Highland Park massacre suspect to represent himself in trial now set for February

The Highland Park massacre suspect will represent himself in his criminal trial, which a judge on Monday set for February, a year sooner than lawyers were preparing for.

Robert Crimo III asked a Lake County judge to allow him to proceed without the aid of his assistant public defenders and invoked his right to a speedy trial. He is accused of killing seven people and wounding dozens more at a Fourth of July parade in 2022.

Judge Victoria Rossetti questioned Crimo’s request for several minutes, asking if he understood the consequences of the charges and that he had no courtroom experience.

“Knowing these potential penalties, do you still want to proceed without an attorney?” the judge asked.

Crimo replied with a curt “Yes.”

Prosecutors now have a little over two months to prepare for a complicated trial that Rossetti said could last four to six weeks, with jury selection that could take “seven to 10 days, if not more.”

Read more: Chicago Sun-Times