Accused Highland Park Parade Shooter Agrees to Plead Guilty
A suburban Chicago man accused of carrying out the 2022 July 4 Highland Park parade shooting that killed seven people and wounded dozens more has agreed to plead guilty on the day opening arguments in his trial were set to begin.
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.
On Monday, he agreed to plead guilty to 69 counts in the charges against him. A sentencing date was set for 9 a.m. on April 23.
Background
“Let me be clear, this was not a negotiation, this was not a deal,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said during a press conference following the hearing. “He made a free decision to plead guilty to every single count. He received nothing in exchange for this plea today.”
Leading up to the trial
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.
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.
Defense and Family
His defense attorneys have declined comment ahead of the trial, which was expected to last about a month.
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.”
Community Reaction
Residents in the wealthy Highland Park community of roughly 30,000 set along Lake Michigan have mourned the losses deeply. Some potential jurors were excused because of their connections to the case. Ultimately, jury selection concluded Wednesday, with six men and six women being chosen. Six alternate jurors were also selected.
City leaders canceled the usual parade in 2023, opting for a “community walk.” The parade was reinstated last year on a different route and with a memorial for the victims.
“Our community is once again reminded of the immense pain and trauma caused by the Highland Park shooting,” Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said in a statement ahead of jury selection. “Our hearts remain with the victims, their families, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that devastating day.”
Conclusion
The accused Highland Park parade shooter’s decision to plead guilty brings a sense of closure to the community and the victims’ families. The road to justice has been long and challenging, but the outcome is a reminder that justice can be served even in the face of tragedy.
FAQs
Q: What are the charges against Robert Crimo III?
A: Crimo faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, three counts for each person killed, as well as 48 counts of attempted murder.
Q: Why did Crimo’s defense attorneys decline to comment ahead of the trial?
A: Crimo’s defense attorneys have declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the trial.
Q: What is the next step in the case?
A: The next step is for Crimo to be sentenced on April 23, 2023.
