The man accused of killing seven people with a high-powered rifle during a Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago in 2022 pleaded guilty on Monday, just as opening statements were expected to begin in his murder trial.
The man, Robert Crimo III, pleaded guilty to 69 criminal counts, including murder and attempted murder, which will result in a sentence of at least seven consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
“Is this what you want to do today, plead guilty?” Judge Victoria A. Rossetti of Lake County circuit court asked Mr. Crimo, who sat expressionless in court, wearing a suit and tie and staring straight ahead.
“Yes,” Mr. Crimo said, answering in the affirmative when Judge Rossetti asked if he understood what had been explained to him about his plea.
Judge Rossetti sent a sentencing date of April 23.
Dozens of family members of the victims of the parade attack in Highland Park, Ill., watched silently from the gallery. Mr. Crimo’s mother, Denise Pesina, called out from her seat in the courtroom when the plea was announced, but remained quiet after being admonished by the judge.
