Alleged Highland Park shooter rejects plea deal
Wednesday, Jun 26, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Yesterday in the Tribune…
Wednesday’s hearing is expected to generate a lot of interest locally and nationwide. Kasey Morgan, the spokeswoman for the Lake County courts, said her office was working to accommodate survivors and family members of the victims of the parade shooting who want to attend, as well as members of Crimo’s family who want to be in the courtroom, which can hold about 110 people.
The courts office has also received requests for seats from area elected officials, and representatives of national news organizations. Interested parties can also view the hearing on Zoom if they register, Morgan said. The link is at: https://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/2320/High-Profile-Case-Information […]
If Crimo does change his plea to guilty, the case could move immediately into the sentencing phase. That could include testimony from law enforcement officers, detailing evidence that connects Crimo to the shootings. […]
Should Crimo plead guilty to the first-degree murder of more than one of the seven people killed, he would face an automatic sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors leveled more than 100 felony charges in the case, including 21 counts of first-degree murder.
* Nancy Harty…
* Sun-Times…
The Highland Park parade shooting suspect on Wednesday abruptly decided to not go through with a change of his not guilty plea.
Robert Crimo III fell silent when the judge asked if the agreement outlined by Lake County prosecutors was what he’d discussed with his lawyers. Court was briefly recessed, and when Crimo returned his lawyers said their client no longer wanted to go ahead with a change of plea.
Prosecutors said Crimo had agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of first-degree murder in connection with the mass shooting nearly two years ago. In all, he was to plead guilty to a total of 55 counts, prosecutors said. […]
The next hearing in the case is Aug. 28. His trial is scheduled for February 2025.
* Tribune…
Victims and their families were expected to give emotional testimony following the plea deal on how the shooting has affected them, before Judge Victoria Rossetti delivered the sentence.
State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart previously said his office had been in touch with those affected before agreeing to the plea.
“We have been continuing to work with victims and survivors as the situation develops,” he said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it would have extra officers on duty for the sentencing.
- Someone you shoudl know - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 10:44 am:
I don’t’ want to get suspended for the things I want to say, So all I can say is what a Jerk. This entire ordeal for these families has a bunch of Mularkey.
How Crimo could put these families through this both today and in the last couple years is Bovine Excrement.
I truly feel for them.
- H-W - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 11:05 am:
As a sidebar, doesn’t Crimo, III have mental issues and challenges? I thought I had heard there were competency issues associated with this case. Changing his plea seems predictable, if so.
- Frida's boss - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 11:06 am:
Illinois has no death penalty.
Whether he pleads guilty or goes to trial he will never be out of prison. This is the most attention he’s ever received in his life, once this is over he will never be anything but a bad memory.
He is selfish, he doesn’t care about the families or what he did. He cares about people paying attention to him, this continues that attention.
- Hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 11:30 am:
What a grass bowl move
- JoanP - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 12:07 pm:
Honestly, I fail to see why he should have taken this so-called “deal”. There was absolutely no benefit to him.
- hmmm - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 12:26 pm:
I think he’ll get life no matter what. I think that is the worse penalty we can give out in IL. I think he just wants some attention from a trial unfortunately.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 1:15 pm:
= I think he’ll get life no matter what =
Of course he will, assuming he is convicted of more than one murder (and I don’t see how he avoids that). A life sentence would, in that case, be mandatory under Illinois law. Which is why I say this “deal” wasn’t a deal at all.
- just because - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 1:38 pm:
This turnabout at the last minute from this piece of garbage does not surprise me. He is playing a game and using the courts and the victims as pawns. He once again got his 15 minutes in the spotlight.
They should not even try to make a plea deal with him again, just go to court. I know it would be better for the families but he is only playing them anyways.
- We've never had one before - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 1:43 pm:
Set bail, $1, problem will solve itself.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Jun 26, 24 @ 2:22 pm:
I am sad the families won’t be spared a trial but as a North Shore/NW Suburban guy - convict him and let him rot.