A former commercial pilot and Army Major at Fort Campbell, convicted in the Pembroke triple murder case was formally sentenced in Christian Circuit Court Thursday afternoon, with his attorneys filing an immediate appeal.
Christian “Kit” Martin was convicted on all charges by a Hardin County jury in June for the November 2015 murders of Calvin and Pamela Phillips and their neighbor Ed Dansereau in Pembroke.
During the sentencing, Judge Atkins read the jury’s recommended sentencing after they found Martin guilty of three counts of murder, two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree arson, one count of criminal attempt to commit arson and three counts of tampering with physical evidence.
click to download audioJudge Atkins then sentenced Martin to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Immediately following the sentencing, Martin’s defense attorney Douglas Moore filed a notice of appeal.
click to download audioAssistant Attorney General Barbara Whaley made a request for Judge Atkins to allow two family members to speak, which he denied and added the court was well informed of how they feel when they testified prior to sentencing.
click to download audioMartin was then remanded into the custody of the Department of Corrections who will decide at which facility he will serve his sentence.
Prior to the hearing, a crowd of supporters gathered for a rally outside the Christian County Justice Center with Laura Spencer telling the News Edge they believe Martin is innocent.
click to download audioThe murder case took on a national appeal when Martin was arrested at the Muhammed Ali International Airport while boarding a flight he intended to pilot. Court-TV covered Martin’s trial extensively as well as Thursday’s sentencing which added to the national interest.
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