safeguard victims of domestic violence and enhance public transparency.