Evidence main topic of Pembroke triple-murder suspect hearing

Trial is set to begin in June for Pembroke triple-murder suspect Christian “Kit” Martin, and a hearing mostly concerning evidence was held Thursday in Christian Circuit Court.

Martin is represented by Tom Griffiths and Doug Moore, who both say that while they have received the majority of evidence in this case, they are still waiting for a report from a cellphone data analyst and wanted to have a separate hearing concerning a shell casing.

Assistant Attorney General Barbara Whaley contended that a separate hearing is not necessary as its importance is to be decided by a grand jury, and she explained that the casing was allegedly discovered by the victim’s family when they were cleaning the home.

Concerning the cellphone data report, Griffiths says their own investigations have been stalled due to the delay in getting that report, and he’s frustrated by that since it is such a critical piece of evidence.

Judge John Atkins assured him that if the report isn’t filed come Monday, they will both be angry and they will respond accordingly from there.  Two witnesses were questioned during Thursday’s proceedings about a search warrant that was done on a safe belonging to Martin in 2016, with the defense arguing the dates on the warrant don’t line up with when items inside of it, including a handgun, were seized.

Judge Atkins continued proceedings to May 21, telling Martin and all involved that they will continue evidence discussions at that time and take up other matters if need be, with trial set to begin on June 1.

Martin is charged with three counts of murder, arson, attempted arson, first-degree burglary and three counts of tampering with physical evidence in connection with the November, 2015 deaths of Calvin Phillips, Pamela Phillips and Edward Dansereau. Each count of the indictment alleges Martin acted “alone or in complicity with others or another.”