Attorneys say accused shooter in 2022 July 4th parade shooting denied
lawyer during police interview
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[November 15, 2024]
By SOPHIA TAREEN
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — The man accused of killing seven people at a 2022
Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago was denied his
constitutional right to legal representation while being interrogated by
police hours after the shooting, defense attorneys alleged Thursday in
court.
Authorities have said Robert Crimo III confessed to the shooting that
also left dozens injured. But his defense attorneys are seeking to have
videotaped statements he made to police barred from trial, which is
expected to start in February.
The nearly three-hour hearing offered a glimpse of the evidence expected
at the trial, including police testimony, photographs and video footage
of statements Crimo made to police.
Crimo, 24, has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including multiple
first-degree murder counts. He didn't speak during Thursday's hearing.
Wearing a dark blue jail jumpsuit, he walked into court and flashed the
room a two-finger gesture that is often interpreted as a “victory” or
“peace” sign.
Defense attorneys said Crimo's relatives retained an attorney who was
waiting in the police station lobby the evening of the shooting, but
police didn't allow Crimo to meet him.
“He is never told that he has his attorney, an attorney retained for
him,” public defender Greg Ticsay said in court. “It’s clear he was
never given access. They violated his due process rights.”
But prosecutors heartily dismissed the allegations, saying Crimo
willingly cooperated after being offered phone calls, notification of
the attorney in the lobby and read his Miranda rights multiple times.
“He knew why he was there. He knew what they were going to question him
about,” Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Facklam said. “He
knew what right he was giving up.”
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Robert E. Crimo III's attorney Gregory Ticsay speaks to Judge
Victoria A. Rossetti during the hearing on motions at the Lake
County Courthouse in Waukegan, Ill., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP
Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool)
Prosecutors showed video clips of the police interview. Several
times Crimo was asked if he understood his Miranda rights, which
include the right to remain silent and have an attorney present.
“I can read them to you from memory,” Crimo said on the tape.
Lake County Circuit Court Judge Victoria Rossetti said she would
issue a written ruling at a later date.
The case has proceeded slowly for months, partly due to Crimo's
unpredictable behavior.
He didn't show up to two previous court hearings, refusing to leave
his cell at the Lake County jail. At a June hearing where he was
expected to accept a plea deal and give victims and relatives a
chance to address him publicly, he changed course and rejected the
deal. He also fired his public defenders and said he would represent
himself. Then he abruptly reversed himself.
Dozens were injured in the shooting, including an 8-year-old boy who
was left partially paralyzed. Witnesses described initial confusion
as the shots began, followed by panic as families fled the parade
route through downtown Highland Park, an affluent suburb of about
30,000 people near Lake Michigan.
Those killed in the attack were Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn
Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; and
Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina
McCarthy, 35.
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