HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) — Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Robert Crimo III.
He’s charged in the Highland Park parade shooting that killed seven people and hurt nearly fifty.
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Survivors of the deadly Highland Park 4th of July parade are preparing to face the alleged shooter as his case finally heads to trial Monday morning.
Robert Crimo III has been charged with 117 counts of murder and attempted murder.
He’s accused of planning the attack for weeks that killed seven people and injured nearly 50 others.
Last year, the then 23-year-old backed out of a plea deal that would put him behind bars for the rest of his life.
Now, his fate will be placed in the hands of a jury, which will be selected Monday morning.
A judge ruled last week, survivors will be allowed to be in the courtroom throughout proceedings, even before their testimonies take place.
“According to ABC7 Legal Analyst Gil Soffer, if you have been victimized, you have the same right to attend the trial as the accused does, regardless of whether you will be testifying later on,” Soffer explained.
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Typically, witnesses are not allowed in the courtroom until after their own testimony is complete.
Judge Victoria Rossetti is invoking the Illinois Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, a move opposed by Crimo’s defense team.
Prosecutors have said nearly all of the 48 survivors from that day plan to testify.
The trial is expected to last at least a month.
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