Phillips "had gotten me out of this huge mess. Son of slain parents on American Airlines pilot charged in 2015 triple homicide: Its just a relief. PSA Airlines pilot Christian Richard Martin, 51, was arrested Saturday at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and charged with three counts of murder, one of arson, one of attempted arson, burglary in the first degree and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. At one point, Martin used a handkerchief to wipe away tears as the defense described how he tried to helpother inmates with their cases while locked up. They also claim Martin was targeted by an attorney general seeking to bolster his tough-on-crime credentials as part of his gubernatorial campaign. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Christian Martin was arrested at Louisville Airport in connection to a 2015 triple murder case. Christian Martin was arrested at Louisville Airport in connection to a 2015 triple murder case. After all, it incorporates aspects of alleged cruelty and sexual abuse, a possible love triangle, and a man hoping to save his reputation by all means possible. "We believe that he is innocent of these charges and hope that the truth will come out.. We found 24 records for Matt Phillips in Hodgenville, Trenton and 14 other cities in Kentucky. This booking photo provided by the Christian County Jail in Kentucky shows triple murder suspect Christian Kit Martin. Court info from 5/22/19 thru 12/17/20 reference post #78 here: 1/21/21 Update: A motion filed last week in Christian Circuit Court, an analysis of "pings" from cellphone towers in and around Pembroke reportedly showed that at the time of the crimes, Martin was in the vicinity of the burned vehicle not at home as he had claimed. Lori Vallow Daybells cousin: Family dynamic, outlandish religious beliefs to blame, CO v. Letecia Stauch: Stepmother Murder Trial, ID v. Lori Vallow Daybell: Doomsday Cult Case, Analyst: DNA on Duct Tape Matches Lori Vallow Daybell WATCH NOW, Testimony: Tammy Daybell Blocked Charles Vallow Email WATCH NOW, Tammy Daybells Death Ruled Homicide WATCH NOW, Melani Pawlowski Seen Entering Idaho Courthouse WATCH NOW, Larry Woodcock Reacts to DNA Testimony WATCH NOW, 7 bodies found during search for missing Oklahoma teens, CO v. Letecia Stauch: Daily Trial Updates, Analyst testifies to timeline of Letecia Stauchs movements, Roman Polanski poses for photo with his rape victim, Idaho Student Killings: Goncalves family fights gag order, Texas governor's reward announcement draws criticism amid manhunt, Judge denies request for mistrial from Trump's attorneys in rape trial, Bride killed on wedding day when alleged DUI driver hit golf cart. "My parents died for this court-martial," Matt Phillips said in 2019. He was dismissed from the Army and received 90 days in jail. In that meeting, the son said he was worried the case had stalled. Beshear said his office took over the investigation after Matt Phillips, the son of the murdered couple, met with him two years ago and voiced fears the case might never be solved. One of the murder victims was Calvin Phillips, a married man involved in an extramarital sexual affair with Major Martin's dangerous, bigamist, convicted felon, lying and conniving ex-wife; Joan Harmon-Guerra. Around 3 search warrants were executed on his property and vehicles over the years, and investigators also asked him to provide DNA samples for forensic analysis. Calvin and Pamela Phillips' son, Matt Philips, told CNN his father helped build an Army case against Martin, who had served for 30 years. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. I received this article this morning, but unfortunately can't access it over here - even in Outline. Members of the Phillips, Dansereau and Martin families were in attendance Wednesday and emotionalas the jury announced the guilty verdict following several hours of deliberation. Martin allegedly broke into the Phillips' home in Pembroke, Kentucky, on Nov. 18, 2015, and fatally shot Calvin Phillips with a .45 caliber pistol, according to an indictment unsealed on Monday. Martin was eventually found guilty in the court-martial of one count of mishandling classified information and assault on a child under the age of 16. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and was discharged after 30 years of military service. The then-American Airlines commercial pilot stood trial for murder, arson, burglary, and tampering with evidence in connection to this case in 2021. Living in terror for three and a half years, every time you hear a noise you look over your shoulder, Phillips said. Martins attorney, assistant public advocate Tom Griffiths, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. From there, Christian was taken into custody for questioning and released days later by the government. But Martin said he wasn't jealous. Defense attorney Tom Griffiths told Chief Circuit Judge John Atkins during Thursdays court appearance they were made aware of a box of items that has not been inventoried by the police. After what was done to my parentsThey were executed and so, to know that he was still walking around every day is excruciating, Phillips said. Martin and Harmon had their marriage voided about three years before the November 2015 murders, after he had learned Harmon was actually married to another man. "My father was a federal witness. The Kentucky Attorney General's office took over the