The trial for the man accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at a Fourth of July parade in the upscale suburb of Highland Park is set to commence, more than two years after the tragic incident. Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III is facing 69 charges of murder and attempted murder related to the mass shooting that took place on July 4, 2022. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as the death penalty was abolished in Illinois in 2011.
Dressed in black attire and sporting tattoos on his face, neck, and hands, 24-year-old Crimo was present at the Lake County Courthouse as jury selection took place last week. Throughout the process, he observed as his defense attorneys and the prosecutor interviewed potential jurors. Ultimately, a panel of six men and six women was selected to serve on the jury.
Prosecutors made a motion to dismiss 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm against Crimo, a decision that was not contested by the defense or the presiding judge. The motive behind this move was not immediately provided.
According to police, Crimo, known by the stage name Awake the Rapper, meticulously planned the attack, which claimed the lives of seven individuals and left many others injured. During the parade, he positioned himself on a rooftop overlooking the procession and opened fire on the unsuspecting crowd below.
Among the victims were several individuals of varying ages, including an 8-year-old boy who was tragically left paralyzed due to a gunshot wound. Following the shooting, Crimo attempted to evade capture by blending in with the crowd and fleeing the scene. He later headed to Wisconsin but was apprehended upon his return to Illinois.
Despite initially considering a plea deal, Crimo opted to maintain his not-guilty plea during a court appearance. In a subsequent turn of events, he dismissed his public defenders, expressing his intent to represent himself at trial before requesting the reinstatement of legal counsel.
The trial aims to shed light on the events surrounding the devastating Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park, a community left scarred by the senseless act of violence.
Crimo engaged in unlawful behavior and received a 60-day prison sentence for consenting to support his then-19-year-old son’s application for a gun license. This occurred despite a relative alerting the police a few months prior, revealing that Crimo possessed a collection of knives and had made threats to harm others. Prosecutors have furnished approximately 10,000 pages of evidence, including a recorded interrogation where Crimo purportedly admitted to planning a mass shooting. In December, Rossetti rejected a motion from Crimo’s legal team to invalidate statements he made to the police upon his arrest. The judge asserted that Crimo willingly waived his right to silence and that law enforcement did not impede his ability to consult with the attorney retained by his family. Crimo’s trial is anticipated to span a duration of three to five weeks.
