Motions to either change the judgement reached in jury trial or for a new trial to take place in the murder case against Christian “Kit” Martin were both denied Thursday in Christian Circuit Court.
Defense attorney Doug Moore was one of the lawyers that represented Martin in trial that took place in June that found him guilty on three counts of murder for the 2015 deaths of Calvin and Pamela Phillips and Ed Dansereau and he argued for the motions Thursday. He says there was a distinct lack of physical evidence in the case and asked the judge to either change the guilty verdict to an acquittal or set a new trial.
He also argued once again that the testimony used to generate an indictment against Martin was incorrect, and the indictment should have been dismissed. Moore also says that witnesses that did not take the stand due to the use of their fifth amendment rights should have been compelled to do so, using other measures to assure their immunity from possible incrimination.
Assistant Attorney General Alex Garcia says the defense had a chance to argue all of their points and counter arguments in trial, and they are just unhappy with the verdict.
Judge John Atkins ultimately denied both motions, saying he found the trial to have been fair.
Final sentencing is set to take place on September 2—Martin is facing a recommended sentence of life without parole. In addition to the murder charges, Martin was also convicted on arson, attempted arson, tampering with evidence and burglary.