A judge ruled Thursday that victims of the Highland Park parade mass shooting can be present at the suspect’s trial that will begin on Monday with jury selection.
Robert Crimo III, 24, of Highwood, appeared for a pre-trial hearing on Thursday morning before Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti.
The hearing, like most of the hearings, lasted only a few minutes with the judge ruling on a motion filed by prosecutors 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.
Rossetti granted the prosecutions’ motion and said each victim witness’ testimony would include their observations, where they were, what occurred and their injuries, and that testimony would not influence other victim witnesses.
“Obviously that decision whether they wish to stay in the courtroom is up to each individual victim witness,” Rossetti said.
The prosecution and defense both said they were ready for trial and prepared to begin jury selection at 9 a.m. Monday.
The judge again informed Crimo III during the hearing that the trial will proceed without him if he refuses to appear in court.
The trial will not be videotaped or streamed as Rossetti has previously denied extended media coverage requests filed by news outlets.
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 was charged in July 2022 with 117 charges. Those include 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.
In December 2023, the judge said the trial for Crimo III could last four to six weeks, including 7-10 days for jury selection. It is unclear whether that estimated timeframe is still projected.