With the triple-murder trial of Christian “Kit” Martin a month away, defense attorneys are still waiting for evidentiary reports from prosecutors and police.
Defense attorney Tom Griffiths told Chief Circuit Judge John Atkins during Thursday’s court appearance they were made aware of a box of items that has not been inventoried by the police.
click to download audioGriffiths also said a laptop computer that was used by an investigator to obtain cell phone evidence was corrupted. That computer has since been sent to the FBI Crime Lab in Quantico, Virginia, and the defense has been assured a report will be made available by next week.
The case of Pembroke triple murder suspect Christian Martin will continue in Christian Circuit Court after a motion to dismiss the case was denied.
In a brief midday hearing in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday, Judge John Atkins denied Martin’s motion to dismiss charges for three counts of murder, arson, attempted arson, burglary first degree, and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. Judge Atkins denied Martin’s motion to dismiss for a due process violation. The judge did allow renewal of the motion at a later time if the defense wants to supplement the written motion with witness testimony.
The Supreme Court of Kentucky has declined to review an appeal of an order denying a motion for bond reduction for the former Fort Campbell Army major charged in connection to the murders of a Pembroke couple and their neighbor.
The appeal was filed by defense attorneys representing Christian Martin, who is being held in the Christian County Jail on a $3 million bond in connection to the fatal shooting of Calvin and Pam Phillips and Ed Dansereau in Pembroke in November 2015. The appeal came after Judge Atkins ruled in May a motion for bond reduction filed by Martin’s attorneys was denied.
click to download audioMartin was arrested in May 2019 after he was indicted by a Christian County grand jury on three counts of complicity to murder, arson, attempted arson, and other offenses. The charges are in connection to the shooting deaths of Calvin and Pam Phillips and Ed Dansereau in Pembroke in November 2015.
Martin is being held in the Christian County Jail under a $3 million bond.
Meanwhile, the Kentucky Supreme Court denied a request to review the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruling concerning Martin’s bond reduction request. Click here for full story.