Highland Park Parade Shooting Trial Begins Monday
The trial of a suburban Chicago man accused of carrying out the 2022 July 4 Highland Park parade shooting that killed seven people and wounded dozens more begins Monday at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, Illinois.
Charges and Evidence
Robert Crimo III, of Highwood, Illinois, faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, three counts for each person killed, as well as 48 counts of attempted murder. Prosecutors dropped the less serious 48 counts of aggravated battery before jury selection last week.
Prosecutors have submitted thousands of pages of evidence, as well as hours of a videotaped interrogation during which police say Crimo confessed to the shooting. But the 24-year-old has since pleaded not guilty.
Unpredictability and Delays
The road to the trial has been bumpy. There were delays partly due to Crimo’s unpredictability, including his rejection of a plea deal that even surprised his attorneys. As potential jurors were questioned last week, he sporadically appeared in court, at times refusing to leave his jail cell.
Leading up to the trial
Crimo’s erratic behavior has contributed to court delays.
He fired his public defenders and said he would represent himself, then abruptly reversed himself. In June 2024, when he was expected to accept a plea deal and give victims and relatives a chance to address him publicly, he arrived at the court in a wheelchair and rejected the deal.
Father’s Involvement
His father, Robert Crimo Jr., a onetime mayoral candidate, was charged in connection with how his son obtained a gun license. He pleaded guilty in 2023 to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct and served less than two months in jail.
He has attended his son’s hearings, sometimes making eye contact with him during court. He declined to discuss the case in detail ahead of the trial.
“As a parent, I love my son very much,” he said. “And Bobby loves this country more than anyone would ever know.”
Trial Preparations
Prosecutors plan to call multiple law enforcement officers and survivors of the shooting to testify. They also will show videos of Crimo’s statements to police. Some of the videos already have been shown in court as prosecutors tried unsuccessfully to have them thrown out.
Conclusion
The trial is expected to last about a month, with the victims and their families having filed multiple lawsuits, including against the maker of the semiautomatic rifle used in the shooting and against authorities they accuse of negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the charges against Robert Crimo III?
A: He faces 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder.
Q: What is the expected length of the trial?
A: The trial is expected to last about a month.
Q: What is the next step in the trial process?
A: Jury selection has been completed, and the trial is set to begin on Monday.
Q: What is the reaction of the community to the trial?
A: The community, including the mayor, has expressed support for the victims and their families and has condemned the shooting.
