Man charged with Highland Park mass shooting changes mind about defending himself

Robert Crimo III’s tenure as his own attorney lasted less than a month: The man charged with killing seven spectators and injuring dozens of others during Highland Park’s 2022 Independence Day parade has now requested a public defender to represent him.

Last month, the shooting suspect told the court he intended to proceed pro se, meaning he would act as his own attorney. He also demanded a speedy trial.

During a brief hearing Friday, Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti asked the defendant whether he wished to continue representing himself. He responded by asking Rossetti to reappoint the Lake County public defender to represent him.

Rossetti granted his request. Neither the defendant nor the court brought up his previous speedy trial request.

“We anticipate a discussion of the trial date on the next court date,” said Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart in a prepared statement. “Our office has no comment on the defendant’s legal representation.”

"Our victim specialists have been in constant communication with the victims and their families throughout the case and will continue to do so,“ Rinehart said.

Authorities say the former Highwood resident, currently incarcerated at the Lake County jail, opened fire from a downtown Highland Park rooftop about 10:15 a.m. July 4, 2022.

Highland Park residents Katherine Goldstein, 64; Stephen Straus, 88; Jacquelyn “Jacki” Sundheim, 63; and husband and wife Kevin and Irina McCarthy, 37 and 35, were killed during the shooting, which also claimed the lives of Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78, of Morelos, Mexico, and Eduardo Uvaldo, 69, of Waukegan. Nearly 50 people, ranging in age from 8 to 88, were wounded during the attack which lasted about one minute.

The defendant, whose hands were shackled in front of his body, wore a face mask during his appearance.

His next court date is Jan. 10.