Extradition of suspect in Pawlet triple murder case could take over a month

PAWLET, Vermont (WCAX) – It could be more than a month before the man accused of a triple murder in Pawlet faces a judge in Vermont.

Brian Crossman Jr., 22, was arrested last week in his home state of New York and remains there.

Crossman Jr. told police he went for a walk on Sept. 15 and returned to his family's home in Pawlet to find they had all been shot.

Police arrested Crossman Jr. on Friday for the murders of his father Brian Crossman Sr. (46), his stepmother Erica Crossman (41) and his stepbrother Colin Taft (13).

Investigators say the house was littered with blood, gunshots and bullet casings and Crossman Jr.'s testimony was inconclusive.

Rutland County District Attorney Ian Sullivan called it a devastating event for the families and communities affected.

Crossman Jr. remains behind bars in New York. His next court date is scheduled for October 21, meaning it could be another month before he appears in court in Vermont.

“The formal extradition process requires a gubernatorial order from Vermont and New York. The offices of both governors will conduct an independent review of the records before a formal extradition can occur,” said Sullivan, who is prosecuting the case.

Sullivan says Crossman Jr. could waive extradition to Vermont, but that has not happened yet and it could be several weeks before that happens.

Crossman Jr. is charged with three counts of aggravated murder, the most serious charge in Vermont, and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

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