Updated 06/08/2011 05:56 AM
Chaos erupts at courthouse as suspects from 1994 homicide arraigned
Several outbursts from family and friends disrupt court proceedings Tuesday, as two men were arraigned in a 1994 murder case. YNN's Sabina Kuriakose was at the Rensselaer County Courthouse and has the details.
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TROY, N.Y. -- Tempers flared and threats flying as a murder victim's loved ones clash with the families of the men now charged with her brutal death.
"Hold on a second. If there are any comments from anyone in the audience you'll be removed immediately," said Judge Andrew Ceresia, as chaos erupted in the courtroom.
George Mott
George Mott, 42, glared at the family of Rosemary Crosier, the 47-year-old mother of six he's accused of killing 17 years ago. Mott was arraigned along with Scott Chaplin, 34, on a total of six counts of second-degree murder. A source close to the investigation tells YNN it was Chaplin's DNA that was found at the bloody crime scene that cracked this cold case wide open.
"Nothing every came up, nothing ever happened, and then all of a sudden it's just there. It's like the clouds opened up," said Karen Konopasek, a friend of the victim.
Scott Chaplin
Crosier was found beaten to death at the group home where she worked in 1994. Friends said she and Chaplin were dating. Prosecutors allege the motive was robbery. Sources said up to $900 was missing from Crosier's purse when her body was discovered.
His attorney said Chaplin was long-eyed a suspect, but police never arrested him - until now.
Chaplin's attorney Stanton Ackerman said, "He wasn't guilty in '94 to '96. They basically had the same evidence then as they have now. He's not guilty today."
Rosemary Crosier
Mott's daughter and niece tell YNN he's innocent and that he barely knows Chaplin, the man with whom he now stands accused of murder.
"It's hard because he didn't do anything," said daughter Alyssa Mott. "So our family is getting torn apart."
Meantime, Crosier's friends are saying they hope justice can finally be served after nearly two decades of questions left unanswered.
"After 17 years, Rosie's finally going to have her time to rest in peace," said Konopasek.
Prosecutors may soon indict more suspects in this case. Meanwhile, Chaplin and Mott are being held at the Rensselaer County Jail.