Opening Statements in Highland Park Mass Shooting Trial Set for Monday
Prosecutors to Lay Out Case Against Robert Crimo III
Prosecutors are set to deliver opening statements in the trial of the alleged Highland Park parade shooter, Robert Crimo III, on Monday morning and begin to lay out the case that he committed one of the worst mass shootings in Illinois history.
Thousands of Pages of Documents and Photos
The Lake County state’s attorney’s office has collected thousands of pages of documents and photos, including a recorded confession, tying Crimo to the attack on July 4, 2022. Prosecutors say Crimo climbed onto a rooftop and fired on the suburb’s July 4 parade, killing seven people and wounding 48 others.
Mandatory Life Sentence if Convicted
He now faces a combined 69 counts of murder and attempted murder after prosecutors dropped 48 counts of aggravated battery without explanation last week. Crimo faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted of two murder counts.
Surviving Victims to Testify
Most surviving victims plan to testify at the trial, which Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti said could last three to five weeks. Many of the 80-some people questioned to be jurors said they could not commit that amount of time or give Crimo a fair shot.
Jurors’ Initial Reactions
One of the six women and six men impaneled on the jury said they initially thought Crimo was guilty based on early news accounts of his arrest. “Of course, I formed an opinion. We all assumed he was guilty,” one juror said.
Jurors’ Ability to Set Aside Preconceived Notions
Still, they said they could set those feelings aside and judge Crimo solely on the evidence presented at trial. Six alternate jurors were also chosen.
Judge’s Ruling on Victim Testimony
Rossetti has ruled that survivors of the attack will be allowed to watch any part of the trial, even though many of them plan to testify. Prosecutors have said victims will not identify Crimo as the suspect and only recount their experiences and how they were wounded.
Defense Strategy Unclear
Crimo’s defense attorneys have not indicated a strategy. His lawyers failed in their attempt to exclude hours of Crimo’s videotaped police interview, arguing he wasn’t given access to an attorney who had come to speak with him.
Unpredictable Behavior in Court
Crimo has acted unpredictably in the nearly three years his case has progressed through the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, making it hard to anticipate what might happen at trial. He dismissed his court-appointed attorneys, only to take them back weeks later. He agreed to plead guilty but reversed course in a dramatic courtroom scene that angered victims.
Conclusion
The trial of Robert Crimo III is set to begin on Monday, with prosecutors laying out the case against him for the Highland Park mass shooting. The case is expected to be a lengthy and emotional one, with many surviving victims set to testify.
FAQs
* What is the charge against Robert Crimo III?
+ Crimo is charged with 69 counts of murder and attempted murder.
* How many people were killed in the Highland Park parade shooting?
+ Seven people were killed in the shooting.
* How many people were wounded?
+ 48 people were wounded.
* How long is the trial expected to last?
+ The trial is expected to last three to five weeks.
