Man accused of killing 7 people at Fourth of July parade wants to represent himself
By Bill Kirkos and Brad Parks, CNN
(CNN) — The man suspected of opening fire at a Fourth of July parade – killing seven people and wounding dozens of others in suburban Chicago – is expected to represent himself when he goes on trial early next year.
Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III is accused of carrying out the 2022 massacre in Highland Park, Illinois. On Monday, Judge Victoria Rossetti set a trial date for February 26, 2024.
Crimo told the judge he wanted to represent himself at trial. Rossetti repeatedly asked the suspect if he understood the consequences of representing himself, and Crimo said he understood he will not have access to an attorney or assistance from the court during the trial.
The judge had been preparing attorneys for a February 2025 date before Crimo indicated in the middle of the hearing he wanted a speedy trial. She told the court she expects the trial to last four to six weeks.
Crimo, who was 21 at the time of the mass shooting, is accused of firing with a rifle from a rooftop during the holiday parade. He has pleaded not guilty to 117 criminal charges, including 21 counts of first-degree murder, three counts for each deceased victim.
Along with the seven people killed, 38 others were injured during the shooting, officials said.
The suspect’s father, Robert Crimo Jr., was released from jail Wednesday morning, a month after beginning his sentence. Crimo Jr. agreed to a plea bargain last month in which he was sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to seven counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct.
Prosecutors said Crimo Jr. was “criminally reckless” when he signed his son’s application for an Illinois Firearm Owners Identification card nearly three years before the massacre in Highland Park.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his release Wednesday. “The charges he pled guilty to are served at 50%,” spokesperson Christopher Covelli told CNN. “Release is not a decision made by the Sheriff or Sheriff’s Office staff.”
CNN reached out Wednesday to the attorney for Crimo Jr., and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for comment.
The-CNN-Wire
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