Man accused of killing family in Pawlet will be extradited to Vermont

WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. (WRGB) — The man accused of a brutal triple murder of his own family in Vermont appeared in court Thursday afternoon.

During a brief court appearance at the Warren County Courthouse, Brian Crossman Jr., 23, of Granville, sat slumped in his chair, his face expressionless as he nodded to the judge that he understood his rights and had decided not to seek extradition from New York to fight in Vermont.

Waiving his right to an extradition hearing will clear the path for him to be extradited to Rutland County, Vermont, where he will face charges in connection with the deaths of his father, stepmother and teenage stepbrother.

He is charged with three counts of aggravated murder.

On September 15, Brian Crossman Sr., 46, Erica Crossman, 41, and their son Colin Taft, 13, were found shot to death in their home in the town of Pawlet.

The judge set October 23 as the review date to determine whether the transfer to Vermont had taken place.

A recently released police affidavit revealed more details about the incident that night and about the 23-year-old.

The family told police that Crossman Jr., who lives in Granville, New York, was staying at his father's house that weekend because his mother was out of town.

According to the documents, Crossman Jr. told police he went for a walk around midnight looking for deer and when he returned several hours later he found his family dead.

“When he returned, he found his father, stepmother and stepbrother dead. He shared that he tried to get his father into a side-by-side and drive him to his grandmother's house across the street to notify her. He informed him that he had changed his mind and just dragged his father outside. He said he tried calling 911 several times but was unsuccessful. Crossman Jr. said he had changed his clothes and there were other bloody items of clothing in the apartment. The affidavit read.

According to the affidavit, information from his phone indicated that 911 was called between 3:25 and 3:35 a.m. These calls went unanswered. At 3:44 a.m. another emergency call was made, reaching the dispatcher.

Vermont State Police Corporal Joseph Duca responded to the call and met Crossman Jr. at Wells Village School. Duca said he noticed his shirt and pants appeared to be covered in blood.

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Crossman Jr. said the blood stained his clothing as he tried to drag his late father into a side-by-side vehicle to take him to his grandmother's house nearby to notify her, the affidavit said .

“He informed him that he had changed his mind and just dragged his father outside.” Read the affidavit.

Police found the bodies in different areas of the house, all with gunshot wounds.

His internet history on his phone revealed searches related to serial killers and unsolved murders.

The family told police that the relationship between father and son was problematic due to Crossman Jr.'s mental health and learning disability.

A family member said he had received psychiatric treatment over the years, adding that he may have schizophrenia.