case in 2017 after the Phillips' son, Matt Phillips, went to then-Attorney General Andy Beshear and expressed fear that the investigation had gone cold. This was an attack not only on my family but on the entire justice system.". Christian Martin said in 2016 that one of his alleged victims was supposed to be his "star defense witness" in his court-martial. Calvin was an Army veteran and Pam served at a local bank after spending roughly 10 years as a stay-at-home mom for their one and only child, Matt Phillips. The second best result is Matthew Victor Phillips age 30s in Elsmere, KY. Matthew is related to Brittany Marie Wells and Vickie Lynn Phillips as well as 3 additional people. "So his family and I believe he is 100 percent innocent.". Martin said he considered Phillips an asset in his case. He is accused of murdering his neighbors, married couple Calvin and Pamela Phillips, and Edward Dansereau. 1 of 2. "And the other thing he had done for me was he had gotten me out of this bigamist relationship. ", Dansereau's daughter and only child, Erin Hilton, remembered her father as aprofessional jazz pianistand"passionatelover of life.". His defense team argues the grand jury indicted him based on misleading testimony from an investigator about the cellphone tower evidence. Martin and Harmon had split and their marriage was voided three years before the murders after he allegedly found out she already had a husband. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Diana Phillips testified she found what she thought was a shell casing on the back porch. Reach Louisville Courier Journal reporter on Twitter: @adwolfson. Griffiths argued in an opening statement that the prosecutions theory that his client wanted to silence a witness in his court martial made no sense because Phillips alsowas set to testify for the defense in the military trial. IE 11 is not supported. ABC station WTVD-TV in Durham, North Carolina, interview with NBC affiliate station WSMV-TV in Louisville, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Atkins, the judge, thanked thejurors for "doing your duty without complaint.". Diana Phillips, the sister of victim Calvin Phillips,describes allegedly stumbling upon the only pieces of physical evidence potentially tying the defendant to the murders: The .45 caliber shell casing that a firearms expert claims was fired from Christian Martins gun on the back porch, Judge rules jury can hear victims cautionary statements about the defendant, Judge wont let jury hear about defendants ex-wifes bigamy charge because it was dismissed on June 1 after she completed pretrial diversion. You are using an out of date browser. Calvin was found shot in his home, and his wife. Detectives identified two of the victims as husband and wife, Cal and Pam Phillips, who are remembered by loved ones as kind and fun-loving. The two have been identified as Ed Dansereau, 63, and Pamela J. Phillips, 58, both of Pembroke, according to a news release from the Christian County Sheriff's Office. "He was my star defense witness," he said. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at Pembroke Baptist Church . Eventually, once everything asserted above got combined with the physical evidence found in the Phillips home, which further linked Christian to the matter, he was arrested on May 11, 2019. A car was smoldering and inside were the unidentified remains of two people. After the murders, he also moved from Christian County, Kentucky, and was most recently living in North Carolina, as prosecutors came across no evidence that could initially tie him to the deaths. No evidence has been presented to support Martin's claims. Years later, two of Cal and Pams family members, Matt and Diana, took Keith Morrison on a walkthrough of the scene at the Phillips house. "We believe if the jury knew that Joan Harmon and her son were subpoenaed, but refused to testify, they would have reached a different verdict," Griffiths said. "They were together all day long, and they didnt really try to hide it or anything like that.". But Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear said that after an exhaustive investigation, the evidence points to Martin as the sole killer in the brutal homicides, in which the bodies of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found in a car that had been driven into a cornfield and set on fire. The third result is Matthew Wade Phillips age 30s in Dry Ridge, KY. Copyright 2019 WAVE 3 News. State of Kentucky rests its case against Christian Martin after 36 witnesses and 6 days of testimony. The indictment comes from events that occurred either. The family was frustrated with the lack of resources to investigate the case when they went to Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear. The indictment stems from events that occurred on or about November 18, 2015, in which Calvin Phillips was found shot to death in his home located in Pembroke, Kentucky. Martin had worked for PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, for slightly more than a year when he was arrested on May 11, 2019, as he prepared to fly as first officer on a flight from Louisville to Charlotte, North Carolina. This woman had basically been milking me for eight years, and I didnt know it. Insurance Broker Phillips "had gotten me out of this huge mess. Calvin Phillips was found fatally shot at his home in Pembroke, Kentucky, Attorney General Andy Beshear said Saturday. "My father was a federal witness. Phillips told private investigators hired by Martin that he thought the pilot had stolen an Army laptop. Doug Moore, Matins defense attorney, spoke at length with Court TV about plans to appeal the ruling. