Editorial: May we hear no more from Highland Park gunman Robert Crimo III
'The court finds that the defendant is irretrievably depraved, permanently incorrigible, irreparably corrupt and beyond any rehabilitation.'
Anything unclear about that?
The statement made Thursday by Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti about Robert Crimo III, the man convicted of killing seven people and wounding 48 others when he opened fire at the 2022 July Fourth parade in Highland Park, was as shocking as it was definitive. If ever there was a succinct and compelling justification for sending someone away for life in prison, Rossetti helpfully provided one.
And then send this scourge away for the rest of his life, she did. Without any possibility of parole.
We know neither the judge's statement nor this sentencing will in any way compensate the people of Highland Park for what happened that day, nor bring back their lost loved ones. We mourned with them in 2022 and we do so again today with full memory of how this nihilistic person turned a joyous day of traditional family celebration into one of horror and loss.
We suspect that many of those who were at that 2022 parade have stared, as have we, at courtroom photos of Crimo and wondered how on earth he could have turned out this way, how this terrifying young man could have embraced such acts and then shown no remorse, how he could have retraumatized Highland Park by his confounding actions even as his case received his due process. He pleaded guilty, which was something, but otherwise made no effort to mitigate the unspeakable pain he caused. On the contrary, he seemed to relish its application.
Crimo is, we suppose, an enigma who must remain so. Ideally, far from sight.
We sincerely hope never to have to type his name again.
But we look forward to writing plenty more about Highland Park, a prideful community that responded to this waking nightmare with resolve, compassion, strength and patience.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
24-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Five Key Moments From Sean ‘Diddy' Combs' Ongoing Sex Trafficking Trial
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday will resume their case against Sean "Diddy" Combs, whose sex trafficking trial has included stirring and often lurid testimony throughout two sensational weeks. Here's a recap of five crucial moments from the courtroom in Lower Manhattan that may play an outsized role as the jury of eight men and four women weighs the fate of Combs, 55, who faces up to life in prison if found guilty. Judge Arun Subramanian said Thursday he hopes the trial will conclude prior to the July Fourth holiday weekend. Casandra Ventura, the star witness in the sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy case against Combs, testified over four days last week - detailing instances of physical, sexual and psychological abuse during her 11-year relationship with the Bad Bay Records founder. The 38-year-old R&B singer, who goes by Cassie professionally, is expecting her third child with husband Alex Fine in weeks. Heavily pregnant, she broke down on the stand while recalling the extended and sometimes violent drug-fueled sex sessions with escorts known as "freak offs." "How did you feel during the freak offs when Sean beat you?" prosecutor Emily Johnson asked Ventura, who began to get emotional. "Worthless, like dirt," she testified as jurors and Combs watched on intently. "Like I didn't matter to him. Like I was nothing, absolutely nothing." Rapper Kid Cudi, who briefly dated Ventura in 2011 while she was on a break with Combs, told jurors that Combs broke into his Los Angeles home late that year and then torched his black Porsche 911 weeks later in January 2012. Cudi testified that Combs was livid that the Grammy-winning rapper had been seeing Ventura romantically, even spending the holidays with her family in Connecticut. No criminal charges were filed in either incident, although Cudi, 41, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, insisted in court that Combs "had something to do" with the Molotov cocktail placed inside his totaled Porsche. That testimony prompted an objection from Combs' attorneys. Judge Subramanian sustained the objection, telling jurors to ignore the accusation. The two rap stars then arranged a meeting after the car bombing at the Soho House hotel in Los Angeles, where Combs arrived first and stood near a window with his hands clasped behind his back "like a Marvel supervillain," Cudi testified. Combs and Cudi ultimately shook hands, although the tense meeting didn't provide the answers Cudi sought, he told jurors. "What are we going to do about my car?" Cudi recalled asking Combs. "I don't know what you're talking about," Combs replied, according to Cudi's much-anticipated testimony. Sharay Hayes, a male escort known as "The Punisher," told jurors about the dozen "freak offs" he had with Combs and Ventura between 2012 and 2015, earning up to $2,000 per sessions at luxury locales in New York, including the Trump International Hotel overlooking Central Park. Hayes, 51, said he was hired to create a "sexy scene" while doused in baby oil with Ventura as Combs masturbated nearby. The R&B singer paid him for the encounters, which included unprotected sex, he testified. The hulking escort said he had trouble maintaining an erection as Combs demanded he and Ventura have intercourse during their final liaison in March 2015. But Hayes said he never sensed at the time that Ventura had been uncomfortable during their meetings. "I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on," Hayes