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WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The man accused of killing seven people last year after allegedly firing an assault rifle into crowds at a July Fourth parade in suburban Chicago said he plans to represent himself at trial, which is slated to start in February.
Robert E. Crimo III, wearing a red shirt and red handcuffs, appeared Monday in a Lake County courtroom, but did not explain why he wants to represent himself. He is facing 117 charges, including 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery in connection with the shooting in Highland Park.
Judge Victoria Rossetti made it clear that Crimo, 23, would be responsible for filing all of his own motions and would not be getting any special treatment in jail for representing himself.
Rossetti extensively questioned Crimo, who said his highest education level is high school, to ensure he understood the potential consequences of consecutive life sentences if he is convicted.
Crimo, whose hair was past his shoulders, sat up straight and looked directly at the judge when she spoke to him, answering “no” when he was asked if he had ever taken any law classes, picked a jury, questioned potential jurors, questioned witnesses, researched or presented motions, or drafted opening and closing arguments.
He added he had experience in court “as an observer.”
“The court suggests he have counsel continue to represent him,” Rossetti said before declaring that Crimo now represents himself.
The public defenders who previously represented Crimo declined to comment.
His trial is set to begin Feb. 26. Rosetti said because of the number of witnesses and extensive amounts of evidence, it is expected to last four to six weeks, with jury selection taking seven to 10 days.
The judge originally recommended the trial start in February 2025, but changed the date after Crimo asked to invoke his constitutional right to a speedy trial.
The deadline for motions is Jan. 5, and Crimo’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 10.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart released a statement Monday, saying “the prosecutors on this case have been working tirelessly since July 4, 2022, and will be ready for trial on the set date.” He added they had no comment on Crimo’s choice of legal representation.
After the attack, prosecutors said Crimo confessed in detail to the shooting and revealed that he had considered a second attack in Wisconsin.
In November, his father, Robert Crimo Jr., pled guilty to seven counts of misdemeanor reckless conduct after authorities said he sponsored his son’s Firearm Owners Identification application, which allowed him to buy the AR-15 style weapon used in the shooting. Crimo Jr. turned himself in to begin serving his 60-day jail sentence on Nov. 16, wearing a shirt that said “I am a political pawn.”
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