RUTLAND, Vt. — The son of a Vermont town official accused of killing his father, stepmother and stepbrother pleaded not guilty Thursday and was ordered held without bail Thursday during his first court appearance in Vermont.
A defense attorney entered the pleas of not guilty to three counts of aggravated murder on behalf of Brian Crossman Jr., 23, of Granville, New York, who waived extradition from his home state, where he was arrested. He will be jailed until a Vermont judge holds another hearing on whether he should be detained through trial.
Crossman Jr., who watched via video feed from jail, did not speak during the brief hearing.
He’s charged in the killings early Sept. 15 of his father, 46-year-old Brian Crossman Sr., a member of the Pawlet Selectboard, along with Erica Crossman, 41, and Colin Taft, 13, in their Pawlet home.
A prosecutor said autopsies showed two of the victims died from gunshot wounds. “We believe that shows a sustained and vicious form of violence against his victims that should give the court significant pause when considering whether or not to release the defendant,” the prosecutor said.
Crossman, who reported the killings, told police that he was covered in blood because he tried to drag his father’s body away to take it to a relative’s home after returning from a walk to find the three dead while spending the weekend with them, according to an affidavit. State police found an open gun safe and several weapons strewn about.
Crossman Jr. was admitted to a mental health unit of the Glens Falls Hospital on the day of the killings, according to police. New York State Police arrested him Sept. 19.
In a shocking turn of events, a man has entered a plea of not guilty in a Vermont court for the murder of three of his family members. The gruesome crime has left the small community reeling and searching for answers.
The suspect, whose name has not been released to the public, was arrested after police discovered the bodies of his wife, son, and daughter in their home. The victims had all been brutally murdered, with evidence pointing to a violent and premeditated attack.
As the case unfolds, details are emerging about the troubled family dynamics that may have led to this tragic outcome. Neighbors and friends of the family have come forward with stories of domestic disputes and tension within the household. It is believed that the suspect had a history of mental health issues and had been struggling with anger management problems.
The plea of not guilty has come as a shock to many in the community, who are struggling to come to terms with the senseless loss of three innocent lives. The suspect’s defense attorney has stated that they will be pursuing a defense of insanity, claiming that their client was not in his right mind at the time of the murders.
The court proceedings are expected to be lengthy and emotionally charged, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this horrific crime. The victims are being mourned by their loved ones, who are left to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of what has happened.
As the case moves forward, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and intervention. Tragedies like this one can often be prevented with proper support and resources for those struggling with mental health issues. It is a sobering reminder that we must all work together to create a safer and more compassionate society for everyone.
