Alleged Illinois parade shooter to represent himself at trial starting Feb. 26

Clifford Ward and Chloe Hilles, Lake County News-Sun
·2 min read
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WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Alleged Highland Park parade shooter Robert Crimo III dismissed his attorneys Monday and said he planned to represent himself at trial, which is now scheduled for February.

In a surprise move at a Monday case management conference, Crimo’s attorneys from the Lake County public defender’s office told Judge Victoria Rossetti that the defendant wished to act as his own attorney.

Assistant Public Defender Gregory Ticsay did not say in court what prompted Crimo’s decision. His attorneys declined to comment after the hearing.

The judge extensively admonished Crimo about the realities of a defendant presenting a case at trial. Crimo, 23, admitted via questioning that he did not have the background in law, or the experience of a trial lawyer. The judge told Crimo that he could not count on help from the judge, and would not receive any preferential treatment.

“You still want to proceed without an attorney?” Rossetti asked after questioning him.

“Yes, I do,” Crimo replied.

The judge then allowed Crimo to proceed, and he almost immediately said he wanted an expedited proceeding based on his right to a speedy trial. Rossetti set Feb. 26 as the trial date.

During the hearing, the judge mentioned that Crimo’s attorneys and Lake County prosecutors had met as recently as last Wednesday to discuss scheduling issues, and had tentatively agreed to a trial date in February 2025.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said the prosecutors will be ready for the earlier trial date.

“The prosecutors on this case have been working tirelessly since July 4, 2022, and will be ready for trial on the set date,” Rinehart said in a statement. “Our victim specialists have been in constant communication with the victims and their families throughout the case and will continue to do so.”

The trial, the judge noted, is probably going to take four to six weeks and involve numerous witnesses.

Rinehart made no comment on the defendant’s decision to represent himself at trial.

Crimo is facing more than 100 felonies, including numerous counts of first-degree murder for opening fire from a rooftop in downtown Highland Park during the Independence Day parade on July 4, 2022, authorities say. Seven were killed, and dozens more were wounded during the shooting.

Crimo was taken into custody that evening, and has been held in the Lake County jail ever since.

If found guilty at trial, Crimo could be sentenced to hundreds on years in prison, or natural life.

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