One of my goals in making regular posts related to my current book project is to provide new information. On my recent visit to the Pembroke area, I had a chance to interview Lisa Petrie. You may remember that Lisa Petrie testified at trial. She had been a supervisor of Joan’s at the Soda Shop where Joan had been working at the time of the murders. Joan’s behavior after the murders, along with some statements Joan made, led Lisa to call lead investigator Scott Smith eight days after the murders to let him know about her concerns.
The jury never got to hear what comments Joan had made that caused Lisa’s concern because of a hearsay objection. I can tell you now that some comments were made that only someone involved in the murders would know. I’d love to share what those comments were, but the information is so sensitive, and still being investigated, that they could still play a role should Kit be granted a new trial. For that reason, I can not share all that was said.
I can, however, share another story I first heard from Lisa Petrie. This story involves another murder, this one occurred just five months before the triple homicide.
Early on the morning of June 28, 2015, an Amish couple were brutally attacked at their residence on Old Trenton Road in Guthrie, Kentucky. Joan had been renting a property from the Yoders. They operated a large farm. 79-year-old Amos Yoder died from his injuries. His wife, Marjorie, sustained serious injuries that left her brain damaged. The motive is thought to have been robbery.
Joan talked about the murders to her co-workers. She described the Yoders as being like grandparents to her kids. Over the following weeks, Joan seemed to come into a windfall of sorts. She bragged about new furniture and a car she had purchased. She showed up to work in new outfits. When asked where the money had come from for the expensive purchases, Joan said that her mom had sent her the money. The Yoder attack and murder are still unsolved.
In the clip below, Lisa explains why she called the police after the triple homicide. She also talks about the Yoder murder.
This is all very interesting information. You have done your homework for your book, but also for Kit. I know that when you started this project that you did not “have a dog in this fight”. Your search for the truth has been without bias. Like you, I started my search for the truth not really knowing whether he was innocent or guilty. This has been a very sad and intentional miscarriage of justice. Det. Smith gives law enforcement a very bad name. Lisa Petrie has always had a story to tell, but she was cut off early on. Why Joan has been protected by so many is a mystery to me, but there is a reason. I believe that Matt and his Aunt Diana feel like they “have their man”. After it is all said and done, they have the wrong man. They have taken someone who just wanted to live peacefully in the community of Pembroke and make his mark in the United State Army. He was living the American Dream until it became a nightmare. Kit has elderly parents, in their 80’s who are devastated. He has sisters, a fiance, and kids and grandkids who are missing out because this crime was mis solved. I believe that Emilio will not only write a blockbuster book, I believe he will solve this case in the process. Great job Emilio! I am so proud of your work.