Martin gets life without parole for Pembroke murders

Christian “Kit” Martin will likely spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole after the jury recommended that sentence Thursday morning for the November, 2015 murders of three neighbors in Pembroke.

The jury returned with its recommended sentence of life without parole after a little over an hour of deliberations.

During a two-hour penalty phase hearing Thursday morning, the jury heard from loved ones of the three victims.

Erin Hilton talked about her father, Ed Dansereau, who was shot and killed while attempting to help his neighbors who were in distress. She says her entire family has struggled at times to cope with the loss and the violent nature of his death caused unique challenges.

John Phillips is Calvin Phillips’ father and says the loss has been devastating to him, his wife and the rest of the family.

Calvin and Pam Phillips’ only child, Matt Phillips, told the jury he’ll never get to go home to his parents for the holidays or be with them for any other important occasion again.

The defense didn’t call any witnesses on Martin’s behalf and public defender Olivia Adams asked the jury to show grace to Martin by giving him a sentence that could allow him to one day meet his grandchildren outside of a prison. Assistant Attorney General Alex Garcia told the jury that Martin didn’t show his victims any grace and asked them to sentence Martin to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Judge John Atkins scheduled formal sentencing for September 2.

Martin, a former Army major and commercial airline pilot, was convicted on three counts of murder, burglary, arson, attempted arson and tampering with evidence.

An appeal of the verdict by the defense is almost certain.