testified. "It seemed like it was consensual as far as I was concerned." George Kaplan, 34, told jurors he worked up to 100 hours per week as Combs' former executive assistant from late 2013 through 2015, often setting up hotel rooms in advance of drug-fueled romps in Los Angeles, New York and Miami. Combs, who used an alias of "Frank Black," would typically stay for as little as 12 hours or up to several days, leaving behind empty Gatorade bottles, baby oil and "brown crystalized powder" on one occasion, Kaplan testified. Kaplan said he saw Combs get violent with Ventura during an incident on his private jet in 2015 and spotted the singer with bruises on her eyebrow and face during a visit to Combs' home later that year. Kaplan, who testified after being subpoenaed by federal prosecutors, said Combs' "physical behavior" ultimately prompted him to leave his job. "In my heart of hearts, I knew it was the right thing to do," said Kaplan, who did not notify authorities in either alleged attack. But Kaplan also spoke glowingly of his former boss, insisting Combs' "infectious vibration" and intense work ethic had helped him grow as an aspiring executive. "I'm a young man and this is a God among men talking to me," Kaplan testified. "He not only pushed me to my depth, he pushed me to depths I didn't even know I had." Gerard Gannon, a federal agent who searched Combs' 20,000-square-foot Miami mansion in March 2024, testified that he was among 80 to 90 investigators who descended upon the property and found AR-15 components along with sex toys and dozens of bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also seized three cellphones found inside a Balenciaga boot, a Gucci pouch stuffed with ketamine and MDMA and a .45-caliber handgun discovered tucked away in a red suitcase. The serial numbers on the disassembled AR-15 components had been defaced, but the high-powered weapons were not operable as found, Gannon said. He displayed the weapons to the jury, as well as one pair of seven-inch red heels found inside Combs' closet. Twelve other pairs of similar stilettos were recovered in all, the agent testified. Attorneys for Combs had previously characterized last year's raid as a "gross overuse of military-level force," but Teny Geragos tried a different tact during cross-examination of Gannon on Tuesday - asking the agent if he owns a gun as a resident of Florida. Gannon, who confirmed he did as part of his federal role, responded to Geragos' questioning as two of Combs' sons entered the courtroom. Combs and his family, meanwhile, were not present at the Star Island mansion during the raid. Gannon said agents waited until the mogul departed for a trip with his relatives prior to executing the search warrant. Despite nearly two weeks of lurid testimony, in which the defense even acknowledged their client as a domestic abuser, the prosecution's top charge of sex trafficking has not yet been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, according to legal analysts who spoke with Newsweek. That is largely due to contemporaneous texts between Ventura and Combs shown in court, which suggest she was a willing participant in the "freak offs" at the time, the analysts said. To that argument, Dr. Dawn Hughes, a forensic psychologist, testified as a prosecution witness, explaining to jurors why some victims stay in abusive relationships, including psychological bonds or deep-rooted love for their partner. "They experience a tremendous amount of shame, humiliation, degradation," Hughes said of sexual abuse victims. "They don't want to talk about it. They don't even want to think about it in their own brain." Hughes, who provided testimony as a so-called "blind expert," had not interviewed Combs or the alleged victims in the case, she acknowledged. Former Combs' employee Capricorn Clark is scheduled testify next when the case resumes on Tuesday, followed by Los Angeles police and fire officials. Related Articles 'Diddy' Looked Like Marvel Supervillain After Car Blew Up: Kid CudiSean 'Diddy' Combs Juror Appears to Fall Asleep During CourtDonald Trump Hotel Gets Dragged Into Sean 'Diddy' Combs TrialDiddy Trial Going His Way So Far, Legal Analysts Say: 'Acquittal Likely' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Newsweek
Five Key Moments From Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Ongoing Sex Trafficking Trial
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Federal prosecutors on Tuesday will resume their case against Sean "Diddy" Combs, whose sex trafficking trial has included stirring and often lurid testimony throughout two sensational weeks. Here's a recap of five crucial moments from the courtroom in Lower Manhattan that may play an outsized role as the jury of eight men and four women weighs the fate of Combs, 55, who faces up to life in prison if found guilty. Judge Arun Subramanian said Thursday he hopes the trial will conclude prior to the July Fourth holiday weekend. Casandra Ventura arrives home after testifying at federal court in Manhattan in the sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs, her former boyfriend of 11 years. Casandra Ventura arrives home after testifying at federal court in Manhattan in the sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs, her former boyfriend of 11 years. