Army Vet Christian Martin Accused of 2015 Pembroke, Kentucky Homicides; No Motive or Physical Evidence Produced by Authorities on Day of Arrest; Pleads Not Guilty (May 11, 2019)

Posted on May 11, 2019 by Jen Norris

The latest: Major Martin became a “person of interest” to law enforcement officials in the Fort Campbell area after several bodies were discovered Nov. 19 at two different locations not far from his Pembroke, Ky., home. One of the bodies was that of Calvin Lee Phillips, 59, a man who lived across the street from the major and was set to testify during the aforementioned military trial. Following an emergency hearing Nov. 24, a military judge ordered the trial, set to begin Dec. 1, delayed indefinitely. -Bob McCarty (Nov. 30, 2015)

Screenshot of Christian Martin’s interview with News 4 Tennessee about the Pembroke murders (April 28, 2016). Click here for raw video.

Facts:

Nov. 18, 2015: Calvin Phillips was found fatally shot in his home & the bodies of his wife Pamela Phillips & neighbor, Edward Dansereau, were found in Pam Phillips’ burned out car on Rosetown Road in Pembroke, Kentucky
April 28, 2016: Christian Martin interviewed with the local media about the Pembroke murders. He denied any involvement and was confident that he would not be accused of the crimes. He wanted to set the record straight.
May 13, 2016: Christian Martin was found guilty of two counts of mishandling of classified material & two counts of assault of a child; Martin was found not guilty on two charges of rape of a child & communicating a threat; Sentenced to three months in jail & discharged from the Army
July 11, 2018: Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear faces scrutiny for past campaign contributions; Beshear’s top deputy was accused of taking kick-backs and bribes for political donations; Republicans accused team Beshear of being corrupt; although it had been two years at the time of print, the money still had not been spent but Beshear vowed to donate any tainted contributions to Common Cause, a government watchdog group
May 10, 2019: Martin was indicted on three counts of murder; one count of arson; one count of attempted arson, burglary in the 1st degree & three counts of tampering with physical evidence; Authorities have not given a motive or said what led them to believe Martin was responsible
May 21, 2019: Attorney General Andy Beshear wins the Democratic primary for Kentucky governor
May 22, 2019: At arraignment, Christian Martin pleads not guilty; the State of Kentucky AG is holding him in jail with no bond and threatening the death penalty

“The Christian County Sherriff’s Department tells FOX 17 that both Major Martin and [Joan] Harmon are persons of interest in the triple murder that happened in Pembroke back in November. The department says it has interviewed Harmon twice about the murders and what she knows. However, the department refuses to say she’s a suspect.” –Fox 17 Nashville (May 11, 2016)

In the News (2019):

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Arrests and charges are accusations by legal authorities until a suspect is convicted of the crime.

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Fear Thy Neighbor – The Pembroke Murders Investigation -WSMV (June 25, 2019)

The Murder Of A Federal Witness : A News4 Special -WSMV (June 30, 2019)

In May when the Kentucky Attorney General arrested Christian “Kit” Martin for the murders of three people in Pembroke, Kentucky, he offered no clues on what new evidence led to the arrest. -Fox Nashville (July 26, 2019)

A love triangle and financial ruin: Who had the motive to murder in Pembroke? Part 2 -Fox Nashville (July 26, 2019)

Timeline of Events

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2015:
NCFM sends letter to Secretary of Defense about the wrongful persecution of Major Christian “Kit” Martin
Army Major Questioned in Pembroke Murders
Nashville’s Fox 17 Omits Key Details From News Reports About Army Officer Caught Up In Murder Investigation
Man found dead inside Ky. home was witness in court-martial case
Man found dead was to be witness in court-martial case
Home, Cars of Fort Campbell Army Major Searched in Connection to Ky. Murders
Major Martin 9-2-15 Interview with Updates (November 30, 2015)
Attorney Cites ‘Foul Smell in the Air’ Surrounding Effort to Link Army Officer to Multiple Murders Near Fort Campbell
Computer custody questioned in sex assault hearing
Law-and-Order Veterans ‘Smell A Rat’ at Fort Campbell
Officials Identify Gunshot Victim Found Inside Home While Facebook Comments About Case Appear and Disappear
NCFM asks DoD Inspector General for Referral to U.S. Attorney General for Criminal Probe of JAG Prosecutors in the Case of U.S. Army Major Christian “Kit” Martin, then there’s the triple murder…
NCFM used in triple murder case article linked to the Army’s persecution of Major Martin

2016:
Kit Martin interview with Channel 4 I-Team about Pembroke murders
Recording of victim 2 weeks before murders reveals connections to person of interest
Witnesses say Army major physically, sexually abused them
Minors take stand in court-martial of Army major to accuse of sex abuse
Family of Fort Campbell Army Major says he’s Innocent in Triple Murder Case
Army major found not guilty of sexual assault charges
Major Christian “Kit” Martin is acquitted of child sex abuse
NCFM update, Major Christian “Kit” Martin Dodges a Bullet in Courts-Martial at Fort Campbell – Is Acquitted of Child Sex Abuse Charges
Ft. Campbell Army Major Found Guilty of Assault on a Child
Court-martialed Army major found guilty, sentenced
NCFM update in the False Accusation and Wrongful Conviction Case of Army Major “Kit” Martin
U.S. Army Major Christian “Kit” Martin: The Wrongful Conviction of an American Hero
Triple Murder, False Rape Allegations and the corruption of both a police department and the U.S. Army
False Accusation and Wrongful Conviction Case of Army Major “Kit” Martin
Police still seeking info in Pembroke triple-murder
Police still seeking info in Pembroke triple-murder

2017:
Family offers $100K reward for information on Pembroke triple murder
$100K reward offered in deaths of Ky. couple found in burned car
$100,000 Reward In Triple Homicide

2018:
Three Year Anniversary Of Unsolved Pembroke Triple Murders

Christian Richard Martin is facing several charges, in Christian County, Ky., including murder and arson. Martin moved from Kentucky to North Carolina after the murders, the Attorney General’s Office said. -WFMY News 2 (May 11, 2019)

2019 (Arrest):
NCFM Member ‘Kit Martin’ Indicted for Murder in Kentucky
Beshear: Man Indicted for 2015 Christian County Triple Murder
Kentucky AG indicts man of 3 counts of murders in 2015
Pilot With NC Ties Indicted In 2015 Triple Murder
Man indicted for 2015 Pembroke, Kentucky murders
Man indicted for 2015 Christian County triple murder
Man Arrested In 2015 Triple Slaying In Christian County
Christian R. Martin Indicted for 2015 Christian County Triple Murder
Pembroke Triple Murder Suspect A Pilot For American Airlines
Pilot accused of 2015 triple murder in Western Kentucky arrested at Louisville airport
Pilot arrested at Louisville airport, indicted for 2015 triple murder
American Airlines pilot arrested at Louisville airport for 2015 triple homicide
Airline pilot charged with killing 3 in Kentucky in 2015
Airline pilot arrested, charged in connection with 2015 triple murder in Kentucky
Airline pilot faces murder and arson charges in 2015 triple slaying in Kentucky
Two bodies in a burned car, another shot in his home. Years later, a former neighbor is indicted.
Christian Co. Grand Jury Unseals Triple Murder Indictment Friday
Man Indicted for 2015 Christian County Triple Murder: After meeting with family members two years ago Beshear’s office took over the case (May 11, 2019 Tweet)
Past defense attorney for Army Major indicted in triple murder says he’s innocent
Former Army Major indicted in triple murder, past attorney says he’s innocent

Man Indicted for 2015 Christian County Triple Murder: After meeting with family members two years ago Beshear’s office took over the case – https://t.co/m5iIIRhg2n pic.twitter.com/6iZoUVLqGn

