Robert Crimo Jr., father of alleged Highland Park parade shooter, opts for bench trial

Dad charged with 7 counts of reckless conduct for helping son Robert 'Bobby' Crimo III get a FOID card in 2019

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Friday, July 14, 2023
Father of alleged Highland Park shooter pleads not guilty after indictment for helping son get guns
Robert Crimo Jr. was arraigned in the Lake County courthouse one day after a grand jury formally indicted him for seven counts of reckless conduct.

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- The father of the alleged gunman in the deadly Highland Park parade shooting has opted for a bench trial.

Robert Crimo Jr. waived his right to a jury on Friday. He has been charged with seven counts of reckless conduct for helping his son, Robert "Bobby" Crimo III, get a firearm owners' ID in 2019.

SEE ALSO | Father of alleged Highland Park shooter pleads not guilty after indictment for helping son get guns

Crimo Jr., released on bond, could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

In an interview last year, Crimo Jr. said he does not regret sponsoring his son for a FOID card that allowed him to legally purchase weapons -- even after incidents that raised red flags with police. His son allegedly killed seven people and injured 50 others during Highland Park's Fourth of July parade in 2022.

Crimo Jr. will appear for a case management conference on Friday. The judge said in court last month that he hopes to hold the trial in October or November of this year.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

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