The alleged Highland Park parade shooter appeared in court on Thursday as prosecutors are seeking to allow survivors to be present at his trial later this month.
Robert Crimo III, 24, of Highwood, appeared for a case management conference on Thursday morning before Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti.
The hearing lasted only a few minutes with Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon, who informed the court that prosecutors had filed a motion requesting that the victims of the Highland Park shooting be permitted at trial.
Under Illinois law, crime victims have the right to be present at trial unless they are to testify and the court determines that the victim’s testimony would be “materially affected” if they hear other testimony during the trial.
Lake County Assistant Public Defender Anton Trizna told Rossetti that the defense would not be arguing the motion today.
Prosecutors and the defense agreed to set another court date for later in the month to discuss the matter. The judge set that hearing for 11 a.m. on February 20.
Rossetti also said the proposed jury questionnaire for the trial was submitted to her but there were issues with it that will be discussed during the next hearing.
Last month, Crimo III wrote a letter, dated January 16, to 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.
“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.
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.
The letter was written after his January 9 court hearing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.