Chaplin convicted in tearful courtroom, plans to appeal

Posted at: 09/10/2012 6:20 PM
By: Beth Wurtmann

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In a packed and tense courtroom, the daughters of murder victim Rosemary Crosier tearfully described the impact her death has had for 18 years.

"I can't count the times I cried seeing visions of my mother being beaten lying in her own blood. Dying," said Bonnie Crosier.

"I grew up half my life without my mother because of you and now you're kids have to do the same and feel the same way I felt for the past 18 years," said Sharon Crosier.

Chaplin was convicted of murder for participating in a robbery that led to Crosier's beating death at the group home where she worked. Chaplin was 17-years-old, and having an affair with Crosier, a mother of six children. His DNA was found on paper towels at the bloody scene.

"I don't think I was treated fairly in any aspect. Everything I asked for was denied," Chaplin told the courtroom.

Chaplin insisted he didn't get a fair trial, addressing the Crosiers directly.

"I'd like to apologize to the family, I'm sorry what you are going through but I am an innocent man who was wrongly convicted," he said.

His denial, ignited a confrontation between his family and Crosier's.

The angry parties were cleared from the courtroom. The judge, handing down the max: 25 years to life in prison. Chaplin's sister said there is pain on both sides.

"Her youngest daughter was my friend. I felt so bad to see her go through that and everything. Her mother didn't deserve to go through that but my brother doesn't deserve to be accused of it or convicted of it cause he's an innocent man," Deb Chaplin said.

Chaplin plans to appeal.

His co-defendent, George Mott, was acquitted of murder charges in January.