A Lake County judge ruled Wednesday that prosecutors can use the entirety of a seven-hour police interrogation video in the trial of Robert E. Crimo III, the suspect in the Highland Park parade massacre. Judge Victoria Rossetti rejected a defense motion to suppress most of the interview, which took place the evening after the July 4, 2022 shooting that killed seven people. Crimo, who held a Quran in court during the hearing, is accused of firing on the parade from a rooftop.
Crimo’s attorneys argued that police violated his constitutional rights by not explicitly informing him that an attorney who arrived at the station had been hired by his family. Police only told Crimo that an attorney was in the lobby. However, Judge Rossetti agreed with the prosecution that police adequately informed Crimo of his rights, citing multiple instances where a Highland Park detective read him his Miranda rights. The judge noted Crimo’s statement in the video, “I like heard it a million times,” and described the interview as “conversational and non-threatening,” with a “relaxed atmosphere” that included breaks and food. She stated that Crimo clearly understood his rights.
The judge also ruled in favor of the prosecution on a separate motion allowing identification testimony from Highland Park Sgt. Brian Soldano, a former school resource officer who had interacted with Crimo and identified him in video and photos from the shooting scene.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart expressed agreement with the judge’s rulings but declined further comment, as did Crimo’s attorneys, Gregory Ticsay and Anton Trizna. The defense indicated they have prepared jury questionnaires for the trial, scheduled for February 24, 2025. The next court hearing is set for January 9.