Motion to dismiss denied for Pembroke triple murder suspect

A motion from the man accused in the 2015 Pembroke triple murder to dismiss the case against him has been denied by Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins.

Christian “Kit” 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.” Judge Atkins denied Martin’s motion to dismiss for due process violation, but says attorneys can file a similar motion if new evidence were to arise.

Defense attorney Tom Griffiths says they are still waiting on some pieces of evidence to come from the prosecutors, and expects they will receive it soon.

The defense is still working on plans with the Christian County Jail concerning Martin’s health and how to best accommodate him, as he currently is struggling with kidney stones. A pretrial hearing was set for January 21, at 1 p.m. for further evidence review.

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.