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When Martin and Harmon split, she had promised him "I will ruin your career, I will ruin your life, I know how to do it," he said. Martin was always a person of. 753 likes. PEMBROKE, Ky. (WTVF) Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear announced today that a Christian County grand jury has indicted a man in connection with a 2015 triple murder. "And the concept of home, where you go for Thanksgiving or for Christmasor just to go home, this concept of home has been taken. His body was found in the cellar, the cellar doors shut and hidden by a doggie bed. The suspect, a pilot and former Army Major, was taken off a flight in handcuffs at the Louisvilles Muhammad Ali International Airport. Posted at 10:52 AM, September 2, 2021 and last updated 12:02 AM, September 3, 2021, 6/17/21 KY v. Martin: Jury Reaches Verdict in Penalty Phase, WATCH: 6/3/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Prosecution Opening Statement, 6/3/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 1, From the Bench with Judge Ashley Willcott, WATCH: 6/16/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Guilty of All Charges, WATCH: 6/15/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 8, WATCH: 6/14/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 7, WATCH: 6/10/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 6, WATCH: 6/9/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 5, WATCH: 6/8/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 4, WATCH: 6/7/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 3, WATCH: 6/4/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Day 2, WATCH: 6/3/21 Ex-Pilot Charged in Triple Murder: Defense Opening Statement, Analyst: DNA on Duct Tape Matches Lori Vallow Daybell, Testimony: Tammy Daybell Blocked Charles Vallow Email, Melani Pawlowski Seen Entering Idaho Courthouse. Martin, who has pleaded not guilty, is being held on a $3 million bond pending his June 1 trial in Elizabethtown, where the case has been moved on a change of venue. The third victim was Cal and Pams next-door neighbor, Ed Dansereau, who is remembered as a passionate pianist who loved his family. A former American Airlines pilot was found guilty Wednesday of murdering three people in Kentucky in 2015. On November 20, 2015, the SWAT team, local police officials, and military personnel swarmed and searched Christian Kit Richard Martins home in connection to the triple homicide. Diana Phillips is the sister of Calvin Phillips, who was found shot in his Pembroke home in November 2015. "We have no idea what prompted this indictment after all these years, but we feel that justice will prevail and Kit Martin will walk away an exonerated man.". Nonetheless, the Army veteran never conceded what he would say on the stands when the time came. The bodies of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found in Calvin. Prosecutors had argued Phillips was scheduled to testify against Martin in his court-martial trial two weeks after his murder. Elisha Fieldstadt is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. "Instead … the jury acted with misplaced blame disguised as justice.". Before he was found guilty in his court-martial, Martin had hired private investigators to help him build a defense. In the end, the jury did not believe the defense nor Martin's denial of killing the three neighbors. You had a loyal friend for the rest of your life.". No, Martin told a reporter, I have no worries about that.. At Martins penalty phase sentencing on September 2, 2021, the judge ruled for the jurys recommendation, sentencing Martin to life in prison without parole. Pam Phillips and Dancerau were found shot and killed in her burned vehicle down the road. LOUISVILLE, Ky. Two years after commercial airline pilot Christian Kit Martin was pulled off a jet at the Louisville airport and charged with a gruesome triple murder in western Kentucky, a jury Wednesday found him guilty and recommended he servelife in prison. The triple-slayings occurred just weeks before Calvin Phillips was scheduled to testify in Martins military court-martial. Assistant Attorney General Barbara Whaley objected to admitting the polygraph results since they are generally inadmissible at trial. Having been active community members and adored by all, their sudden passings and the circumstances surrounding it was a complete shock. But Phillips also told investigators that Harmon had never said she or her children were abused by Martin. ", "Hes served his whole life and before this had a spotless record," Martin's daughter said in her statement. "He was passed out in the road, ODd like a couple months before the murders too," Martin said. Calvin Phillips, 59, was found shot to death Nov. 18, 2015, in his home in Pembroke, a town of about 900 residents that is 10 miles southeast of Hopkinsville. Martin, an American Airlines pilot, was arrested Saturday at the Louisville International Airport as he was getting ready to board the plane. Attorney General Beshear accepted a request to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the case after he met with the family's son, Matt, nearly two years ago. The sentencing phase of the trial