Arguments For Bond Reduction In Pembroke Triple Murders

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A bond reduction hearing was held in Christian Circuit Court Thursday morning via video conference for the former Fort Campbell Army major, Christian “Kit” Martin, accused of killing a Pembroke couple and their neighbor in 2015.
Martin’s defense attorney Tom Griffiths called three witnesses to testify on behalf of his client — Tim Price, a Nashville attorney who also served alongside Martin in the Tennessee National Guard; Martin’s sister Amanda Flagg; and his daughter Mackenzie Bennett; all of whom live in Tennessee. All three testified that Martin was honest and trustworthy and that they would assist him in whatever way necessary if he was released on bond.
Prosecutors for the Attorney General’s Office called two witnesses — Officer Keith Duncan with pretrial services in Kentucky and Chief Deputy Jailer at the Christian County Jail Colonel Steve Howard. Officer Duncan testified that if Martin was released on bail they would not be allowed to travel across the state line for a person to person visit and they would be contacting him by telephone. Officer Duncan also said if Martin was released on an ankle monitor and was in Tennessee a contractor in Tennessee could provide coverage, but again if he breached the ankle monitor they would not be able to travel against state lines.
Defense attorney, Douglas Moore argued that the pretrial service report indicated Martin was low risk and would appear for court hearings. He also argued that Martin no longer has a pilot’s license and is not a flight risk and that his $3 million bond should be lowered.
Prosecutor Whaley argued there has been no change in the circumstances since his bond hearing in October 2019, and then even though he doesn’t currently have a pilot license does not mean he would not be a flight risk. She also pointed out he was dishonorably discharged from the Army, has no ties to Kentucky, and pretrial services cannot travel into Tennessee and it would be a tedious process to obtain a warrant in Tennessee if he failed to appear, failed to answer to pretrial services, or breached the ankle monitor.
After hearing arguments, Judge Atkins said he would take the arguments under advisement and would make a decision soon.
Whaley also provided defense attorneys with an update regarding DNA testing stating the FBI lab staff has been impacted by COVID-19 and she was advised they would have the test completed no sooner than the end of April but it would probably be May.
Judge Atkins did not set a trial date but scheduled another pretrial conference on Thursday morning, June 11, at 10:00.
Martin is charged with three counts of complicity to murder, arson, attempted arson, second-degree burglary and three counts of complicity of tampering with physical evidence in connection to the shooting deaths of Calvin and Pam Phillips and Ed Dansereau in November 2015.
He remains lodged in the Christian County Jail.

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