Robert E. Crimo III (left) talks to Lake County Assistant Public Defender Anton Trizna (right) as he appears before Judge Victoria Rossetti at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on June 26, 2024, where he was expected to plead guilty to the Highland Park parade shooting but then refused to enter into the negotiated agreement. | Photo: Nam Y. Huh (AP/Pool)

The alleged Highland Park parade shooter said in a letter to the judge in his case that he denies claims that he has been “staring down” victims in court and says he “feels sorry for everyone involved.”

Robert Crimo III, 23, of Highwood, wrote a letter, dated January 16, to Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti. It was filed in court on January 23.

Crimo asked the judge to allow him to add a close friend and neighbor to the list of people he is allowed to have communication with while in the Lake County Jail.

Robert E. Crimo III arrives in the courtroom for a case management conference at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on January 9, 2025. | Photo: Nam Y. Huh/AP (Pool)

“I’ve known her for years before the tragedy. She is basically family to me and was severely affected by losing me. I will not talk about the case. I ask you to please consider it,” Crimo said.

“I may not deserve anything but the people out there do. That’s why I ask you to please allow me to call her so I can calm her heart,” he said.

[Suggested Article]  Hundreds of marchers call for end to deportations, ICE raids in Lake County during Waukegan protest

Crimo also said in the letter that the news media is reporting that he has been “staring down” victims in court. “However that is not true. I would never do such a thing,” Crimo said.

“When I look in to the gallery I am merely looking at my family. I truly feel sorry for everyone involved,” he said.

Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti listens to Robert E. Crimo III’s attorney Gregory Ticsay during a case management conference at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on January 9, 2025. | Photo: Nam Y. Huh/AP (Pool)

The letter was written after his last court hearing, which was held on January 9.

Lake County Public Defender Gregory Ticsay, who is representing Crimo III alongside Assistant Public Defender Anton Trizna, asked the court to reimpose phone privileges for Crimo III during that hearing.

Crimo III previously had his phone privileges reinstated during the holidays to allow him to speak with family.

Ticsay said there were no incidents during that period and asked the court to reinstate the privileges until the trial to allow him to speak with his family along with the friend, who is a former neighbor.

[Suggested Article]  Alleged Highland Park parade shooter appears in court ahead of trial later this month
Robert Crimo Jr. (left) and Denise Pesina (right), parents of accused Highland Park parade mass shooter Robert E. Crimo III, listen during a case management conference for their son at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on January 9, 2025. | Photo: Nam Y. Huh/AP (Pool)

Prosecutors objected to modifying the court order that revoked the phone privileges for Crimo III.

Rossetti granted the request in part, allowing Crimo III to communicate with his family but not with the friend.

The next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday for another case management conference.

Crimo III, who is set to go on trial later this month on February 24, was charged in July 2022 with 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.

Lake County Assistant Public Defender Anton Trizna (left) talks with Public Defender Gregory Ticsay during a case management conference for Robert E. Crimo III at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan on January 9, 2025. | Photo: Nam Y. Huh/AP (Pool)

The man is accused of opening fire on paradegoers attending the Fourth of July parade near Second Street and Central Avenue in Highland Park on July 4, 2022.

Prosecutors previously said Crimo III admitted to “looking down his sights” of his Smith & Wesson M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle before opening fire on the Highland Park crowd.

[Suggested Article]  Woman seriously injured after car crashes into van, shutting down all lanes of I-94 near Gurnee

Crimo III told investigators he fired two full 30-round magazines before loading a third 30-round magazine and firing.

Seven people were killed and dozens of others were shot. 83 spent shell casings were recovered at the scene.

Crimo III has been held in the Lake County Jail without bond since July 6, 2022.