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP 'Like Dirt' Casandra Ventura, the star witness in the sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy case against Combs, testified over four days last week — detailing instances of physical, sexual and psychological abuse during her 11-year relationship with the Bad Bay Records founder. The 38-year-old R&B singer, who goes by Cassie professionally, is expecting her third child with husband Alex Fine in weeks. Heavily pregnant, she broke down on the stand while recalling the extended and sometimes violent drug-fueled sex sessions with escorts known as "freak offs." "How did you feel during the freak offs when Sean beat you?" prosecutor Emily Johnson asked Ventura, who began to get emotional. "Worthless, like dirt," she testified as jurors and Combs watched on intently. "Like I didn't matter to him. Like I was nothing, absolutely nothing." Rapper Kid Cudi arrives at federal court in Manhattan on May 22 to testify in the sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs, who faces up to life in prison if convicted Rapper Kid Cudi arrives at federal court in Manhattan on May 22 to testify in the sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs, who faces up to life in prison if convicted TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images Kid Cudi on the Stand Rapper Kid Cudi, who briefly dated Ventura in 2011 while she was on a break with Combs, told jurors that Combs broke into his Los Angeles home late that year and then torched his black Porsche 911 weeks later in January 2012. Cudi testified that Combs was livid that the Grammy-winning rapper had been seeing Ventura romantically, even spending the holidays with her family in Connecticut. No criminal charges were filed in either incident, although Cudi, 41, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, insisted in court that Combs "had something to do" with the Molotov cocktail placed inside his totaled Porsche. That testimony prompted an objection from Combs' attorneys. Judge Subramanian sustained the objection, telling jurors to ignore the accusation. The two rap stars then arranged a meeting after the car bombing at the Soho House hotel in Los Angeles, where Combs arrived first and stood near a window with his hands clasped behind his back "like a Marvel supervillain," Cudi testified. Combs and Cudi ultimately shook hands, although the tense meeting didn't provide the answers Cudi sought, he told jurors. "What are we going to do about my car?" Cudi recalled asking Combs. "I don't know what you're talking about," Combs replied, according to Cudi's much-anticipated testimony. Sean Combs family, including son King Combs, right, and stepson Quincy Brown arrive at federal court in Manhattan on May 16. Sean Combs family, including son King Combs, right, and stepson Quincy Brown arrive at federal court in Manhattan on May 16. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images 'The Punisher' Speaks Sharay Hayes, a male escort known as "The Punisher," told jurors about the dozen "freak offs" he had with Combs and Ventura between 2012 and 2015, earning up to $2,000 per sessions at luxury locales in New York, including the Trump International Hotel overlooking Central Park. Hayes, 51, said he was hired to create a "sexy scene" while doused in baby oil with Ventura as Combs masturbated nearby. The R&B singer paid him for the encounters, which included unprotected sex, he testified. The hulking escort said he had trouble maintaining an erection as Combs demanded he and Ventura have intercourse during their final liaison in March 2015. But Hayes said he never sensed at the time that Ventura had been uncomfortable during their meetings. "I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on," Hayes testified. "It seemed like it was consensual as far as I was concerned." George Kaplan, a former executive assistant for Combs, leaves federal court after testifying on May 22 in his former boss' sex trafficking trial. George Kaplan, a former executive assistant for Combs, leaves federal court after testifying on May 22 in his former boss' sex trafficking trial.A Once-Dutiful Employee George Kaplan, 34, told jurors he worked up to 100 hours per week as Combs' former executive assistant from late 2013 through 2015, often setting up hotel rooms in advance of drug-fueled romps in Los Angeles, New York and Miami. Combs, who used an alias of "Frank Black," would typically stay for as little as 12 hours or up to several days, leaving behind empty Gatorade bottles, baby oil and "brown crystalized powder" on one occasion, Kaplan testified. Kaplan said he saw Combs get violent with Ventura during an incident on his private jet in 2015 and spotted the singer with bruises on her eyebrow and face during a visit to Combs' home later that year. Kaplan, who testified after being subpoenaed by federal prosecutors, said Combs' "physical behavior" ultimately prompted him to leave his job. "In my heart of hearts, I knew it was the right thing to do," said Kaplan, who did not notify authorities in either alleged attack. But Kaplan also spoke glowingly of his former boss, insisting Combs' "infectious vibration" and intense work ethic had helped him grow as an aspiring executive. "I'm a young man and this is a God among men talking to me," Kaplan testified. "He not only pushed me to my depth, he pushed me to depths I didn't even know I had." Agent Reveals Role in Raid Gerard Gannon, a federal agent who searched Combs' 20,000-square-foot Miami mansion in March 2024, testified that he was among 80 to 90 investigators who descended upon the property and found AR-15 components along with sex toys and dozens of bottles of baby oil and lubricant. A police officer during the March 2024 raid on Combs' Miami mansion. A police officer during the March 2024 raid on Combs' Miami mansion. MEGA/GC Images Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also seized three cellphones found inside