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

In 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 yes to the judge that he understood his rights, choosing not to fight extradition from New York to Vermont.

By waiving his right to an extradition hearing, it clears the way for him to be transferred to Rutland County, VT to face charges in connection to the death of his father, stepmother, and teenage stepbrother.

He’s charged with three counts of aggravated murder.

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

The judge set a control date of October 23rd to determine if the transfer to Vermont had occurred.

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

Family told police Crossman Jr, who lives in Granville, NY, was staying at his father’s home that weekend because his mother was out of town.

According to the documents, Crossman Jr. told police he went out 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 deceased. He advised that he attempted to get his father into a side-by-side and drive him to his grandmother’s house across the street to notify her. He advised he changed his mind about this and only dragged his father outside. He advised he attempted to call 911 several times but was unable to. Crossman Jr. advised he had changed his clothing and there was additional bloody clothing at the residence,” the affidavit read.

According to the affidavit, information from his phone showed calls to 911 placed between 3:25 am and 3:35 am. Those calls went unanswered. An additional 911 call was placed at 3:44 am where he got through to the dispatcher.

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

MORE:Services announced for Vermont man and family, son charged with murder

Crossman Jr. said the blood stained his clothes when he tried to drag his deceased father into a side-by-side vehicle to bring him to his grandmother’s house nearby to notify her, according to the affidavit.

“He advised he changed his mind about this and only dragged his father outside,” read the affidavit.

Police found the bodies in different areas of the home, all suffering from gunshot wounds.

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

The family told police the father and son had a troubled relationship due to Crossman Jr.’s mental health and learning disability.

A family member said he has received mental health treatment over the years, adding that he possibly suffers from schizophrenia.

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont Judge Thursday heard arguments in the case over whether the state’s interim education secretary can stay on the job.

Two Democratic lawmakers this summer sued Governor Phil Scott over his appointment of Interim Education Secretary Zoie Saunders.

It comes after the Senate voted in April 19 to 9 to reject Saunders’ confirmation as education secretary, citing concerns about her background and qualifications. Moments later, the governor appointed Saunders interim secretary.

Senators Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Chittenden County, and Dick McCormack, D-Windsor County, allege the governor circumvented the Vermont Constitution which says confirmations need the advice and consent of the state senate.

“If you do not read this sentence as we are arguing it, there is no effective check and balance by the Senate. The governor would be able to reappoint by fiat,” said John Franco, a lawyer for the senators.

“This dispute isn’t really a dispute about the function of law or the constitution, it’s a political dispute about Secretary Saunders personally,” said David Golubock, a lawyer representing the Scott administration.

Judge Robert Mello is expected to make a decision in the case in the coming days.

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It’s that time of the year, everyone. High school football games kicked off throughout the state of Vermont Sep. 19-21 and there was plenty of great action taking place.

The No. 1 team in the Green Mountain State continues to be Champlain Valley Union followed by a new No. 2 in Rutland.

Here’s the complete breakdown of Vermont’s elite high school football teams, heading into Week 5 of the 2024 season, as we see it.

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There’s no team playing better than the Redhawks right now. An example of that is Champlain Valley Union rolling by Bellows Free Academy, 52-0.

The Raiders’ latest victim on the 2024 schedule was Laconia, cruising to a 34-12 victory. Up next is Burr & Barton this week.

Up against the previous No. 3 team in the state in Hartford, Middlebury proved why they needed to leapfrog them. The Tigers defeated the Hurricanes 21-7 and bump up a spot in this week’s rankings.

The Wasps have been pretty dominant over the first three games, out-scoring opponents 123-41. Up next they face U-32.

The bounce back was real for Burlington as they defeated U-32 in a slugfest. 28-21. Now they’ll take their show on the road against Bellows Free Academy this week.

It’s been a tough slate of games to start the season for the Hurricanes, but we won’t completely rule them out. We did need to bump them down a few spots after a 21-7 loss to Middlebury, however.

A 27-7 victory over Poultney keeps the undefeated roll going for Bellow Free Academy/Fairfax. Next up is a matchup against Spaulding.

The Slaters entered the rankings last week as the No. 10 team, but move up the after the dismantling of Lyndon Institute, 35-0. This Fair Haven bunch proved they’re for real.

Looking at what the Green Knights have done already, they deserve to make their way up in these rankings. They’re coming off a 56-6 victory over Missisquoi Valley.

We will let it slide when it comes to the 52-13 loss to No. 1 Champlain Valley Union earlier this season. The Hornets make their way in after a 24-20 victory over Burr & Barton.

Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.

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— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports