The Washington County man accused of killing his father, stepmother and stepbrother in Vermont was back in court on Thursday.

Brian Crossman Jr. 22, of Granville, appeared briefly in Warren County Court. He waived a formal hearing and agreed to be extradited back to Vermont to face the charges.

Crossman is charged with three counts of murder in the killings of 46-year-old Brian Crossman Sr.; 41-year-old Erica (Pawlusiak) Crossman; and his 13-year-old stepbrother Colin Taft. The murders took place early on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 15 at the family home on Vermont Route 133 in Pawlet, which is just over the border from Granville.

Vermont State Police said in an affidavit that they found significant evidence against Crossman, including bloody clothes at the residence and blood on him, evidence at the scene and statements made by Crossman and others.

Officers found numerous guns throughout the house. There was a 12-gauge shotgun on the dining room table and a semiautomatic 9 mm handgun in the mudroom. There was also a 12-gauge shotgun on the couch that was jammed with a shell that was too long.

There was also a gun room with a firearm safe, two firearm cabinets and numerous other firearms. On the floor of that room was a 20-gauge shotgun with a broken butt, according to police. There were shotgun shells and pellets found in the mudroom, kitchen, master bedroom and upstairs bedroom, according to the affidavit. 

Robert Taylor, a friend of Brian Crossman Sr., told investigators that he was at the house on Sept. 13, when Crossman Jr. arrived to stay the weekend. He said Erica Crossman told Taylor that she didn’t feel safe with Crossman Jr. in the residence, and she was afraid to be alone when Crossman Sr. wasn’t around, according to court documents.

She said that she had a pistol but never carried it and wasn’t sure she would be able to use it if she needed. Taylor told her to lock up her guns. 

The court paperwork also quotes his mother stating that Crossman Jr. had few friends and did not socialize with people. He also sought treatment for mental health issues. She said his behavior was becoming more erratic.