Cook County judge moved off domestic violence cases after 2 suspects allegedly kill woman, child

Lacramioara Beldie allegedly killed by husband; 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, mother wounded in separate attack

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team and Ravi Baichwal WLS logo
Friday, January 17, 2025

Cook County judge transferred after fallout from deadly domestic violence cases
A Cook County judge who presided over a deadly domestic violence case is being reassigned.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Cook County judge who presided over two order of protection cases in which the suspects went on to allegedly kill a woman and child has been moved off domestic violence cases.

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said in a statement Thursday that Judge Thomas E. Nowinski will be transferred Tuesday to the Third Municipal District, Municipal Department, where he will hear misdemeanor and traffic-related cases.

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"The transfer is being made at the request of Judge Nowinski and his Presiding Judge, Judith Rice, who oversees the Domestic Violence Division," the statement said.

Nowinski released Constantin Beldie on electronic monitoring, right before investigators say Beldie stabbed his wife, Lacramioara Beldie, to death in Jefferson Park in November.

Constantin Beldie was found dead by apparent suicide in a vehicle a block away from where his wife was killed.

In October, Nowinski allowed Constantin Beldie to be released on electronic monitoring, despite a request from prosecutors that he remain in prison because they deemed him a risk to the community.

Lacramioara Beldie's killing happened just one day after her husband appeared in court on battery and attempted kidnapping charges.

An off-duty Chicago police detective was also wounded in the fatal stabbing attack in Jefferson Park.

Court documents show Lacramioara Beldie tried twice last year for protective orders against her husband.

Nowinski also presided over the order of protection case involving Crosetti Brand, the man accused of killing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins last March, and wounding the boy's pregnant mother.

Brand was released on parole a day before the deadly attack.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has called for Nowinski's resignation.

"Two dead people who went before a judge were denied help. The offenders, in fact, got more help from that judge and from the system overall, than the victims did," Mendoza said.

Retired Cook County Judge Daniel Locallo said judges face difficult decisions every day.

"Judges do not have a crystal ball. You have an individual in front of you. You make a decision as to whether that person should be detained or not detained, and you don't know what's going to happen when they leave that courthouse," Locallo said.

Thousands of residents come through Cook County's domestic violence court each year, seeking protection from abusers.

Amanda Pyron, President and CEO of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, issued a statement saying, "With the tragic shooting in North Lawndale today, we are again reminded of how untimely releases can have fatal consequences for those in abusive relationships. We appreciate the full review of Lacramioara Beldie's death by the Chief Judge and the commitment to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence. Domestic violence advocates must be part of the process as reforms are proposed and implemented in all areas of our justice system. We agree with the transfer of the judge at the center of this case and look forward to working with the State's Attorney's Office, Office of the Chief Judge, and the presiding judge of the Domestic Violence Division to keep survivors safe."The Network is a group of 40+ member organizations dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by gender-based violence through education, public policy and advocacy, and connecting community members with direct service providers. Learn more at www.the-network.org."

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office said in a statement:

"First and foremost, this was a tragedy that has left a community grieving and three people without their mother. On behalf of the CCSAO, we remember Lacramioara Beldie, and our hearts go out to her family and loved ones. This incident has also eroded trust in a system designed to protect survivors of domestic violence and other vulnerable people, and that is also a tragedy.

"What remains true is that this was preventable, and Lacramioara Beldie's killer should not have been on the street when this tragedy occurred. The CCSAO forcefully and appropriately sought detention on the grounds that he posed a danger to the victim, but that request was denied.

"It is incumbent upon all of us who touch the system to assess what responsibility we bear and to examine what went wrong and how to prevent such senseless violence from happening again. We are glad that Judge Evans undertook this review, and we welcome further collaboration going forward.

"While this tragedy occurred before State's Attorney Burke's tenure, upon taking office she immediately ordered a top-to-bottom review of the DV/SA unit, installed an additional supervisor, and dispatched me and our Chief Policy Officer to meet with the presiding judge of the domestic violence division and her team to ensure open lines of communication. These conversations have been fruitful, and we are looking forward to ongoing collaboration. We will leave no stone unturned or resource untapped to ensure domestic violence survivors are protected, advocated for, and able to trust the system."

You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.

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