The father of the man accused of shooting and killing seven people during a Fourth of July parade last year in Illinois has pleaded guilty to helping his son get a gun license despite obvious warning signs.
Robert Crimo Jr. pleaded guilty to seven misdemeanors on Monday in Lake County Court in Illinois and was quickly sentenced to 60 days behind bars starting next week.
He was initially charged with seven felony counts of reckless endangerment after Robert Crimo III allegedly opened fire during the 2022 Independence Day parade in Highland Park.
Crimo Jr. helped his son get a gun license in 2019, even after a relative told police months earlier that the 19-year-old had a stash of knives and threatened to “kill everyone” in the home, authorities previously said.
As a result, a sword, a dagger and 15 knives were temporarily confiscated from the suspected shooter’s home.
State Attorney Eric Rinehart said Monday that the father also knew his son was conveying suicidal thoughts before helping him get his license.
Robert E. Crimo Jr. speaks with his attorney, George Gomez, on Monday. AP
“It was two and a half years later,” he told reporters, referring to the time between the gun application and the mass shooting, “but he was still reckless, he was criminally reckless, at the time he filed that affidavit.” .
Crimo Jr., in an exclusive interview with The Post days after the mass shooting, insisted he did nothing wrong before the massacre.
“They make me feel like I prepared him to do all this,” he said of the critics. “I’ve been here my whole life and I’m going to stay here, with my head held high, because I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Crimo Jr’s son is accused of shooting and killing seven people last year. AP In this still image taken from a video uploaded by Robert (Bob) E. Crimo III, a drawing of a person holding a gun is seen.Robert Crimo via REUTERS
Crimo Jr.’s defense attorney, George Gomez, said Monday that Crimo Jr. pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless conduct charges, so Highland Park residents did not have to relive “these tragic events” and ensure that the young man Crimo received a fair trial.
His client fears that evidence from the shooting that may come to light during his trial could harm Crimo III’s legal case, Gomez said.
“Sir. Ultimately, Crimo did not want his family to be more divided on the public stage than it already is,” Gomez said.
The guilty plea carries some prison time. AP
Crimo III faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and another 48 counts of aggravated assault.
His trial date has not been set.
He allegedly confessed to being the depraved gunman within hours of his arrest, prosecutors said.
With post cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn