One of the most shocking storylines on Dateline is one that explores the case of an ex-American Airlines pilot, Christian “Kit” Martin, who was convicted of triple murder.
In 2015, Martin, a former military soldier and airline pilot, who was a US Army Major, was found guilty of the murders of three of his neighbors in Pembroke, Kentucky. This horrific case, which was featured on Dateline, involves years of legal fights, claims of framing, and extreme violence.
The first episode of season 30, premiered on September 24, 2021, and was titled The Evil that Watches.
The summary of the episode reads:
"When three people are found dead, on the same day, in a Kentucky town, investigators know that it isn't a coincidence; years pass before there's an arrest, as the case continues to divide the community."
The Evil that Watches on Dateline: What crimes did Kit Martin commit?
Calvin Phillips had a particularly complicated relationship with Martin, and the three victims in this case—Calvin and Pamela Phillips and their neighbor Edward Dansereau—were acquaintances and colleagues of Martin.
Calvin had earlier denounced Martin to the FBI after discovering confidential military material on his gadgets. This eventually led to a court-martial in which Martin was charged with child abuse and improper handling of classified material.
Joan Harmon who was Martin's ex-wife, added credibility to the claims by claiming that she had been abused physically and emotionally. Calvin Phillips told the authorities about these findings, which led to rumors that he may have carried out the killings to keep Calvin from testifying in his military case.
In November 2015, Calvin Phillips was discovered dead in his basement, while Pamela Phillips and Edward Dansereau were found in a nearby field inside a burning car. Both had been fatally shot. Investigations revealed that all three victims were shot with the same type of firearm, and key evidence—including a shell casing—was later tied to Martin’s gun collection.
This connection, among other physical evidence, eventually led to Martin’s 2019 arrest, despite his claims that his ex-wife had planted the casing to frame him.
Trial and sentencing
Throughout his trial, Martin maintained his innocence, insisting that the evidence had been fabricated by his ex-wife, who allegedly wanted to see his reputation and career destroyed, as described in the Dateline episode.
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This defense, however, was not enough to convince the jury. In 2023, Kit Martin was convicted of three counts of murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Martin’s trial highlighted complex family dynamics, allegations of a setup, and years of hostility and tension between him and his accusers.
Kit Martin’s story, chronicled in the Dateline episode, is a haunting tale of personal downfall marked by violence and a desperate attempt to escape consequences. His conviction has brought some closure to the victims’ families, though the dark details of the case continue to fascinate true crime audiences through portrayals like the Dateline episode.
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