WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The man accused of firing an assault rifle into crowds at a July Fourth parade in suburban Chicago last year, killing seven people, said Monday that he plans to represent himself at his trial, which is set to start in February.
Robert E. Crimo III, wearing a red shirt and red handcuffs, appeared in a Lake County courtroom, but did not explain why he wants to represent himself. He is facing 117 charges, including 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery, in connection with the shooting in Highland Park.
Judge Victoria Rossetti made it clear that Crimo, 23, would be responsible for filing all of his own motions and would not be getting any special treatment in jail for representing himself.
He got off lightly considering he did so “despite previous threats by his son to harm himself and loved ones”.
Of course it’s rare for “responsible gun owners” to be held accountable when a family member uses their unsecured firearm to kill as many people as they can, so being punished at all is a start.
I suspect for many of these parents, they’re just thrilled to see their right-wing opinions are blooming in their child.