Robert Crimo III, accused in July 4th parade mass shooting, backs out of plea deal in court hearing

Robert Crimo III, the man accused of opening fire from a rooftop onto Fourth of July parade revelers in Highland Park, Illinois, two years ago, killing seven people and injuring dozens, backed out of a proposed plea deal in a dramatic court hearing Wednesday.

In court, prosecutors said they and Crimo had agreed to a deal in which Crimo would plead guilty to seven murder counts and 48 counts of aggravated battery, one for each named victim in the indictment. In exchange, he agreed to be sentenced to natural life in prison, and the rest of the charges would be dismissed.

Read more of Eric Levenson and Virginia Langmaid's reporting on the hearing and plea deal for CNN.