White Creek fire now a murder case

There were tense moments outside White Creek Town court Thursday when grieving and angry family members tried to get near Matthew Slocum, who was arraigned on charges he shot his mother, stepfather and stepbrother in their home, then ignited the house to cover it up.

With some family members sitting in the court staring at him, Slocum, 23, pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree murder and a count each of first and second-degree arson in the killing of Dan Harrington, his wife Lisa, and son Josh early Wednesday.

Slocum in jail garb just stared at the floor through the whole proceeding.

Dan Harrington's brother Raymond sat in court arms folded and when Slocum was led away stood and yelled, "See what it's like, you creep!" and had to be restrained by a sheriff's deputy from getting nearer the defendant.

Josh O'Brien's grieving mother, Polly O'Brien, also was in the courtroom and cried throughout the proceeding. When she saw Slocum, she bent over with her face in her hands crying and later quickly left the court without commenting.

Lisa's brother and the Slocum's uncle, Ray Coons, also sat in court.

"I wanted to get up and smack him," Coons said outside of court. "It was not easy sitting there. My sister was always ready to help him and his family but he's been a wacko for years. We think they had a disagreement and an argument about something but we don't know right now for sure."

Others expressed anger through tears.

"Lisa and Dan were just married a year and their family took such good care of him and his family," said Dan Harrington's aunt Phyllis Taylor outside of court. "He is a vicious human being who took the life of his own mother and left her there like a coward."

A large group of relatives and friends of the victims were not allowed inside the courtroom and contingents of Washington County sheriff's deputies and State Police troopers were on hand expecting trouble.

Slocum was sent to the Washington County jail without bail and will return to court Tuesday.

Slocum turned himself in to authorities about 10 p.m. Wednesday in Gilsum, N.H., after a standoff. Slocum agreed Thursday to be returned from New Hampshire. Law enforcement authorities from three states spent the day searching for him, his girlfriend, Loretta Colegrove, and their 4-month old son, Raymond Slocum. Colegrove and the baby were found unharmed and are in Massachusetts with Colegrove's mother.

The search began shortly after the suspicious fire destroyed the family home early Wednesday morning at 118 Turnpike Road in White Creek. White Creek Town Supervisor Bob Shay said Dan Harrington was the deputy highway superintendent.

The Keene Sentinel in New Hampshire reported that about 9:30 p.m., police could be heard speaking to Slocum with a bullhorn, telling him to answer a cellphone, that no one wanted to hurt him and asking him not to hurt anyone. Some 15 minutes later, a barefoot Colegrove, with the baby in her arms, appeared outside. Both were taken to nearby police barracks. Lt. Chris Aucoin said Slocum surrendered peacefully after successful negotiation.

Fire investigators sifted through more rubble Thursday, looking for clues to the cause of the White Creek blaze. Authorities prevented onlookers from getting near the house. Passersby left flowers and candles at the driveway.

Officials said all involved -- the Harringtons, Slocum, Colegrove and their son -- lived at the Turnpike Road address.