A sentencing hearing began Wednesday for the convicted Highland Park mass parade shooter, who refused to appear for the proceeding, ahead of him being sentenced to life in prison.
Robert Crimo III, 24, of Highwood, pleaded guilty on March 3 to all 69 charges — 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted murder.
The surprise plea came as Crimo III’s trial entered its fourth day at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan.
Crimo III appeared in court for the start of opening statements in his trial, at which point his public defender informed the judge that Crimo III wished to change his plea.
Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti asked Crimo III numerous standard questions before accepting his plea, including whether he understood that he was waiving his right to a trial.
Crimo III signed a waiver of trial document with the name “Donald Trump” on the signature line with his actual name listed at the top of the document.
The document was to show that Crimo III acknowledged that he was waiving his constitutional rights and rights to trial by pleading guilty.
A sentencing hearing began around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and could last until Friday, depending on the number of survivors who give victim impact statements during the proceeding.
Victim impact statements allow victims of crimes to express to the court the physical, emotional and even financial impact they have suffered.
Crimo III refused to be transported from the Lake County Jail to the courtroom for the start of his sentencing hearing.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Crimo III has been previously admonished by the court that the court proceedings against him will continue even if he does not come to court.
“This morning, he indicated he did not wish to attend. His attorneys were summoned to meet with him. He still declined, so the hearing commenced without him,” Covelli said.
Crimo III does not have access to watch the sentencing hearing after he refused to attend. He is currently considered a high-risk inmate and is not housed with any other inmates.
Crimo III will be sentenced to mandatory natural life in prison since he was convicted of killing more than one person, according to Illinois law.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said last month that the guilty plea was about the victims and survivors of the shooting.
“Our community may never heal from the Defendant’s calculated and heinous actions that destroyed so many lives. But today is an important step about justice. Today is about Katie Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Strauss, Jackie Sundeim, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, Eduardo Uvaldo and 48 others who were physically hurt – who bled, who cried, who may never heal,” Rinehart said.
“Today is also about the hundreds who still remember and feel the trauma from that awful day – a day that should have been about celebration and recovering from the pandemic. Instead, it turned into a day of death and anguish for so many,” he said.
Rinehart said the guilty plea was not negotiated and Crimo III voluntarily made the decision without receiving anything in exchange.
“We have been working for years to prepare our evidence that includes DNA testing, fingerprint identification, firearm records, video evidence, identification evidence that put him in the alley walking up to the roof, on the roof, and descending from the roof at the time of the shooting. We also were prepared to present his voluntary confession that he made that day to law enforcement,” Rinehart said.
The state’s attorney recognized members of his office as well as “first responders, police, EMTs, fire department professionals, and civilians all helped their friends and neighbors without hesitating, without thinking of themselves.”
“I want to again thank everyone who played a part in this journey. The journey will not end for many. We will move to sentencing and continue support for those in need,” Rinehart said.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said the plea was an “important step toward justice” but does not erase the pain.
“Our thoughts and hearts remain with the families whose loved ones were senselessly taken, those who were injured, and everyone whose lives were forever changed by this horrific act,” Rotering said.
United States Representative Brad Schneider (D-Highland Park) said Crimo III “stole seven beloved souls from us, wounded dozens more, and forever changed our community.”
“He deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. I am relieved by his guilty plea which will bring at least some sense of closure for the families of the murdered and wounded, and for our community,” Schneider said.
“We will never forget the lives stolen on that terrible day and will forever remember their vibrant lives and beautiful spirits. Nor will we leave behind those who are still healing – physically and emotionally,” he added.
Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) called the guilty plea “welcome news for weary hearts” in the Highland Park community.
“This is a small step towards justice following the July 4, 2022 mass shooting as we continue to recover and heal,” Morgan said.
Morgan was present with his wife and children at the July 4, 2022, parade when the mass shooting occurred.
“I want to thank Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and his exceptional team for helping secure this justice. Our gratitude also extends to the physical and mental health professionals that continue to care for those injured and impacted,” Morgan said.
The mother of Crimo III, Denise Pesina, interrupted the court as her son was pleading guilty last month. She claimed he could not plead guilty due to a “federal court order.”
Rossetti had the woman approach the well of the courtroom and warned her she would be removed if she interrupted again.
Crimo III was charged in July 2022 with 117 charges — 48 of them were dismissed during the trial — after 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 48 others were shot. 83 spent shell casings were recovered at the scene.