The Illinois man accused of killing seven and wounding dozens of others in a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in 2022 rejected a plea deal during a hearing on Wednesday.
The deal, which he was expected to accept, would have put 23-year-old Robert Crimo III behind bars for the rest of his life on seven counts of murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery, assistant state’s attorney Ben Dillon said.
The sentence would have called for no possibility for parole and a concurrent 30-year sentence for each aggravated battery charge. Illinois does not have the death penalty.
However, during Wednesday’s hearing, Crimo did not respond when asked if he agreed to the plea as described by the prosecutors, according to the Chicago Tribune. After a short recess, he returned to the courtroom and verbally replied “no” when asked again if he agreed.
Crimo, who had been sitting in a wheelchair, was rolled out of the courtroom and proceedings ended.
The case remains set for a February 2025 trial. If convicted, Crimo would face an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole.
Less than a week ago, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Crimo was expected to change his plea from not guilty at Wednesday’s hearing.
Family members of the victims were expected to give testimony before the sentencing, which was set to occur eight days ahead of the two-year anniversary of the shooting.
“We have worked closely with the victims over the last few days and weeks in anticipation of today. We will continue to support them,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement. “The entire trial team and group of victim support specialists met with victims and survivors for as long as they wanted today, and we will be ready for trial.”
Crimo was charged with 117 felony counts related to the mass shooting where he allegedly climbed onto the roof of a building overlooking the parade and opened fire with a high-powered rifle on the crowd gathered below.
According to investigators, he escaped in the ensuing chaos while wearing women’s clothing and briefly hid out in Wisconsin — and contemplated a second shooting in Madison — before returning to Illinois and being arrested in North Chicago after a pursuit. He’s been behind bars ever since.
Robert Crimo Jr., the accused’s father, co-sponsored his son’s gun license application despite various red flags. He pleaded guilty in November to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail but was released early for good behavior.
Highland Park, a suburban community about 27 miles north of downtown Chicago, plans to resume their annual Fourth of July parade next week after skipping the event last ear.
