“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.” This was a statement made by Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker while addressing the press over Crosetti Brand, 37 who was serving a 16-year sentence for a home invasion and aggravated assault has allegedly killed an 11-year-old boy and also injured his pregnant ex-girlfriend a day after walking free.
A member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board who signed off on the release of Crosetti with a long criminal has resigned.
LeAnn Miller was said to have conducted the hearing for Crosetti when he was paroled early, Gov. JB Pritzker said.
Pritzker said in a Monday statement that, “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.”
While on parole, Crosetti allegedly threatened Smith via text messages, showed up at her home despite her having an order of protection against him. He was sent back to prison in February for violating the conditions of his parole before being paroled again weeks ago.
In 2015, Brand attacked the same woman just four days after she broke off their dating relationship.
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board, an independent, 15-person body, imposes release conditions for those in prison and conducts hearings to determine whether to grant or deny parole. It also makes recommendations to the governor about clemency petitions, according to the board’s website.
Gov. Pritzker said the board and the Illinois Department of Corrections will review rules and procedures for receiving information related to cases involving domestic violence.
Miller was appointed to the board in 2021. Pritzker said he would appoint a new member.