In a recent development in Waukegan, Illinois, a man confessed to the murder of seven individuals and injuring numerous others during a 2022 Independence Day parade in a Chicago suburb. This revelation came just before the anticipated start of a trial for murder and attempted murder charges.
Robert E. Crimo III, aged 24, appeared in a Lake County courtroom where he rescinded his prior plea of not guilty regarding the shooting in Highland Park. Crimo was initially charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder — three for each of the seven people killed — and 48 counts of attempted murder. Before jury selection began, prosecutors dropped 48 lesser counts of aggravated battery.
During Monday’s court session, Judge Victoria Rossetti explicitly read out the charges to Crimo to ensure his understanding before she accepted his plea. Clad in a dark suit, Crimo largely responded with monosyllabic answers. His mother, Denise Pesina, experienced a brief emotional outburst upon hearing the news, prompting a warning from the judge. The judge made it clear that the trial will not proceed further and jurors never entered the courtroom.
Crimo’s legal journey has been marked by erratic behavior, including initially deciding on a plea deal before changing his mind, firing and re-hiring public defenders, and inconsistent courtroom appearances. On this occasion, Judge Rossetti asserted Crimo’s waiver of rights and voluntary plea of guilty.
Prosecutors iterated the names of victims and evidence, including DNA findings and a confession Crimo taped for the police. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart highlighted the community’s irreversible loss from Crimo’s methodical and chilling actions. He noted Crimo’s plea was given without any deal in return. Preparations for a trial were thorough, with prosecutors ready to convincingly present their case.
The sentencing is scheduled for April 23, with Crimo expected to face life imprisonment on each count of first-degree murder. Survivors of the incident will be given a platform to address Crimo during the sentencing.
Security at the courthouse was stringent, whereas an unexpected plea shift surprised the courtroom audience, including survivors and their families. Ashbey Beasley, a 2022 parade attendee, expressed significant relief and acknowledged the stressful ordeal of facing Crimo during court proceedings.
A spokeswoman from a law firm, representing numerous survivors in a civil case, stated that survivors were prepared to seek civil justice. Several lawsuits are in progress against the weapon manufacturer used in the shooting and authorities allegedly negligent.
The trial, originally set to extend for a month, saw many left injured, varying from seniors in their 80s to an 8-year-old boy who suffered partial paralysis. Many survivors fled during the chaos of the shooting, abandoning personal belongings to reach safety.
Crimo’s actions were reportedly from a rooftop vantage point. His father, Robert Crimo Jr., had previously faced charges for allowing his son access to a gun license. After pleading guilty to reckless conduct in 2023, he served a short jail term.
Highland Park’s community of about 30,000, with its scenic Lake Michigan setting, grieves the losses deeply. During jury selection, several potential jurors were excused due to personal connections to the case.
In 2023, city officials replaced the traditional parade with a community walk. The parade returned the following year on a redesigned route with a tribute to the victims. Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering acknowledged the plea as a step towards justice and maintained her continued solidarity with the victims’ families. The lives lost on that tragic day included Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and Kevin and Irina McCarthy, aged 37 and 35, respectively.