WAUKEGAN, Illinois – The man accused of firing and killing seven people when he fired a fire at an Independence Day parade outside Chicago, is about to go to trial almost three years after the attack.
The judge's selection began on Monday, after some delays. Part of the reason is the unstable behavior of defendant Robert Clint III, who raised questions about what to expect at the 2022 mass shooting trial.
A start statement is scheduled for next week.
attack
Authorities claim the gunman perched on a roof shot of a crowd gathered for the July 4 parade in downtown Highland Park, a wealthy suburb 30 miles (50km) from Chicago.
Seven people died in the 2022 shooting Parents of infants. Dozens more were injured. They ranged in age from the 80s to the time – 8 year old boy He remained partially paralyzed.
Witnesses explained the confusion when the shot rang, and fear continued as the family abandoned the parade route, leaving behind grass chairs and strollers to find safety within the home and business.
City leaders cancelled the parade the following year, but in 2024 they revived it at a victims memorial.
Mayor Nancy Rotelling said the city doesn't want to be defined by mass shootings. This month she announced that the parade would return in July, but some had no fireworks due to “community trauma.”
“The theme of this year's parade reminds us that teams are most resilient when supporting common goals and bringing people together, and supporting each other,” Rottering said.
I was killed Filmed by Catherine Goldstein, 64. Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Strauss, 88; Nicholas Toledo Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35;
case
Crimyo was initially charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder (three counts for each person murdered) and 48 count attempted murder and 48 count worsening battery. But on Monday, Lake County prosecutors tried to drop a worse battery count that was less severe. They briefly stated that they made the move prior to the selection of the ju umpire without explanation. Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti has signed a one-page order to dismiss the charges.
The Lake County State Lawyer's Office declined to comment Monday.
Prosecutors are taking over about 10,000 pages of evidence and videotape interrogation time where police say Crimyo confessed to the shooting. But Crimmy, 24, has been around since. Plead not guilty and Refusing a plea bargain.
Court proceedings resulted in part of the questioning being masses and the defense attorney attempted. Failed to throw away the videoclaiming that Crimmy's rights have been violated.
The video shows executives repeatedly asking Crimmy if they understand Miranda's rights, including the right to remain silent.
“I've heard them millions of times,” Crimyo said at one point.
Prosecutors also showed footage of people identified by police as Crimyo headed for the parade route on the morning of July 4, 2022.
What could hurt the defense is Crimmy's unpredictable behavior in court.
He refused to leave the Lake County Jail and did not introduce him to up to two previous court hearings. And in June 2024, when he was expected to accept and give a plea bargain. Victims And the relatives had the opportunity to deal with him publicly, he appeared in court in a wheelchair, I refused the transactioneven his lawyers are amazing. He too fired his official defender And he said he would represent himself and suddenly represent him I reversed myself.
Eric Johnson, a law professor at the University of Illinois, said:
Crimyo's lawyers and Lake County prosecutors repeatedly declined to comment prior to trial.
Crimyo appeared in court on Monday, wearing a suit and tie, shaved nicely and shortened his hair. He seemed to write things down on paper as the ju-describers were being asked questions. His parents sat side by side behind him.
family
Crimyo's father, Robert Crimyo Jr., pleaded guilty in 2023 Seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct. The charges focused on how his son obtained a gun license.
In 2019, at age 19, Crimin III was only allowed to apply for a gun license with parent or guardian sponsorship. His father agreed, despite his relatives reporting to police that his son had a collection of knives and threatened to “kill everyone.”
Crimyo Jr., the former mayoral candidate and former owner of the now-closed deli, attends his son's court hearing and makes eye contact with him during the hearing. He refused to discuss the incident in detail.
“As a parent, I love my son so much, and Bobby loves this country more than everyone knows,” he said in a phone interview. “There are no further comments.”
Jujuku
A potential ju judge was reported to Waukegan's court on Monday. The process began slowly, initially completing an extensive ju-search questionnaire followed by questions from judges and lawyers. Only three people were chosen by lunch on Monday. The selection of ju-describers for alternative panels of 12 and 6 is expected to last for several days.
The opening statement is expected to be trial for the lawyer for about a month, and is scheduled for next week. However, the well-known nature of the case can complicate efforts to find a ju judge. All six people who appeared to question Monday morning had heard the shooting when it first happened.
Survivors and their families submitted multiple LitigationIncludes those for manufacturers of Semi-automatic rifle Used in shooting, against authorities They accuse the negligence.
The person I spoke to refused to interview before the trial. He is expected to testify along with a former school resource officer who met Crimmy in junior and high school.
Experts say lawyers must take extra care and approach the ju apprentice's choice.
“There's information there,” Alan Twelkemer said. “It's like it's an impact on people in our community.”
