Highland Park Mass Murder Defendant Changes Course to Go to Trial After initially pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, the defendant in the Highland Park mass shooting has changed course and decided to go to trial. The defendant, Robert Crimo III, is accused of killing seven people and injuring dozens more during the July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois. The change in plea comes after a lengthy evaluation by mental health experts, who determined that Crimo was fit to stand trial. The decision to proceed with a trial signals that the defendant and his attorneys believe they can present a strong defense. The trial is set to begin on July 25th, 2023. The prosecution plans to call multiple witnesses, including survivors, family members of the victims, and law enforcement officers who responded to the shooting. They will also present evidence such as surveillance footage, ballistics reports, and Crimo’s own statements. The defense is expected to argue that Crimo was mentally ill at the time of the shooting and not responsible for his actions. They may present evidence of his prior mental health history and treatment. The trial is expected to be highly emotional and could last for several weeks. The outcome will have a significant impact on the Highland Park community, which is still grieving the loss of so many loved ones. If convicted, Crimo faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. He is also facing federal charges related to the shooting, which could result in the death penalty. The change in plea highlights the complexity of mental illness and the challenges of determining criminal responsibility in such cases. It will be up to the jury to decide whether Crimo was sane at the time of the shooting and whether he should be held accountable for his actions.