Highland Park parade shooting suspect refuses to change plea at hearing Wednesday

The man accused of killing seven people and injuring dozens more at a Fourth of July parade in suburban Highland Park in 2022 was expected to change his initial plea of not guilty at a hearing Wednesday.

Robert Crimo III is scheduled to face trial in February of 2025 on more than 100 charges, including murder and attempted murder, for the shooting in Highland Park that killed seven and wounded 48. Lake County prosecutors confirmed last week that Crimo may change his not guilty plea at a hearing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, about a week before the two-year anniversary of the mass shooting.

The statement released by Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart’s office did not provide more detail on the expected changes or how it could influence sentencing. Crimo would face a mandatory sentence of life without parole if convicted of first-degree murder.

The public defender’s office, which is defending Crimo, didn’t return a request for comment last week and generally does not comment on its cases.

Read more: NBC Chicago