The man accused of shooting dead seven people last year at a July 4 parade in Highland Park, Illinois has decided to represent himself in his upcoming trial – now scheduled for February following the development.
Robert Crimo III, 23, fired his public defender during a court appearance Monday and declared his intention to defend himself.
After making the declaration, Judge Victoria Rossetti repeatedly asked Crimo if he understood the implications of his decision — pointing out the sheer amount of paperwork he would have to file, along with some of the life sentences he faces if convicted.
Crimo, dressed in red prison clothes and black hair past his shoulders, said he understood and wanted to continue.
Robert Crimo III appeared in court Monday, handcuffed with long hair in a red prison uniform
Rossetti dismissed his case, asked Crimo if he had a legal education and advised him to change his decision.
The suspect replied that he had been an observer in the courtroom, and that he had only received a high school education.
“You will represent yourself,” Rosetti finally admitted. He then agreed to move the trial date forward a year from the originally planned time frame.
Crimo faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, along with 48 counts of both attempted murder and aggravated battery stemming from a shooting spree he allegedly committed in July 2022.
Crimo was 21 when he allegedly shot up the Highland Park 2022 parade July 4. Prosecutors said Crimo confessed to the massacre after he was arrested following an AP manhunt
Then 21 years old, Crimo allegedly placed himself on the roof of a building overlooking the Highland Park parade and fired indiscriminately into the crowd. In addition to the seven people killed, 48 people – including children – were injured.
Prosecutors said he confessed to the massacre after police arrested him following an extensive manhunt.
His father, Robert Crimo Jr., was sentenced to 60 days in jail in November after pleading guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct for helping his son obtain a gun license in 2019 despite making threats of violence.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