beganThursday morning, featuring severalmembers ofthe Phillips and Dansereau families reading victim impact statements. While this verdict in no way eases that pain, I hope that they find some peace and comfort today.". Martin claims hes innocent, saying he was home with his fiance the day the killings occurred. Ill fight for her, for my father, and Ed until the end of time because they would have for me.". According to their obituary, "Calvin Lee Phillips (59) & Pamela J Phillips (57), passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in. PEMBROKE, Ky. After finding Christian "Kit" Martin guilty of all charges, a jury recommended a sentence of life without the benefit of probation or parole. Airline pilot charged with triple-murder while at Louisville airport, was arrested Saturday at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. (Christian County Jail). Hes charged with complicity in those crimes, including murder, because investigators say they cant prove for certain that he himself carried out the killings. This was an attack not only on my family but on the entire justice system.". Matt Phillips, the son of Calvin and Pamela Phillips, saidhis parentswere "direct opposites," wiping away tears as he described their lives and looked over childhood photos featuring him and hisparents that prosecutors presented Thursday. Airline pilot charged with triple-murder while at Louisville airport, when he was arrested on May 11, 2019, as he prepared to fly as first officer on a flight from Louisville to Charlotte, North Carolina, Martin maintained that he had no motive to kill Calvin Phillips, said in an April 2016 interview with NBC affiliate WSMV. Friends and Family of Cal & Pam Phillips. Martin is being held without bond in Christian County. The following day, while detectives found Calvins remains in their shared home on South Main Street, Pamelas body was recovered from her burnt-out vehicle a few miles away, near a cornfield. Calvin's wife, Pamela Phillips, 58, and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau, 63, were also found in a nearby cornfield inside her burned-out car the next day. As per records, Christians now-ex-wife, Joan, was supposedly having an affair with Calvin, and she also had problems with Christian. "Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of these victims," Cameron said in a statement Wednesday. Cal Phillips was found shot to death in his home. A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled Sept. 2 in Hopkinsville, with Martin to remain in the custody until then. The charred remains of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found in a burnt car in a field in Pembroke. He was just sitting out there," Martin told WSMV. Martin is being held at the Christian County Detention Center without bond and is due to be arraigned May 22. Both sides deliver their closing arguments, The jury finds Martin guilty on all charges, The defendant takes the stand and denies he killed his neighbors, Martin breaks down talking about his fianc, Defense firearms expert testified the bullets that killed CP were likely not fired from the defendants Glock, A deputy who responded to the domestic call made by the defendant and Joan Harmon did not arrest Martin because he saw no evidence of violence, Defs daughter takes the witness stand to testify that her stepmother threatened to destroy her dad after he said he wanted a divorce. Hence, the fact that Calvin admitted on record that he never heard about any sexual abuse made him the star witness for Christians defense, not the prosectors. 443 South Main Street, which belongs to Calvin & Pam Phillips. Join Facebook to connect with Matt Phillips and others you may know. Now that this matter has been closed for good, though, lets find out more about the couple, along with the nitty-gritty details of the case, shall we? Calvin Lee Phillips (59) & Pamela J Phillips (57), passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Pembroke. "My private investigator went through all the allegations with him and just went down the whole line and just refuted everything. Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of these victims, Cameron said. Christian Kit Martin is accused of murdering Edward Dansereau and married couple Calvin and Pamela Phillips on November 18, 2015. Martin was still wearing his uniform when his mugshot was taken. Asked in the interview if he believed he would be charged in the killings, Martin told WSMV, "No, I have no worries about that. Calvin Phillips, 59, was found dead in his Pembroke, Kentucky, home on Nov. 19, and the remains of Dansereau and Pamela Phillips, 58, were discovered in a burned vehicle in a field. The family of Calvin and Pamela Phillips have long maintained that Martin did in fact have a motive to kill the couple. She also said prosecutors wouldshow that a shell casing found five months after the crime was conclusively shown to have been fired from a .45-caliber handgun found in a safe in Martins home across the street. Court info from 5/22/19 thru 2/25/21 reference post #93 here: 5/21/21 Update: During Fridays evidentiary hearing in Christian County Circuit Court, she testified that she & her nephew Matt were at the South Main Street home in April 2016 doing general cleaning & maintenance. It may not display this or other websites correctly. And I was like, Im golden.". Matt is Calvin's son. Judge John Atkins asked both attorneys to submit a brief with a