Murder trial
Troy man arraigned for Jan. homicide police call “horrific”
Troy man arraigned for January homicide police call “horrific.”
A parolee was charged with murder as a judge unsealed an indictment Wednesday accusing him of killing Brianna Haughton, a 21-year-old mother who was slain inside a Pawling Avenue home last month.
Rashad Edwards, 34 of Troy, was arraigned at Rensselaer County Court for second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the indictment.
“I do not understand the charges against me,” Edwards said, shaking his head as County
Judge Debra
Young read the charges.
Edwards persisted, drawing the ire of Young.
“If you keep arguing, I will have you removed,” Young said.
After the arraignment, Edwards’ attorney, William Roberts, said his client had just learned of the charges against him because the indictment had been sealed.
“This is an emotional time for anyone brought into the courtroom,” Roberts said about his client’s behavior. “Obviously when he was brought into the courtroom full of people and news outlets videotaping him it can be unsettling.”
Edwards was held without bail. His next court appearance will be April 8.
As the arraignment concluded a couple of people in the courtroom could be seen trying to get Edwards’ attention by shouting out his name.
At about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13, police were called to 491 Pawling Ave., which is also Edwards’ address, to check on someone’s welfare. When they arrived at the home, which is less than 50 yards from Sacred Heart School, they found Haughton dead.
Law enforcement officials have provided few details about the slaying but called it “an extreme act of violence ... brutal,” and “horrific.”
The day of the discovery, police said they had identified a “person of interest” who was being treated at a local hospital with significant wounds and was in stable condition. Law enforcement sources did confirm that Edwards
was brought to the county jail from Samaritan Hospital and that he had sutures from cuts on his body.
Roberts would not confirm whether Edwards was taken into custody on Jan. 13.
Edwards has served prison time for weapons offenses.
The murder charge Edwards faces carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Haughton, the mother of a young son, was the city’s first homicide this year. Troy had one homicide last year.