Prosecutors Plumber helped plan Deerfield break-in, robbery

By JAMES A. KIMBLE Union Leader Correspondent

BRENTWOOD A plumber who allegedly provided the layout of a Deerfield home to accomplices who stole $20,000 in cash and a box of silver was described by prosecutors as a key participant to the break-in who never set foot in the home during the heist.

Prosecutors said Christopher Martin, 40, of Danbury, formed a plan with two others to carry out the June 29, 2011, burglary so a large safe could be raided for money and an assortment of valuables.

"He came up with the perfect score. It was a perfect target," Assistant County Attorney Michael Zaino said during opening arguments in Rockingham County Superior Court.

Martin is facing charges of conspiracy to commit burglary and acting as an accomplice to Jacob Palo, 37, of Concord and his girlfriend Sherri Avnet, 34, of Manchester, who were both convicted for their roles in the case.

Defense lawyer Michael Anderson described Martin as a successful businessman, a family man and longtime friend of the victim, Dr. Arthur Cutter.

Anderson said his client had nothing to gain by participating in the burglary.

"The real actors have already been convicted," Anderson said. "This is just a case of taking somebody down with him."

Palo stormed into Cutter's house sometime around 6:30 p.m., and brutally beat the local veterinarian before directing him to the safe in his bedroom. Palo is serving a 20 to 40 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a litany of charges, including first-degree assault.

Cutter testified on Tuesday that he first thought the man at his front door was a client from his veterinarian business that he had forgotten to take care of earlier in the day.

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Prosecutors Plumber helped plan Deerfield break-in, robbery