a Balenciaga boot, a Gucci pouch stuffed with ketamine and MDMA and a .45-caliber handgun discovered tucked away in a red suitcase. The serial numbers on the disassembled AR-15 components had been defaced, but the high-powered weapons were not operable as found, Gannon said. He displayed the weapons to the jury, as well as one pair of seven-inch red heels found inside Combs' closet. Twelve other pairs of similar stilettos were recovered in all, the agent testified. Attorneys for Combs had previously characterized last year's raid as a "gross overuse of military-level force," but Teny Geragos tried a different tact during cross-examination of Gannon on Tuesday — asking the agent if he owns a gun as a resident of Florida. Gannon, who confirmed he did as part of his federal role, responded to Geragos' questioning as two of Combs' sons entered the courtroom. Combs and his family, meanwhile, were not present at the Star Island mansion during the raid. Gannon said agents waited until the mogul departed for a trip with his relatives prior to executing the search warrant. Case Far From Slam Dunk Despite nearly two weeks of lurid testimony, in which the defense even acknowledged their client as a domestic abuser, the prosecution's top charge of sex trafficking has not yet been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, according to legal analysts who spoke with Newsweek. That is largely due to contemporaneous texts between Ventura and Combs shown in court, which suggest she was a willing participant in the "freak offs" at the time, the analysts said. To that argument, Dr. Dawn Hughes, a forensic psychologist, testified as a prosecution witness, explaining to jurors why some victims stay in abusive relationships, including psychological bonds or deep-rooted love for their partner. "They experience a tremendous amount of shame, humiliation, degradation," Hughes said of sexual abuse victims. "They don't want to talk about it. They don't even want to think about it in their own brain." Hughes, who provided testimony as a so-called "blind expert," had not interviewed Combs or the alleged victims in the case, she acknowledged. Former Combs' employee Capricorn Clark is scheduled testify next when the case resumes on Tuesday, followed by Los Angeles police and fire officials.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wisconsin dad charged in school shooting is latest parent accused in gun violence
A Wisconsin man charged with crimes for a school shooting committed by his daughter is the latest U.S. parent taken to court for violence caused by a child. Prosecutors have extended responsibility beyond shooters if they believe there is evidence that a parent contributed to the violence. The charges against Jeffrey Rupnow include intentionally giving a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 causing death. In December, his daughter, Natalie Rupnow, 15, killed a student and a teacher at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, and killed herself. Rupnow was due to appear in court Friday. A look at other cases: Oxford school shooting Jennifer and James Crumbley were the first U.S. parents held criminally responsible for a mass school shooting committed by a child. They are serving 10-year prison terms for involuntary manslaughter. Their son, Ethan Crumbley, killed four students and wounded others at Michigan's Oxford High School in 2021. The school revealed his violent drawings to the Crumbleys a few hours before the shooting, but they declined to take him home. No one checked his heavy backpack for a gun. The Crumbleys were not aware of their son's plans, but they had given a gun as a gift a few days earlier. Prosecutors said Ethan's actions were foreseeable and that the Crumbleys had failed to prevent the violence. July Fourth tragedy Robert Crimo Jr. pleaded guilty to misdemeanors for endorsing his son's Illinois gun permit in 2019 despite knowing that Robert Crimo III had expressed suicidal thoughts. Three years later, Crimo III killed seven people at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, a suburb north of Chicago. 'He was criminally reckless the moment he submitted that affidavit,' prosecutor Eric Rinehart said of the father. Crimo Jr. was sentenced to 60 days in jail. His son is serving a life prison sentence after pleading guilty in March to murder. Gun as a gift In Georgia, Colin Gray is awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of two students and two teachers last year at Apalachee High School in Winder. Gray gave his son, Colt Gray, an assault-style firearm as a gift and was aware that the child's mental health had deteriorated, investigators said. Colt Gray had a shrine above his home computer for the gunman in the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school massacre, according to prosecutors. Colin Gray has pleaded not guilty. In a separate case, his son has pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Boy, 6, shot teacher Deja Taylor was prosecuted in state and federal court after her 6-year-old son took her gun to school and wounded a teacher in a classroom full of students in Newport News, Virginia, in 2023. Taylor was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for a drug-related crime connected to possessing a gun. Separately, she was sentenced to two years in state prison for child neglect. 'That is my son, so I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him because he can't take responsibility for himself,' Taylor told 'Good Morning America' in 2023. The teacher, Abigail Zwerner, told a judge she wasn't sure 'whether it would be my final moment on Earth.'
