Prosecution pushes to keep trial for accused Highland Park shooter in 2024
CHICAGO (CBS)-- The February trial date for accused Highland Park parade gunman Robert Crimo III has been pushed back again, after he backed away from plans to represent himself at trial.
In a surprise move in December, Crimo demanded a speedy trial and asked to serve as his own attorney, and his trial had been set to begin on Feb. 26, 2024.
But last week Crimo told the judge he'd changed his mind, and wanted his public defenders reappointed as his attorneys. At a hearing on Wednesday, his public defenders asked for more time to prepare for trial, and his Feb. 26 trial date was postponed indefinitely.
Crimo's attorneys suggested pushing the trial back until February 2025, while prosecutors suggested having the trial in September or October of this year. The judge in the case told the two sides to discuss possible trial dates before Crimo's next court appearance on Feb. 21, when his new trial date will be set.
Facing 117 counts
Crimo, 23, is accused of opening fire in downtown Highland Park during the Fourth of July parade in 2022, killing seven people and wounding dozens more.
He has been indicted on a total of 117 counts, including 21 counts of first-degree murder - three counts for each person who died - along with 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery - one for each surviving victim who was struck by a bullet, bullet fragment, or shrapnel, according to Lake County prosecutors.
He's also charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery.
The judge expects the trial to last four to six weeks.
Jail policy Violation
The accused shooter is also accused of violating jail policy. Officials said he used another inmate's PIN to call his mother in December, even though his phone privileges were suspended.
As punishment, he will be held in a segregated unit at the Lake County Jail for an additional 60 days. That means no contact with other inmates and limited time outside the cell. He will return to a regular jail cell in March.
Dad of accused shooter pleads guilty
Crimo's father, Robert Crimo Jr., was released from jail earlier this month, after completing his sentence on a reckless conduct conviction. He pleaded guilty in November to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct for helping his son get a Firearm Owner's Identification card, even after his son had threatened violence.
At the end of December, Crimo Jr. filed for bankruptcy.
According to a federal filing from October, Crimo Jr. owes more than $1.6 million to at least 50 creditors. That does not include the mortgage on his home, which his bank already has foreclosed on; or potential damages he might face in several lawsuits that parade victims and their families have filed against him.
He reported a monthly income of only $822, compared to $1,420 in monthly expenses, and estimated all of the property he owns at approximately $390,000.
