Families clash during murder suspects' arraignment in Rosemary Crosier cold case murder

(CBS/WRGB)TROY, N.Y. - The families of murder suspects George Mott and Scott Chaplin, who were arraigned in a 1994 case, got into a courtroom tirade with the family of victim Rosemary Crosier, that continued beyond the courtroom doors.

Crosier was beaten to death at a home for the disabled in 1994.  It was quiet in the court Tuesday until one of the suspects, Mott, was brought in, and that's when the cursing started, according to local station WNYT.

The judge tried to calm things down, but the outburst continued. Some people were asked to leave the courtroom, as officers called for backup. The nasty verbal sparring and gesturing continued outside the courthouse.

Crosier, a 47-year-old mother of six, was working as a counselor at a group home in Troy, where she was found beaten to death on the morning of March 24, 1994.

Mott and Chaplin were arrested Monday afternoon, 17 years after the alleged murder.

"He did not commit this homicide and I stand here today and I tell you like I said in 1994 to 1996, Troy police detectives know he did not commit this murder." said Stan Ackerman, attorney for Chaplin, to CBS affiliate WRGB.

Robert Becher, an Albany attorney serving as special prosecutor in this case, told WRGB, "There's certainly scientific evidence that was alluded to at the arraignment. It will be explored in greater detail at the bail application."

Mott and and Chaplin are the only two people charged with the murder, but Chaplin's attorney believes there could be others.

Mott and Chaplin are being held at the Rensselaer County Jail without bail.