— KY Attorney General (@kyoag) May 11, 2019

2019 (Arraignment):
Arraignment Set For Pilot Charged In 3 Killings In Christian County
Arraignment set for pilot charged in 3 killings in Kentucky
Martin arraigned in court for Pembroke murders
Pembroke triple homicide suspect entered not guilty plea at arraignment
Pilot arrested at Louisville airport pleads not guilty in triple murder case
Christian Martin, pilot arrested in triple murder, pleads not guilty
Raleigh pilot Christian Martin charged with triple murder pleads not guilty
Airplane pilot pleads not guilty in Kentucky triple murder case
Pilot charged in Kentucky triple slaying pleads not guilty
Pilot arrested at Louisville airport pleads not guilty in triple murder case
Pilot arrested at Louisville airport pleads not guilty in triple murder case
Commercial pilot pleads not guilty to 2015 triple murder charges
American Airlines Pilot Pleads Not Guilty To Murder
American Airlines pilot pleads NOT guilty to the 2015 murders of three people
Fiancee of commercial pilot charged in Kentucky triple homicide says he’s ‘100 percent innocent’
Dad died over evidence he gave Army, victim’s son says after pilot’s arrest in triple homicide
Pilot accused of triple murder claimed in interview one victim had affair with his ‘bigamist’ ex-wife
Neighbors relieved after suspect arrested in 2015 Christian County murders
‘Monster’ in the Cockpit: Inside the Crazy Case of the American Airlines Pilot Accused of Triple Murder
Kentucky town hopes for closure as pilot returns to face triple murder charges
‘Scars the community’ Pilot, former Army major held without bond in triple Kentucky murder
Who Is Christian Martin? New Details On The Army Major Turned Airline Pilot Arrested For Triple Murder
Christian Martin: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Pilot accused in 2015 triple homicide could face death penalty
Update: Man Indicted For 2015 Christian Co. Triple Murder Could Face Death, Held Without Bond

The Generation Why Podcast Featured the Suspicious Death of Army Pfc. LaVena Johnson in Balad, Iraq: Was It Suicide or Murder? (November 19, 2017)

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Jen Norris

The Generation Why Podcast

“Death of LaVena Johnson. July 19, 2005. Balad, Iraq. Nineteen years of age and recently deployed to Iraq, LaVena Johnson had everything going for her. A great education, determination, goals, and a great family. In letters and calls to home, she seemed quite candid about conditions there, both the good and the bad, but was also looking forward to being home for Christmas. On July 19th, though, a grim discovery was made. LaVena was found in a contractor’s tent, dead from an apparent gunshot wound to her head. An aerosol can was used to burn printed emails from a recent boyfriend. The Army ruled her death a suicide. Upset over the recent breakup with her boyfriend she must have hit her breaking point. The first autopsy didn’t really find anything to question this as a suicide. The Johnson family had her exhumed and two additional autopsies would make some startling discoveries. LaVena Johnson had suffered a broken nose, loose teeth, a black eye, and chemical burns on her genitals just to name a few. The Johnson family never believed that LaVena would take her own life and despite the questions surrounding her death, no one seems to want to go beyond saying that this case is ‘inconclusive’. Join us for a difficult discussion of losing a loved one under mysterious circumstances, not getting answers from investigators, and the possible reasons for why LaVena Johnson died back in 2005 in Iraq.” –Death of LaVena Johnson, The Generation Why Podcast (November 19, 2017)

Army Spc. Darius Cooper Swept Away in Floodwater Crossing at Fort Hood; Body Never Recovered, Military Board Ruled Deceased 2 Months Later (April 11, 2017)

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Jen Norris

Spc. Darius Cooper, U.S. Army

On June 16, 2017, Fort Hood published a press release indicating the Fort Hood Fire and Rescue teams were unsuccessful in locating Army Spc. Darius Cooper, who was swept away in flooding waters at Clear Creek near Turkey Run Road on Fort Hood just before 6 a.m. on April 11, 2017. The press release informed the public that the Army appointed a board of inquiry (per Army Regulation 638-8, Army Casualty Program, and Department of Defense Instruction 2310.05, Accounting for Missing Persons) to conduct a status determination and ruled that Spc. Cooper was deceased, his official date of death was April 11, 2017. Spc. Cooper, 40, listed San Antonio, Texas as his home of record and he entered active-duty service in June 2008 as a culinary specialist. At the time of his death, Spc. Cooper was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood in Texas since June 2016. Spc. Cooper deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. As of 2019, Spc. Cooper’s body has not been located, therefore he is still missing despite the status of determination ruling.

“More than 800 individuals were involved in the search, including emergency responders from Texas Task Force One boat and dog teams, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Texas Game Warden’s lake search teams, Morgan’s Point Resort Police Department dive and sonar search teams, Fort Hood’s Crisis Response Battalion ground search teams, and 1st Air Cavalry Brigade helicopter assets who aided in the search.” -Fort Hood Press Center (June 16, 2017)

Timeline of Events:

April 11, 2017

Emergency crews respond to vehicles caught in high water (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 1: All Fort Hood low-water crossings, Old Georgetown Road remain closed (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 2: Driver’s vehicle recovered without driver inside (Fort Hood Press Center)

April 12, 2017

UPDATE 3: Texas’ Task Force One joins the search for missing person in Clear Creek (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 4: Updated photos and Broll of the April 12 ongoing search efforts (Fort Hood Press Center)

April 13, 2017

UPDATE 5: Search and rescue teams increased their effort to find the missing individual April 13, as water levels reduced allowing teams access to more locations. (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 6: Search team officials conduct media engagement (Fort Hood Press Center)

April 19, 2017

UPDATE 7: Deliberate search continues for missing individual (Fort Hood Press Center)

May 11, 2017

UPDATE 8: Deliberate search continues for missing Soldier (Fort Hood Press Center)

June 15, 2017

Soldier swept away at Fort Hood crossing declared dead (KWTX)
Ft. Hood declares missing soldier swept away in floodwaters dead (KXAN)
Fort Hood soldier missing since April declared dead by Army (WFAA)
Fort Hood calls off search, releases name of soldier who died in April 11 flash flood (Killeen Daily Herald)
Fort Hood soldier lost during April floods determined deceased (Statesman)
Fort Hood declares missing soldier deceased, release identity (CBS Austin)
Army: Fort Hood soldier determined dead after being swept away by flood waters (Army Times)

June 16, 2017

UPDATE 9: Fort Hood Soldier lost in April 11 flash flood determined deceased (Fort Hood Press Center)
Fort Hood Officials Declare Missing Soldier Dead (CBS DFW)
Soldier Swept Away By Flood Waters Pronounced Dead (KTEM)

Army Pvt. Matthew Brown Died As a Result of a Non-Combat Related Incident in Afghanistan; Death Ruled Suicide But Family Alleges Murder in Vanity Fair Publication (May 11, 2008)

Posted on May 11, 2008 by Jen Norris

Pvt. Matthew Brown, U.S. Army (photo: Vanity Fair)

Army Pvt. Matthew W. Brown, 20, of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, died May 11, 2008 in Asadabad, Afghanistan from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. Pvt. Brown was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the time of the incident, the Department of Defense announced Pvt. Brown’s death was under investigation. On January 8, 2019, the family alleged Matthew was murdered in a Vanity Fair publication titled “Leave No Soldier Behind”: The Unsolved Mystery of the Soldier Who Died in the Watchtower.

Warner Bros. Premiered ‘In the Valley of Elah’: Based on the True Story of the Murder of Fort Benning Army Spc. Richard T. Davis (September 14, 2007)

Posted on September 14, 2007 by Jen Norris

“In the Valley of Elah” tells the story of a war veteran (Tommy Lee Jones), his wife (Susan Sarandon) and the search for their son, a soldier who recently returned from Iraq but has mysteriously gone missing, and the police detective (Charlize Theron) who helps in the investigation. -Warner Bros. (September 14, 2007)

“Your son is missing.” It’s the phone call every soldier’s father dreads. Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) had never thought that this call would come whilst his son was in the U.S., home from serving in Baghdad. Facing military indifference to the disappearance, Hank takes matters into his own hands. -YouTube (March 20, 2014)

“Desperate to solve the mystery behind their son’s disappearance, his father, also a war Veteran, and mother seek the help of seasoned police detective to uncover his true fate.” –In the Valley of Elah, Warner Bros.

Fort Drum Army Pfc. Gary Kalinofski Died of a Non-Hostile Gunshot Wound at Camp Magrath While on a Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo (March 4, 2002)

Posted on March 4, 2002 by Jen Norris

Army Pfc. Gary S. Kalinofski, 21, died of a gunshot wound at Camp Magrath near Pristina, Kosovo on March 4, 2002. The military casualty announcement confirmed the gunshot wound was not a result of engagement with hostile forces. Pfc. Kalinofski’s home of record was listed as Fayetteville, North Carolina. Pfc. Kalinofski served in Kosovo since November 2001 in a peacekeeping mission role on behalf of A Company, Task Force 1-32nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Drum, New York. According to the book Army Wives by Tanya Biank, the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) ruled that Pfc. Gary Kalinofski died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Gary was survived by his parents; his dad also served in the Army and was in Kosovo at the time Gary took his own life. The Army Wives author shared that Gary’s parents were interviewed by Army CID but they didn’t have any insight or knowledge to help Army CID understand why Gary chose to die by suicide.

Editor’s Note: There was no Department of Defense press release for the announcement of the death of Army casualty Pfc. Gary S. Kalinofski in Kosovo.

Army Spc. Darlene Krashoc Raped & Murdered in Colorado Springs; DNA Match Leads to Arrest of Michael Whyte (March 17, 1987)

Posted on March 17, 1987 by Jen Norris

Spc. Darlene Krashoc, U.S. Army

Information via The Gazette:

The victim: Darlene Krashoc, 20, a soldier at Fort Carson who worked as a mechanic at the Army post.

The Crime: Two Colorado Springs police officers on routine patrol spotted a partially nude woman laying in the parking lot behind the Korean Restaurant, a nightclub formerly at 2710 S. Academy Blvd., around 5:20 a.m. on March 17, 1987. An autopsy determined that Krashoc had been strangled with a coat hanger and leather thongs after being severely beaten, bitten, sexually assaulted. She may also have been thrown from a moving vehicle.

The investigation: Krashoc’s mother, Betty, last spoke with her daughter a week before her death. Krashoc had changed from a soldier ready to re-enlist to a frightened woman ready to go AWOL to get away from Fort Carson, but wouldn’t tell her mother why.

Colorado Springs Police Department considers a case to be cold if it remains unsolved for more than one year. If you have information that would be of assistance in these investigations, please contact 719-444-7613, by e-mail at CSPDColdCase@springsgov.com or you may remain anonymous and could earn a cash reward by calling Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP (7867). –The Gazette

Thirty years after Krashoc’s body was found, Army Criminal Investigation Command are offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who can lead them to the man they believe killed Darlene Krashoc. If you have any information about the investigation or if the DNA prediction results resemble someone you know or knew at the time, you’re asked to contact your local CID office or CID headquarters in Virginia at (844) Army CID or (571) 305-4375. You can also email army.CID.crime.tips@mail.mil.

UPDATE: 32 years after a young woman’s killing in Colorado Springs, a suspect is in custody (June 14, 2019)

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

No affiliation with the Department of Defense or any of the Armed Forces.

Tag Archives: Army CID

Army Vet Christian Martin Accused of 2015 Pembroke, Kentucky Homicides; No Motive or Physical Evidence Produced by Authorities on Day of Arrest; Pleads Not Guilty (May 11, 2019)

Army Spc. Darius Cooper Swept Away in Floodwater Crossing at Fort Hood; Body Never Recovered, Military Board Ruled Deceased 2 Months Later (April 11, 2017)

Warner Bros. Premiered ‘In the Valley of Elah’: Based on the True Story of the Murder of Fort Benning Army Spc. Richard T. Davis (September 14, 2007)

Fort Drum Army Pfc. Gary Kalinofski Died of a Non-Hostile Gunshot Wound at Camp Magrath While on a Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo (March 4, 2002)

Army Spc. Darlene Krashoc Raped & Murdered in Colorado Springs; DNA Match Leads to Arrest of Michael Whyte (March 17, 1987)