WAUKEGAN, Ill. — On Wednesday, a judge decided against dismissing statements made by a man accused of the deadly shooting during an Independence Day parade in a suburban Chicago area in 2022.

Judge Victoria Rossetti of Lake County concluded that Robert Crimo III had voluntarily given up his right to remain silent when he spoke to authorities. She determined there was no evidence of “coercion, deceit, or intimidation” that would have impeded his ability to consult with legal counsel.

The defense argued that a lawyer, who had been employed by Crimo’s family, was present at the police department after the shooting; however, they claimed officers did not allow the lawyer to meet with Crimo, thus infringing upon his constitutional rights.

Despite these claims, Judge Rossetti referred to video evidence indicating that Crimo expressed his desire to continue the police interview without seeking legal representation. She characterized the atmosphere of the interview as “conversational and non-threatening, with an informal and relaxed setting.”

At one point during the interrogation, Crimo remarked about his rights, stating, “I’ve heard them a million times.”

Authorities assert that the 24-year-old has admitted to carrying out the shooting in Highland Park. He has pleaded not guilty to a range of charges, which include multiple counts of first-degree murder. Scheduled jury selection for the upcoming trial is set to begin on February 24.

The attack left many injured, including an 8-year-old boy who suffered partial paralysis. The incident incited chaos as families attempted to escape the parade that was held in downtown Highland Park, a community of around 30,000 residents located near Lake Michigan.

Among the seven fatalities from the shooting were Katherine Goldstein, aged 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; along with married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35.