#563 - The Major Murders - Pembroke, Kentucky - Small Town Murder

Transcript

James Petragalo (0:02)

Hey, everybody. Just gonna take a quick break from the show to tell you a little bit about Shutterfly. If you're like us, you take a lot of pictures because you have a camera right in your hand all the time. How would you not take a lot of pictures? And we're taking all these pictures more than we've ever taken in the history of the world. But it's, that's the thing. You used to get a solid picture and then you'd look through them and you could enjoy them. Now they're like back on your camera roll. You can't even find them. You don't want that. That's why the cool thing you need to do and what I did, and I think it's pretty cool, is create a shutter photo book. Oh, what I did. And you're gonna enjoy this, Jimmy, because I haven't showed this to you yet, but took all of our pictures from being on tour this year, all live show pictures, us backstage, us on doing all that stuff and like some of the just the venues and things and made a little photo book out of that. Also, they have free 24 hour designer service as well. With their 24 hour designer service, a professional designer is gonna lay out the book for you for free in just a day. Make something that means something with Shutterfly. Enjoy. 40% off orders over $29 with promo code Smalltown C site for promotional details.

Jimmy Whisman (1:10)

And now back to the show. Ready to prioritize yourself in the new year.

James Petragalo (1:14)

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Jimmy Whisman (1:17)

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James Petragalo (1:19)

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Summary

Small Town Murder: Episode #563 - The Major Murders - Pembroke, Kentucky

Release Date: January 23, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #563 of Small Town Murder, hosts James Pietragallo and Jimmy Whisman delve into a chilling case from Pembroke, Kentucky—a small town plagued by a brutal triple murder. Combining meticulous research with their signature comedic flair, James and Jimmy navigate the intricate details of the case, exploring the town's dynamics, the accused's background, and the ensuing legal battle.

Background of Pembroke, Kentucky

Pembroke, Kentucky, a quaint town with a population under one thousand, serves as the unsettling backdrop for this murder mystery. Established in 1836 and named after a fictional character from Jane Porter's novel, Pembroke is characterized by its predominantly white demographic (78.5% White, 18.2% Black) and a strong Baptist presence (33.8%). The town boasts a median household income of $72,798 and reasonably affordable housing, with the median home price at $217,700 [12:00].

Who is Christian "Kit" Martin?

Christian Richard Martin, known as Kit, is at the center of the Pembroke murders. Born in 1968 into a military family, Kit's upbringing was steeped in military tradition, with his father serving a 30-year tenure in the Air Force and his sister also retiring from the Air Force after two decades [21:37]. Kit attended the University of Nebraska through an ROTC scholarship and later pursued a career in the Army Reserves, eventually completing Ranger School [25:49].

Kit's Personal Life and Relationships

Kit married Stacy in May 1991, and they had their first child, Megan, in December 1992 [31:21]. The couple moved frequently due to military assignments, settling in various locations, including Fort Lewis, Washington, and later Rhode Island for Kit's master's degree in National Defense from the Navy War College. In 2004, amidst financial strains and mounting personal issues, Stacy filed for divorce [42:44].

Shortly after the divorce, Kit began a relationship with Joan Harmon Guerra, who was already married to Carlos Guerra, making her a bigamist. Joan brought her three children into the relationship, leading to complex family dynamics and mutual accusations of abuse [46:33].

The Accusations and Abuse Claims

Joan accused Kit of severe abuse towards her children, including physical violence and inappropriate behavior. Instances cited include:

Beating his stepson Elijah with a belt and bamboo stick after a porta potty incident [70:15].
Holding his stepdaughter Alma by the foot and dangling her off a balcony [80:42].
Performing nude baths with his daughters, allegedly to acclimate them to European norms [79:20].

On the other hand, Kit claims that these accusations were fabricated by Joan to tarnish his military career and secure a favorable court-martial outcome [97:02].

The Murders

On November 18, 2015, the bodies of Cal and Pam Phillips, neighbor to Kit and Joan, along with their friend Ed Denzero, were discovered in a burnt vehicle on Cal's farm. Cal was found dead in the basement with signs of both gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma, while Pam and Ed were identified as murder victims consumed by fire [99:36].

Investigation and Evidence

Initial investigations were hampered by inconclusive forensic evidence. Key pieces included:

A .22 caliber shell casing found near the homes of Cal and Pam, linked to Kit's Glock 45 through inconclusive ballistics testing [124:31].
Dog tags with Kit's name found on a bookshelf next to the victims' belongings, though Kit denied ownership [175:08].
Blood evidence inconsistent with Kit, leading to theories of an alternate perpetrator, possibly orchestrated by Joan [122:08].

Despite the lack of concrete evidence initially, mounting circumstantial factors and testimonies from stepchildren began to paint a damning picture against Kit.

The Trial and Court-Martial

Kit Martin faced a court-martial for mishandling classified information and later for the murders. The defense argued that Joan Harmon orchestrated the murders to frame Kit, presenting evidence such as:

Joan's continued relationship with Cal Phillips despite being married to Carlos Guerra.
Financial gains and lifestyle changes in Joan's life post-murders, suggesting a motive for her actions [141:25].

The prosecution countered with testimonies from Kit's stepchildren, highlighting his abusive behavior and the improbability of someone else committing the murders without leaving substantial evidence.

Verdict and Sentencing

After intense deliberations, the court found Kit Martin guilty of all charges, including murder, arson, burglary, and tampering with evidence. He received three life sentences without the possibility of parole, effectively ending his military career and freedom [159:38].

Post-Trial Developments

Following his conviction, Kit attempted to maintain connections, reaching out to his family to retrieve evidence that could exonerate him. However, efforts to uncover further evidence were unsuccessful, leading to unanswered questions about potential additional perpetrators or conspiracies within the small community [167:12].

Conclusion

The Pembroke, Kentucky murders remain a haunting example of how personal vendettas and complex relationships can culminate in tragic outcomes. Hosts James Pietragallo and Jimmy Whisman provide a thorough exploration of the case, intertwining factual recounting with their comedic take on the dark realities of small-town life. The episode underscores the devastating impact of unresolved abuse and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of community skepticism.

Notable Quotes

James Pietragallo [09:01]: "This town was settled in 1836 and named for someone who does not exist."
Jimmy Whisman [12:05]: "Median household income here is $72,798, which is not bad at all."
James Pietragallo [25:49]: "He signed up for the army reserves at age 17 and later pursued flight training."
Jimmy Whisman [43:44]: "One of the first women to contact him back was a woman named Joan."
James Pietragalo [70:16]: "If my kid knocked over a porta potty, I'd be like, you fuckers are picking that up."
Jimmy Whisman [84:57]: "They're tortured a lot."
James Pietragalo [154:29]: "He is disgracing the image of me."
Jimmy Whisman [177:06]: "This week's executive producers are Andrew Newman, Mark and Chrissy Such, and others."

Final Thoughts

Small Town Murder Episode #563 offers a gripping narrative of the Major Murders in Pembroke, Kentucky, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the case's complexities. Through detailed examination and engaging dialogue, James and Jimmy shed light on the dark underbelly of a seemingly peaceful small town, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of personal turmoil and unchecked abuse.

For more information or to engage with the hosts, visit shutupandgivemerder.com and explore their live shows and additional content on Patreon at patreon.com/CrimeInSports.