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.

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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.