A Hardin County jury recommended four life sentences Thursday for Christian “Kit” Martin, a former commercial pilot and former Army major found guilty in the 2015 Pembroke triple murder case.
The same jury returned the guilty verdicts on all ten charges Wednesday night, after over seven hours of deliberation. Martin was convicted of killing neighbors Calvin and Pamela Phillips and Ed Dansereau. Calvin was found shot in his home, while Pamela and Dansereau were discovered later, a few miles away, in the burned remains of a car.
After hearing closing testimony from the families of the victims, the jury deliberated on the recommended sentences for nearly an hour.
Christian County Chief Circuit Judge John Atkins shared the sentences recommended by the jury, which included three life sentences without parole for the murder with aggravated circumstances charges. The jury also recommended a life sentence for one count of 1st-degree arson and 20 years for the charge of criminal intent to commit arson. In addition, the jury recommended 20-year sentences for each of the two 1st-degree burglary charges and five-year sentences for each of the three tampering with physical evidence offenses.
Judge Atkins added Martin would serve these sentences at the same time.
Even though the sentences were recommended by the jury Thursday, Martin will officially be sentenced in Christian County Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon, September 2.
Judge Atkins thanked the prosecutors and defense for making the trial as smooth as possible and making his job easier.
