Vermont
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.
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.
Vermont
Vt. man with lengthy criminal history sentenced for domestic assault
BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Bennington man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced on Monday on aggravated domestic assault charges.
Max Misch, the once self-described white nationalist who has made headlines before for hate crime and gun charges, will spend six months in jail with credit for time served and two years on probation for domestic assault.
He pleaded guilty to the charge last month after authorities said he admitted to hitting a woman he knew.
His conditions of probation include avoiding contact with his victim and not possessing any deadly weapons.
Copyright 2025 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Vermont
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Monday, Dec. 22
The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
SUNDAY’S H.S. GAME
Girls hockey
Saranac-Lake Placid 5, Burlington/Colchester 1
S/LP: Emma Clark 2G. Kayla Harvey 1G. Emii Colby 1G, 1A. Addison Colby 1G. Stephanie Killbourne-Hill 2A. Lyndsee Reardon 1A. Harper Strack 1A. Allison LaHart 34 saves.
B/C: Austen Fisher 1G. Taylor Davidson 1A. Logan Jewett 30 saves.
MONDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Girls basketball
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
Lyndon at Lake Region, 6 p.m.
BFA-St. Albans at North Country, 6:30 p.m.
Mount Abraham at Fair Haven
Thetford at Hazen
Burlington at Milton
Spaulding at Harwood
Lamoille at U-32
Montpelier at Peoples
Randolph at Oxbow
Boys basketball
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
U-32 at Mount Mansfield
Middlebury at South Burlington
Girls hockey
Middlebury at Burlington/Colchester, 4:20 p.m.
Essex at Rice, 5:25 p.m.
Boys hockey
Burlington at Champlain Valley, 5:15 p.m.
Missisquoi at Essex, 5:30 p.m.
Colchester at Rice, 7:30 p.m.
Middlebury at South Burlington, 7:40 p.m.
Spaulding at St. Johnsbury, 6 p.m.
Stowe at Harwood, 5 p.m.
TUESDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Girls basketball
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
Harwood at Lake Region
Enosburg at Middlebury
Missisquoi at BFA-Fairfax
Vergennes at Williamstown
Richford at Stowe
Essex at Colchester
Winooski at Twinfield/Cabot
Danville at Sharon, 8 p.m.
Mount Mansfield tournament
Rutland vs. South Burlington, 5:30 p.m.
Mount Anthony vs. Mount Mansfield, 7:30 p.m.
Boys basketball
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
Burr and Burton at Rice
Spaulding at Hartford
Woodstock at Randolph
Mount Abraham at Harwood
Enosburg at Hazen
Stowe at Milton
Rutland at Burlington
Colchester at Montpelier
Lyndon at Lake Region
Essex at Lamoille
Twinfield at Danville
Missisquoi at BFA-St. Albans, 7:30 p.m.
(Subject to change)
Vermont
All gifts matched to keep Vermonters warm and informed – VTDigger
Dear Readers,
There are just days left in our Warmth Support Program partnership, and right now, your gift can do double duty for Vermont.
Until midnight on Dec. 25, every donation is matched dollar for dollar and helps provide two days of emergency heat to a Vermont household in need through the Warmth Support Program of Vermont’s Community Action Agencies.
Local news helps Vermonters understand what’s changing on the local, state and federal level — and how to respond. VTDigger delivers daily and investigative news that you can rely on year round. This work takes resources, and it’s powered directly by our readers.
At the same time, thousands of households in Vermont are struggling to afford basic heat right now. The community-funded Warmth Support Program of Vermont’s Community Action Agencies fills critical gaps when other fuel assistance isn’t available. Funds go directly to fuel suppliers to prevent shutoffs and keep families from running out of heat.
If you’re able, please make a gift that’s meaningful to you before midnight on Dec. 25 and it will be matched! Plus it will warm homes.
Thank you for helping connect Vermonters to the information and resources we need to look out for one another this season.
Sincerely,
Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership and Engagement, VTDigger
P.S. If you or someone you know needs heat assistance, you can learn more about the Warmth Support Program and find contact information here.

The donation to the Warmth Support Program of Vermont’s Community Action Agencies is generously underwritten by our partnership sponsor, Vermont Gas, so that 100% of your gift to VTDiggers supports our newsroom.
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