Guilty plea puts an end to Highland Park shooter’s trial
The alleged Highland Park shooter’s plea change on Monday morning likely ends weeks of court proceedings more than two years after the tragedy on July 4, 2022.
In the Lake County Courthouse prior to opening statements March 3, the defendant pleaded guilty to all 69 charges, which include 21 for first-degree murder.
The plea was not associated with any deal, said Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, who spoke to the media following the proceedings and released a public statement. He said his team were prepared to present multiple years’ worth of evidence starting Monday, when they learned of the shooter’s plea change.
“This was not a negotiation. This was not a deal,” Rinehart said. “He made a free decision to plead guilty to every count that was about to be presented to a jury. He received nothing in exchange.
“We were 1,000% ready for trial and to prove him guilty.”
Rinehart, in his statement, made note of the participation of July 4 survivors, investigators and support personnel who played a part in his team’s investigation.
Sentencing proceedings will begin on April 23.
“Justice in the legal system does not descend upon a case, it is earned,” he said. “It comes from the bravery of every victim and surviving family member who was going to come forward today and will come forward during sentencing.
He added, “I want to again thank everyone who played a part in this journey. The journey will not end for many. We will move to sentencing and continue support for those in need.”
More than 30 months after the mass shooting along the community’s holiday parade route, and following a week for jury selection, the much-publicized criminal trial for the tragedy’s culprit was essentially over as it began.
On July 4, 2022, the defendant’s actions claimed the lives of seven people — Katie Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin Michael McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacki Lovi Sundheim, Nicolás Toledo and Eduardo Uvaldo — while also injuring dozens of others and impacting many more.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, in a statement, thanked Rinehart and his team, as well as members of law enforcement and emergency-services personnel who aided the investigation that led to Monday’s plea.
“Today’s guilty plea is an important step toward justice, but does not erase the pain,” she said.
Rotering added, “We are confident in our legal system. We recognize that there are milestones ahead. We continue to stand together and remain committed to supporting the victims, their families, and our entire community as we move forward together as one Highland Park.”
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Joe Coughlin
Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319
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