CHICAGO - A verdict has been reached in the trial of Crosetti Brand, the man accused of fatally stabbing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins as the boy tried to protect his mother during an attack in their Edgewater home.

What we know:

Brand faced 17 charges stemming from the March 13, 2024, incident, according to officials. He represented himself during the trial.

Prosecutors said Brand stabbed Perkins to death after he allegedly broke into the family's Edgewater home and attacked his mother, LaTerria Smith.

Perkins was trying to defend her when the attack happened, according to previous FOX 32 reports. A 5-year-old boy, Perkins' brother, also witnessed the attack, but was unharmed.

Brand had previously been in a relationship with Smith, who was denied an emergency order of protection again

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