The man accused of shooting seven people to death last year at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, has decided to represent himself at his upcoming trial, now scheduled for February after developments.
Robert Crimo III, 23, dismissed his public defenders during a court appearance Monday and declared his intention to defend himself.
After making his statement, Judge Victoria Rossetti repeatedly asked Crimo if he understood the implications of her decision, noting the considerable amount of paperwork he would have to file, along with the multiple life sentences he would face if convicted.
Crimo, dressed in a red prison suit and with shoulder-length black hair, said he understood and wanted to continue.
Robert Crimo III appeared in court Monday, handcuffed, with long hair and wearing a red prison uniform.
Rossetti pushed his case, asking Crimo if he had any legal training and advising him to change his decision.
The suspect responded that he had once been an observer in a courtroom and had only received a high school education.
“You will represent yourself,” Rosetti finally admitted. He then agreed to move the trial date forward one year compared to the originally scheduled time frame.
Crimo faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, along with 48 counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault stemming from the shooting he allegedly carried out in July 2022.
Crimo was 21 years old when he allegedly shot at the 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Prosecutors say Crimo admitted to carrying out the massacre after being arrested following a chase. AP
Crimo, then 21, allegedly stood 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 say he admitted to the massacre after police arrested him following an extensive manhunt.
His father, Robert Crimo Jr., was sentenced to 60 days in prison in November after pleading guilty to misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct for helping his son obtain a gun license in 2019 despite threatening him with violence.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn