WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Nearly three years after a devastating Fourth of July shooting in a suburb of Chicago, the trial for the alleged gunman is set to begin. Jury selection commenced this week, after several procedural delays, for Robert Crimo III, who is accused of killing seven people in a brutal attack during Highland Park’s Independence Day parade in 2022. The incident left not only fatalities but a community grappling with the aftermath, including an infant orphaned by the violence.
The opening statements are anticipated to start next week. Crimo is charged with carrying out a destructive shooting spree from a rooftop during the parade, where in addition to fatally shooting seven, he injured dozens more. Victims spanned ages, from a young child to elderly attendees, creating a scene of chaos as spectators fled, abandoning personal belongings in their rush to safety. The tragedy led to the cancellation of the city’s parade the following year, though it returned in 2024 with a memorial and without fireworks, reflecting the community’s ongoing trauma.
Those who perished include Katherine Goldstein, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Stephen Straus, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, Eduardo Uvaldo, and a married couple, Kevin and Irina McCarthy. Mayor Nancy Rotering has emphasized community resilience through the city’s decisions, reinforcing the desire to not let the tragedy define Highland Park.
Concerning the legal proceedings, Crimo faced 21 counts of first-degree murder—three for each person killed—and numerous counts of attempted murder and aggravated battery. However, Lake County prosecutors opted to dismiss the less severe aggravated battery charges as jury selection began. Despite Crimo’s confession during a videotaped interrogation provided as evidence, he entered a plea of not guilty, refusing a plea deal. His defense team unsuccessfully challenged the admissibility of such videos, portraying that his rights were allegedly violated during interrogation. Moreover, the prosecution shared footage identifying Crimo in disguise on the parade route that day, heightening tensions as the trial proceeds.
Crimo’s courtroom appearances have been marked by unpredictability. His absence at several hearings and the dramatic revocation of a potential plea bargain add layers to the anticipated courtroom drama. On one occasion, after arriving to court in a wheelchair expecting to accept a plea deal, Crimo refused it, surprising all parties. Initially deciding to represent himself, he later reversed this decision, contributing to the complexities of the case.
The defendant’s family is also enmeshed in the case. His father, Robert Crimo Jr., who had previously helped secure a gun license for his son despite reported threats made by him, faced his own misdemeanor charges related to the incident. He remains supportive but terse regarding the upcoming trial.
The jury selection process is thorough, owing to the widespread impact of the shooting and its reverberations within the community. Potential jurors faced intensive questioning to ensure impartiality, as the trial is expected to last for around a month. The selection aims to include 12 jurors and six alternates. Various lawsuits have been filed by survivors and family members of victims against the gun manufacturer and local authorities, alleging negligence.
Expert commentary highlights the challenge of jury selection in such high-profile cases. The emotional and societal impact necessitates careful consideration and vetting of jurors, ensuring that pre-existing knowledge of the event does not impinge upon the trial’s fairness.
