TROY, N.Y. - Tensions ran high for the arraignment of two men who Troy police arrested Monday night for a murder that occurred 17 years ago.
34-year-old Scott Chaplin, of 3 Ahearn Ave. in Troy and 42-year-old George Mott III, of 356 1st St. in Troy, are both being charged with 2nd-degree murder for the murder of Troy victim, 47-year-old Rosemary Ellsworth Crosier who was found bludgeoned to death in 1994 in an apparent robbery.
A fight even started outside the Rensselaer County Court between Crosier's family and members of the defendants families after emotions ran high during the arraignment.
Crosier was beaten to death in a home for the disabled, Prout Avenue Association of Retarded Persons Care, where she worked overnight as a counselor.
The investigation has continued from the initial response and involves many members of the Troy PD Patrol and Detective Bureaus, the New York State Police and forensics laboratories.
Chaplin, who was 18-years-old at the time of the murder, allegedly had an affair with Crosier, and was a main suspect in the case. However Chaplin denied any responsibility for killing Crosier to News10 back in 1994. But advances in forensic sciences have given police the proof they need to finally make the arrests.
Police say robbery was the suspected motive of the murder. Hundreds of dollars were found missing from Crosier's purse, and there was no apparent forced entry.
Chaplin and Mott both pleaded not guilty. Both men are being held in Rensselaer County Jail without bail. Sealed indictments, as well as more details about the forensic evidence, will be released in court.
A grand jury was assembled in January to review the evidence, and will continue with the case. More people could face charges.
George Mott
Scott Chaplin
Chaplin, 1994
Rosemary Ellsworth Crosier
Family members grew emotional in court
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