Brian Crossman Jr., 23, from Granville, New York, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of killing his father, stepmother, and stepbrother in Vermont. His plea was entered by a defense attorney during his initial court appearance, and he was ordered to be held without bail. Crossman Jr. waived extradition from New York, where he was arrested, and will remain in custody until a Vermont judge decides if he should be detained through trial.
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Appearing via video from jail, Crossman Jr. did not speak during the brief hearing. He faces three counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of his father, 46-year-old Brian Crossman Sr., a member of the Pawlet Selectboard; his stepmother, Erica Crossman, 41; and his stepbrother, Colin Taft, 13. The killings took place on September 15 at the family’s home in Pawlet.
A prosecutor stated that autopsies revealed two of the victims died from gunshot wounds, describing the violence as “sustained and vicious.” The prosecutor argued that this level of brutality should influence the court’s decision on whether Crossman Jr. should remain in custody.
Crossman Jr. had reported the deaths to the police, claiming he was covered in blood because he had attempted to move his father’s body after discovering the scene. According to an affidavit, he told officers he had returned from a walk to find his family members dead. State police found an open gun safe and several firearms scattered at the scene.
On the day of the killings, Crossman Jr. was admitted to a mental health unit at Glens Falls Hospital. He was later arrested by New York State Police on September 19.
