WAUKEGAN, IL — The man accused of carrying out the deadliest mass shooting in Illinois on Friday has changed his legal representation for his upcoming trial. Bobby Crimo III, 23, who is facing charges of killing seven people and injuring 50 July 4 paradegoers in 2022, informed a Lake County judge that he now wishes to be represented by a public defender at his trial in February. This is a reversal from his previous decision to represent himself in the case.
Crimo faces mandatory life in prison if convicted of just a few of the 117 felony counts he is charged with after allegedly opening fire at the Highland Park 4th of July parade nearly two years ago. Despite previously stating that he wanted to represent himself, Crimo told Circuit Court Judge Victoria Rossetti that he is now asking for the services of three Lake County public defenders.
As a result, Rossetti ordered that she will appoint the public defender’s office to represent Crimo in his upcoming trial, scheduled for February 26. Crimo is due back in court on Wednesday, where he will meet with his new legal representation ahead of his trial.
The decision to change legal representation came after Crimo had initially informed the court that he wanted to proceed as his own attorney. However, his decision led to an abrupt rescheduling of the trial date after he invoked his constitutional right to a speedy trial, a move that his public defenders had previously declined to do in previous hearings.
After his arrest, Crimo had been represented by the Lake County public defender’s office. However, he later expressed his desire to proceed as his own attorney, prompting a series of questions from the judge to ensure he understood the potential penalties he faced for a conviction. Prosecutors from the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office declined to comment on the defendant’s legal representation.
In summary, Bobby Crimo III, the accused shooter in the Illinois mass shooting, has requested to be represented by a public defender at his upcoming trial after initially wanting to represent himself. The trial is scheduled for February 26, and the judge has appointed the public defender’s office to represent Crimo.