12 jurors and two alternates have been selected in Elizabethtown in the trial of Christian “Kit” Martin, who is accused of a triple murder in Pembroke in 2015 with proceedings expected to begin Thursday afternoon.
The case was moved to Hardin County because of perceived pretrial publicity in the case. During questioning Wednesday morning, a large pool of jurors indicated they had no prior knowledge of Martin or the case.
Circuit Judge John Atkins told the jurors the trial could last for most of this month and gave a strict warning about talking about the case with others.
click to download audioOn Tuesday, Judge Atkins denied a defense motion request to admit a failed polygraph test of Diana Phillips, the sister of murder victim Calvin Phillips.
Diana Phillips testified last month during an evidentiary hearing that she found what she thought was a shell casing on the back porch of her brother’s residence five months after the murders. Defense attorney Tom Griffiths said the fact Diana failed a polygraph given by investigators about finding the shell casing should be admitted as part of Martin’s defense.
Judge Atkins disagreed and said the polygraph will not be admitted as evidence. He also ruled the shell casing found will be allowed as evidence.
Also Tuesday, Assistant Attorney General Barbara Whaley asked the court to admit some cautionary hearsay statements reportedly made by Calvin Phillips and his wife Pamela that they should send the police to Martin if something happened to them.
click to download audioJudge Atkins said he will review case law and make a ruling before the trial begins Thursday.
Martin is accused of the November 2015 murders of Calvin and Pamela Phillips and their neighbor Ed Dansereau in Pembroke. Calvin Phillips was found shot in his home, while Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were discovered a few miles away in the charred remains of a car.
Martin, a former Fort Campbell soldier and later a commercial airline pilot, was arrested as he was ready to board a plane in Louisville.
Investigators have testified that Calvin Phillips was scheduled to appear as a witness in Martin’s court-martial two weeks before Phillips was killed.
Judge Atkins denied a bond reduction motion Tuesday, with Martin to remain in jail on a $3 million bond.
