A man accused of killing seven people and wounding dozens at a 2022 Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder just minutes before his trial began.
At a Lake County court hearing, Robert E. Crimo III, 23, recanted his earlier plea of not guilty to the Highland Park shooting.
The trial began on February 24 with jury selection.
Prosecutors initially brought 21 first-degree murder charges against him – three charges for each victim – as well as 48 attempted murder charges.
Last week, before jury selection began, prosecutors dropped 48 lesser counts of grievous bodily harm.
On Monday, Judge Victoria Rossetti read out the charges against Crimo and asked questions to make sure he understood before the open statement was read into court. He sat next to his lawyers in a dark jacket.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, but Crimo will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. Each first-degree murder charge carries a mandatory life sentence.
Crimo did not address the judge again or ask any questions before leaving the courtroom.
The trial, which began on February 24, is expected to last about a month and will include testimony from victims and law enforcement officials.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
