The judge in the case against the father of alleged Highland Park parade mass shooter Robert Crimo III urged attorneys to keep legal proceedings on track during a hearing Tuesday in Lake County Court.
Judge George Strickland, who is hearing the case against Robert Crimo Jr., asked his attorney and prosecutors to try to complete the discovery phase of the case, if possible, by the next hearing. Crimo Jr. is scheduled to appear again on June 14.
He is charged with reckless conduct in connection with his son’s alleged mass shooting at the Highland Park July 4 parade that killed seven people and left dozens wounded. Prosecutors charged the father in December, alleging that Crimo Jr. acted recklessly when he vouched for his son on state firearm identification paperwork that allowed Crimo III to buy firearms.
When Crimo Jr. vouched for his son, Crimo III was 19 years old. Authorities alleged that the father acted recklessly in doing so because Crimo III had, “expressed violent ideations.”
During Tuesday’s hearing, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Facklam said he and Crimo attorney George Gomez had exchanged the reports and other potential evidence that would be used at trial, though they acknowledged computer issues have slowed the process. The attorneys told the judge that they are awaiting medical records that have been subpoenaed.
The judge asked the attorneys to stay on top of the discovery phase so the pretrial process could continue.
Crimo Jr. remains free on bond. His son is being held in the Lake County jail in lieu of bond on seven counts of first-degree murder and dozens of other felony charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 9.
