Swift Justice: Chicago Jury Convicts Man in Brutal Murder of 11-Year-Old

Chicago Man Found Guilty in Stabbing Death of 11-Year-Old A Cook County jury delivered a swift guilty verdict against 39-year-old Crosetti Brand for the first-degree murder of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and the attempted murder of Jayden's pregnant mother. The attack occurred in March of last year in the Edgewater neighborhood. The trial concluded quickly, with jurors reaching their decision in less than 90 minutes after closing arguments. "Justice has been done," said Titus Washington, a relative of Jayden Perkins, outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse following the verdict. "That's all we wanted." The family shared emotional moments of both relief and grief following the announcement. Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke praised the speed of the trial, noting that cases of this magnitude typically take years to reach this stage. "This team got this case ready for trial in less than a year," she said. Brand's defense claimed the mother had a knife and was responsible for her son's death. However, the jury rejected this claim, finding Brand guilty on all counts. The sentencing is scheduled for June 30th.