Advertisement

Highland Park Shooting Suspect’s Attorney Quits During First Hearing

Photo of Carmine Sabia Carmine SabiaJuly 7, 2022
Screenshot
Advertisement

OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.

MessengerTelegramPrint

Highland Park shooting suspect Robert Crimo III’s attorney quit in the middle of his first court appearance.

It happened on Wednesday when his defense attorney Tom Durkin was unable at first to access the Zoom video.

After that was fixed the attorney, who was hired by the Crimo family, learned that he may have a conflict of interest, The Western Journal reported.

“Case is getting underway now. Crimo, who is appearing over Zoom, said he doesn’t have private attorney hired. He’s now in a private breakout room with the public defender, who was under the impression Crimo had retained private counsel,” WTTW reporter Matt Masterson said.

“Private attorney Tom Durkin, who had indicated he’d be representing Crimo, is apparently trying to join the Zoom, which has nearly 100 participants,” he said.

“Lake County prosecutors have, unsurprisingly, filed a petition seeking to have Crimo held without bond,” he said.

“The parents of the suspect retained attorneys Tom Durkin and Josh Herman to represent their son last night, but a conflict of interest prevents Durkin. Crimo will now be assigned a public defender. A preliminary hearing is set for July 28 at 1:30,” Fox reporter Mills Hayes said.

Advertisement

Prior to that, attorney Steve Greenberg, for whom Durkin works, and whose client list has included such notable defendants as signer R. Kelly, issued a statement by the family of the alleged shooter.

“The parents of the accused Highland Park shooter have retained us to represent them. They wish that we share the following: ‘We are all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, and this is a terrible tragedy for many families, the victims, the paradegoers, the community, and our own. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to everybody.’ The parents request that all respect their privacy as they try to sort thru this tragedy,” he said.

“To be clear, Robert Crimo III is represented by attorneys Tom Durkin and Josh Herman, not me!” he said.

He then went on a rant against what he called “assault weapons” and Republican politicians.

“This is my hometown where I grew up and raised my kids. WTF is wrong with people. No one needs these high powered weapons!!!!! F @tedcruz Mitch McConnell and all like them,” he said.

“And I stand behind this tweet. No one needs to own these weapons and no one should sell them,” he said.

“ISP should ask why did THEY approve a FOID card and why do THEY allow the sale of assault weapons?” the attorney said.

Advertisement

“The parents share everyone’s desire to figure out everything that went wrong so that this doesn’t happen again, to more innocent people, children, and families. They are 1000% cooperative with lawn Forssman,” he said.

“The ‘system’ is trying to make this about parenting. The parents recognize that is a legitimate concern. However it is important to know the Illinois State Police renewed the gun card when their son turned 21, long before this without any involvement from his father,” the attorney said.

“By the way, the law does not require a parent to sponsor, the law simply requires them to consent that their child may apply. It is then up to ISP to decide if the individual is competent to own a gun,” he said.

Test your skills with this Quiz!

“And the bigger question, that must be answered and resolved, is why are military grade assault weapons available for anyone to purchase?” he said.

“The parents share everyone’s desire to figure out everything that went wrong so that this doesn’t happen again, to more innocent people, children, and families. They are 1000% cooperative with lawn Forssman,” which we assume was meant to read “law enforcement.”

Advertisement
Photo of Carmine Sabia Carmine SabiaJuly 7, 2022