Alleged Highland Park mass shooter Robert Crimo III appeared briefly Wednesday in court, where a judge granted him permission to make phone calls with family members.
Crimo, who is accused of killing seven people and wounding dozens at the July 4, 2022 parade, is scheduled to stand trial next year on first-degree murder and dozens of other felony charges.
At a case management hearing, which only lasted about three minutes, Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti said she would modify her order which banned phone and internet access for Crimo in jail.
Robert E. Crimo III, listens to Judge Victoria A. Rossetti during a case management meeting at the Lake County Courthouse Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Waukegan, Ill. Crimo III is charged with killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a shooting at an Independence Day parade in the suburban Chicago town of Highland Park, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool)
The judge said Crimo can be issued a computer tablet, and that he would be allowed to make audio-only phone calls to a select list of four family members — his parents and two siblings.
Rossetti also mentioned that she and the attorneys in the case had met this week to discuss some scheduling issues. Crimo is due back in court on May 29.
He has been held without bond since his arrest on the night of the shooting.
Robert E. Crimo III’s mother Denise Pesina, left, listens to Robert E. Crimo III’s father Robert Crimo Jr., as they attend for a case management meeting for Robert E. Crimo III., in Lake County court before Judge Victoria A. Rossetti Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Waukegan, Ill. Crimo III is charged with killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a shooting at an Independence Day parade in the suburban Chicago town of Highland Park, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool)
Authorities say he climbed onto the roof of a downtown Highland Park business and opened fire on the crowd assembled to watch the Independence Day parade.
Police said he disguised himself as a woman to escape during the ensuing commotion. He was, however, arrested hours later and has remained in custody since.
The city of Highland Park announced last week that the July 4 parade would restart this year, but along a new route. The city will also hold a remembrance ceremony earlier on Independence Day.
Robert E. Crimo III, left, leaves after a case management meeting with Judge Victoria A. Rossetti at the Lake County Courthouse Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Waukegan, Ill. Crimo III is charged with killing seven people and wounding dozens more in a shooting at an Independence Day parade in the suburban Chicago town of Highland Park, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool)
