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 walked in court handcuffed and wearing a gray and white jumpsuit. His court appearance was overseen by Judge Gary Hobbs.

In court, Crossman Jr. waived a formal hearing overseen and agreed to be extradited back to Vermont to face the charges.

“Mr. Crossman, you are charged with being a fugitive from justice from the State of Vermont for the commission, that occurred allegedly on or about September 15th of 2024, in that state of the crimes of aggravated murder for three separate counts,” Judge Hobbs said.

Judge Hobbs today made sure that Brian Crossman Jr. was making the decision to go back to Vermont on his own and was not being persuaded by anyone else.

“Has anyone forced you, coerced you, compelled you at all against your will to execute you this waiver of extradition?” Judge Hobbs said. Crossman Jr. then replied “Nope.”

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.

Judge Hobbs set a control date of October 23rd at 9:30 a.m. A control date is simply the date when the Warren County Court will make sure that Crossman Jr. is back in Vermont. An actual date for his transport back to Vermont has not yet been set.