Lawyers for the man accused of killing seven people during the Highland Park Fourth of July parade requested more time from the judge on Tuesday to review the large amount of evidence provided to them.
Prosecutors have handed over 2,500 pages of evidence to Robert Crimo III’s lawyers, who expect thousands more in the coming days.
“We don’t believe setting a trial date is prudent because of the volume of discovery,” Crimo’s public defense attorney Anton Trizna told Judge Victoria Rossetti.
As he stood to be escorted out of the courtroom following the brief hearing, Crimo raised his shackled right hand and flashed a peace sign.
Crimo’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 31. The judge also stated that lawyers require more time due to problems with subpoenas for victims’ medical records.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart told reporters that the agreement to extend the discovery phase shows that Crimo’s lawyers are pleased with prosecutors’ cooperation.
“All of that information must be presented to the defense in a systematic and cataloged manner.” And that is exactly what we are doing,” Rinehart explained. “There have been no issues with that process.” Today, the defense did not file any formal complaints.”
According to Rinehart, the evidence includes information from witnesses, victims, officers, and surveillance videos.
Crimo was charged with 117 felonies. On August 3, he entered a not guilty plea.
Crimo turned 22 in late September while being held without bail at the Lake County Jail.
A dozen civil lawsuits have been filed against Crimo by shooting victims. The lawsuits also accuse Smith & Wesson of deceptive advertising practices, two gun shops of selling Crimo an assault weapon despite knowing he lived in Highland Park, which prohibits the weapons, and Crimo’s father of signing paperwork allowing his son to purchase the guns as a minor.
The hearing was “meaningful in continuing the pursuit of justice for this heartbreaking community and national tragedy, while parallel efforts continue with civil litigation,” according to lawyer Antonio M. Romanucci, whose team represents four dozen victims in several civil lawsuits.
“We are steadfastly committed to bringing justice to the families of those who died and those whose lives have been forever changed by this senseless act of violence,” Romanucci said in a statement.
Crimo’s parents have spoken to their son on the phone but not in person since the shooting, according to George Gomez, a lawyer who is assisting Crimo’s father but is not involved in the civil lawsuits.
“They’re still emotional, but they’d like to keep their opinions private for the time being.” “They’re still trying to heal,” Gomez said outside the Lake County courthouse on Tuesday.
The younger Crimo is accused of firing an assault rifle at paradegoers from a rooftop on the north suburb’s Central Avenue and Second Street. Seven people were killed, and 48 others were injured.
Crimo allegedly disguised himself as a woman during the attack and dropped the rifle while fleeing. The weapon and images from surveillance cameras helped police identify Crimo. Eight hours after the attack, police apprehended Crimo as he drove his mother’s car in North Chicago.
Katherine Goldstein, 64, Irina McCarthy, 35, Kevin McCarthy, 37, Jacki Sundheim, 63, Stephen Straus, 88, Nicolas Toledo, 78, and Eduardo Uvaldo, 69 were the victims.
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