WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) — The suspect in the July 4 shooting in Highland Park was expected to change his plea to guilty at a hearing Wednesday, but is now refusing the deal.
The state offered a plea deal, reaching a guilty plea to 55 charges, including seven counts of murder and only a few counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. Under the plea agreement, the suspect would be sentenced to life imprisonment.
The suspect first refused the offer and then refused the deal.
Last week, CBS 2 received a copy of a letter issued to victims and their families, who issued a warning about this Robert Crimo III He is expected to change his plea. Under the deal, the suspect would be sentenced to life in prison
“It is expected that a change of plea will be presented to Judge Victoria Rossetti at the request of the state and defense,” the letter said.
Crimo was charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder, three counts for each person who died, along with 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery, one for each surviving victim struck by a bullet, bullet fragment or shrapnel .
He previously confessed to being innocent, and last winter a trial date was set for February 24, 2025.
Those killed in the attack on the Independence Day parade were 64-year-old Katherine Goldstein of Highland Park; 35-year-old Irina McCarthy, of Highland Park; Kevin McCarthy, 37, of Highland Park; 63-year-old Jacquelyn Sundheim, of Highland Park; 88-year-old Stephen Straus, of Highland Park; 78 years old Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, from Morelos, Mexico; and 69-year-old Eduardo Uvaldo, of Waukegan.
A total of 48 people were also injured in the shooting. Was among them Cooper Robertsthen 8, who was left paralyzed from the waist down.
The suspect remains in custody at the Lake County Jail.
