Waukegan, sick. – Survivors and relatives of people killed in UA 2022 Mass shooting On the day of independence in the suburban Chicago, they were placed on Wednesday at the hearing of the sentence for the attacker, who decided not to attend.
Robert E. Crigo III, 24, pleaded guilty Last month to the shooting left by seven people of the dead and dozens hurt. He changed his requests before opening statements at the trial after the years of unpredictable legal proceedings.
Crogo does not attend hearings or viewing from prison, said Lake County Sheriff’s spokesman Christopher Covelli. He previously skipped the court, including during parts of the jury selection, despite the warnings of the Judge Victoria Rossetti in order to move forward in his absence.
The testimony of survivors is expected to be emotionally, and the tissue boxes were spread over the packaged courtroom, including the witness and near the public.
Spectators in court, including many survivors, wiped tears, while others put their hands with each other as a parade shot. One person was putting a blue bead for stress.
Crig’s parents, who attended most court proceedings were not present on Wednesday.
Crigo is sure that the rest of your life will spend in prison. Each first-degree murder point carries a maximum natural life penalty in Illinois. Prosecutors and lawyers For survivors He said before the hearing that the addressing of the Cros was an important step.
“They patiently waited for justice to be served,” said Romani Romancci Statement And Blandin, a law firm in which almost 50 victims are represented. They will “say their personal stories to the Court, and they were taken off to the exercise of justice.”
Safety was narrow on Wednesday with observers needed to lock their phones and pass through two sets of metallic detectors.
Lawyers were not sure how many people could give so-called statements about the victims, saying some could decide at the last minute. Prosecutors began hearing on imposing punishment by placing evidence against Cros. The hearing is in court by the County Let, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) from Chicago.
The prosecutors played videos that show a band marching like multiple shots, and a pile, including small children, began to run away in panic. The members of the band who carry the instruments ran down the street like emergency sirens.
Retired Highland Park Police Commander Gerry Cameron, who was on duty day of parade, testified that when he first heard the shooting thought it was a fireworks or a leaning car. When he ran toward the sound, he saw injured people.
“As I moved to the east, people ran west Frantic panicky,” Cameron testified.
The authorities stated to be taken on the roof and shot in the crowds. Witnesses described confusion as gunshots began, followed by terror because families were attached from the trail in the center of Parade, leaving chairs for lawns and carts behind them.
Conway described the cleansing of people, including children, who were removed in companies near the Parade route.
“They were reluctant to go out. They were reluctant to reach the door,” he said, pausing before adding, “They were horrified.”
Dozens were wounded in the shooting in the suburbs about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Chicago. They moved at the age of their 80s to an 8-year-old boy Who was partially paralyzed.
The prosecutors had Rea’s evidence, including Crosova recess to the police.
Prosecutors originally collected the CRIGO from 21 points of the first-degree murder – three points for each killed person – and 48 points attempted murder for injured. Prosecutors later fell 48 fewer serious numbers of aggravated batteries Choice of juries.
The case was slowly moved through the court, partly due to the misdemeanor of criminal behavior.
Was expected to accept the Contract on Probation of Guilt last year, but changed his mind Once he arrived on the court, shocking even his lawyers.
Criminal fired his public defenders And he said to represent himself. Then he is reversed his decision. After pleading guilty in court, he signed documents to renounce his right to trial with his own name and the name “Donald Trump”.
Residents in the top community of the Highland Park of approximately 30,000 grew deeply the shooting. Some potential jurors were justified due to the connection with the case. Several survivors also filed lawsuits against Crima and Gunmaker Smith And Wesson.
The city leaders canceled the usual parade in 2023. years, instead deciding for the “Hodus for the community.” The parade was returned last year on the second route and included the memory.
The Seven people killed In the shooting were Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and double couple Kevin McCarthy, 37 and Irina McCarthy, 35.
Cros’ father, Robert Crigo Jr., a former candidate for mayors, charged with how his son received a gun permit. Pleaded guilty in 2023. Years Seven misdemeanor counts reckless behavior. He served less of two months in prison.
2025-04-23 15:34:00
