(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Judge Theodore Potkonjak of the 19th Circuit denied bail for Robert Crimo III at a bond hearing Wednesday morning.
Lake County prosecutors said Crimo faces life imprisonment for the alleged actions of shooting dozens of people, seven fatally, at Highland Park’s Fourth of July Parade on Monday.
At the hearing, Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit Ben Dillon said that Crimo made a voluntary statement confessing to the shooting in an interview with police at the Highland Park Police Station.
Dillon added that Crimo told investigators he dressed as a woman, used makeup to cover the tattoos on his face, and accessed the rooftop overlooking the parade route via a fire escape.
Crimo then confessed, Dillon said, to firing 83 rounds at parade attendees.
Authorities also revealed Wednesday that Crimo apparently fled to Wisconsin with plans of shooting more people.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said Crimo went to the Madison area intending to commit another mass shooting.
He intended to use a second rifle he had with him, after dropping the one he had fired at the parade as he fled, Covelli said. But Crimo turned back, dumped his cellphone in Middleton, Wis. and was arrested after being spotted by a North Chicago police officer in the evening, Covelli said.
Attorney Tom Durkin had previously been hired to represent Crimo, but he informed Judge Potkonjak that, due to a conflict of interest, he cannot take on Crimo as a client.
That means a public defender will represent Crimo.
Judge Potkonjak set Crimo’s next hearing for July 28.
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Sun-Times Media Wire contributed