ruling to follow before trial. Several attempts to reach Harmon for comment were unsuccessful. So police drove there to see if anyone was home. Pam had lived a couple of miles away on S. Main Street. Martin had served in the Army Reserve from 1986 to 1990, on active duty from 1990 to 1993, in the Army National Guard from 1993 to 2005 and on active duty again from 2005 until he was dismissed in August 2016. The forensic analysis reportedly shows the casing was fired from a .45 caliber Glock belonging to Martin. During Thursday's sentencing, Christian Circuit Judge John L. Atkins read off the jury's unanimous verdict and its recommendedmaximum sentence of life inprison without the possibility of parole. This undated photo provided by the Christian County Detention Center shows Christian R. Martin. "He was my star defense witness," he said. Which Republicans voted against Juneteenth? Tom Griffiths, one of Martin's attorneys, told The Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, that they "are definitely appealing" the conviction. PEMBROKE, Ky. After finding Christian Kit Martin guilty of all charges, a jury recommended a sentence of life without the benefit of probation or parole. "If you were lucky enough to form any kind of relationship with him, it meant he loved you. The arrest of Martin in Louisville was a huge relief for Phillips. Also at issue are the results of polygraph tests given to both Diana & Matt Phillips about finding the shell casing. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Christian Martin was found guilty of the murder of three neighbors on Wednesday, Calvin and Pamela Phillips were murdered in 2015, Neighbor Edward Dansereau, 63, was also murdered, Martin in court as he was convicted of the three murders on Wednesday, Ex-Army pilot guilty of killing neighbor who was having sex with his ex and 2 others to stop child rape court-martial, Americans will spend more than five years of their lives doing tasks they hate, study finds, Man finds creepy 'hidden room' in his house he never knew existed leaving viewers puzzled, Princess Diana once revealed decent men are put off by me because of all the baggage. "Weve been on a national display since earlyJune, and I believe you all have lived up to your oath as jurors," Atkins said. Defense lawyer Tom Griffiths puts one of the lead investigators on the spot about his missteps in the case, specifically: Misleading grand jury testimony about cellphone evidence, Matt Phillips, son of victims Pam and Cal Phillips, gives emotional testimony describing how he learned about his parents death. Griffiths cited Rogers vs. Commonwealth that allowed for a defendants right to present a defense to trump whether scientific evidence should be introduced at trial. "The world was robbed of a beautiful human being in my mother. He said in an interview with WSMV in April 2016 that Calvin Phillips had a long-term affair with his ex-wife that was known to everyone in town.. There were no gray areas. Investigators have yet to comment on a motive in the slayings. It was a day that would forever change a tiny southern town: November 19th, 2015. Calvin and Pamela Phillips were murdered in 2015. The indictment comes from events that occurred either on or around November 18, 2015, when Calvin Phillips was found shot to death in his Pembroke home. Christian Richard Martin, 53, faces between 20 years and life behind bars for fatally shooting Edward Dansereau and married couple Calvin and Pamela Phillips nearly six years ago. May, 2016 was convicted of 2 counts of mishandling classified materials & 2 count of assault on a child; sentenced to 6 months in jail & discharged from the military. Police were called out to a field on the edge of Pembroke, Kentucky. In April of 2016, he was interviewed by WSMV, and said he had no concern he would be held responsible for the murders because he actually needed Calvin Phillips to testify for him in an upcoming court-martial he was facing in which his ex-wife, Joan Harmon, had accused him of physical and sexual abuse and mishandling classified military materials. NCFM has an update in the case of Army Major Kit Martin about the November 2015 unsolved triple homicide in Pembroke, Kentucky. They interviewed Phillips, who said he thought Martin had stolen an Army laptop, according to tapes of the interviews obtained by WSMV. From last month: Unsettled by the call she went to her house to check found no sign of Pam but noticed her car had been moved, Defendants fianc, and her children take the witness to alibi their stepdad, Several of friends of the Phillips testify they expressed fear that Martin would kill them, Prosecutors lay out timeline of defendants whereabouts on Nov. 18, Judge permits Joan Harmon and her son Justin Elijah to invoke 5, Detective who processed crime scene collects cell phone belonging to murder victim Pam Phillips. The attorney general's officetookthe death penalty off the table in the case. This was an attack not only on my family but on the entire justice system," he said. Ex-airline pilot finally goes on trial in gruesome Kentucky triple murder, who hadtakenthe stand to defend himselfearlier, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. With this, he was found guilty as charged and sentenced to life in prison without parole on September 2, 2021. He says his family didnt know Martin had become a pilot with American Airlines.

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