Highland Park suspect to represent himself in trial set for February

The Highland Park massacre suspect will represent himself in his criminal trial, which a Lake County judge on Monday set for February 2024.

Robert Crimo III, accused of killing seven and wounding dozens more at a Fourth of July parade in 2022, asked a Lake County judge to allow him to continue without the aid of his assistant public defenders and invoked his right to a speedy trial.

Judge Victoria Rossetti questioned him about the request for several minutes, asking if he was sure he understood the consequences of the charges and that he had no courtroom experience. Dressed in a red shirt and seated forward, he replied with a curt "Yes."

It's unclear why exactly he chose to dispose of his representation.

At the end of the questioning, the suspect interrupted the judge and said, "Also your honor, I would like the request my constitutional 6th Amendment right to a speedy trial."

The trial was set for Feb. 26, 2024.

Before he asked to represent himself and for a speedy trial, the judge said lawyers had met earlier this month and set a tentative trial date for February 2025.

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