Judge rules against bond reduction for Martin

Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins has denied a bond reduction request for triple-murder suspect Christian “Kit” Martin.

Martin’s attorney asked for the $3 million bond to be reduced to 10 percent of $1 million during a virtual hearing April 16.

The defense presented witnesses willing to house and help Martin get to his court appearances, while the prosecution argued that Martin as a skilled pilot could flee the area to anywhere in the world.

Judge Atkins says in his ruling against the bond motion that he finds difficulty in predicting Martin’s reasonably anticipated behavior, if released. He also cites Martin’s history of violence, and the extremely grave nature of his charges.

Martin is charged with three counts of murder, arson, attempted arson, first-degree burglary and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. Each count of the indictment alleges Martin acted “alone or in complicity with others or another.”

On November 18, 2015, Calvin Phillips was found shot to death in his home located on South Main Street in Pembroke. The bodies of Pamela Phillips and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau were found a few miles away in a corn field near Rosetown Road in a burned up car owned by Mrs. Phillips.  Martin could face the death penalty, if convicted.