The jury selection process was completed Wednesday in the trial for the 24-year-old man accused of killing seven and shooting 48 others at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade.
The trial for Robert Crimo III, 24, of Highwood, entered its third day on Wednesday at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan with Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti presiding.
Crimo III did not appear Wednesday morning for the trial.
A deputy told the court that Crimo III refused to come to court after being asked multiple times.
Crimo III appeared Monday and Tuesday in the mornings on the first two days of his trial but did not come back in the afternoons.
Seven jurors were selected on Monday and the jury selection process continued Tuesday with one of the accepted jurors being dismissed.
Five more jurors were selected as of Tuesday afternoon for a total of 11 selected. On Wednesday, the 12th juror and six alternative jurors were selected.
The main panel of jurors consists of six women and six men. The alternate jurors include two women and four men.
Opening arguments are set to begin on Monday morning.
Prosecutors on Monday sought to dismiss 48 of the 117 charges against Crimo III — specifically the aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm charges.
Crimo III still faces 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder, court records show.
Robert Crimo Jr., the father of Crimo III, said in a statement just before the trial began: “I love my son very much. I fully support his decision to go trial in this case. Like any human being in this country, Bobby deserves the presumption of innocence and a fair trial. No matter what happens, you will always be my son.”
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said the Highland Park community is “once again reminded of the immense pain and trauma” caused by the Fourth of July shooting.
“Our hearts remain with the victims, their families, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that devastating day,” Rotering said.
“The trial, overseen by Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and his office, represents a critical moment in the pursuit of accountability for this horrific act of violence. This trial brings us closer to the truth and acknowledgment of the harm done,” she added.
Last Thursday, Rossetti ruled 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 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 judge has repeatedly informed Crimo III leading up to the trial that the trial would proceed without him if he refused to appear in court.
The trial is not being videotaped or streamed as Rossetti has previously denied extended media coverage requests filed by news outlets.
Rossetti said in December 2023 that the trial could last four to six weeks, including 7-10 days for jury selection, although it appears jury selection process will be completed sooner than that timeframe.
Crimo III was charged in July 2022 with 117 charges after being 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.