Tom and Molly Martens are to be released from prison in the US later today, having completed the remainder of their sentences for the manslaughter of Limerick businessman Jason Corbett.
The father and daughter agreed a plea bargain with prosecutors in North Carolina last autumn, under which they accepted manslaughter charges in return for prosecutors dropping murder charges in the case.
Molly Martens Corbett is due to be released from the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh around lunchtime Irish time.
Some two hours later her father, Tom Martens, a former FBI agent, is expected to walk out of Caldwell Correctional Center in Lenoir, in the West of the State.
Jason Corbett’s family in Limerick said they are deeply disappointed at what is to unfold today. In a statement to RTÉ News, the family said: “As Jason’s family, we vow to tirelessly uphold his honourable legacy and seek justice to preserve his memory.
“Amidst this sombre occasion, we draw solace from witnessing Jack and Sarah, the remarkable children Jason left behind, blossom into exceptional individuals he would undoubtedly be proud of.
“Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the unwavering support from the communities of Davidson County in North Carolina and Limerick in Ireland, who stood by our side throughout this harrowing ordeal that no family should endure.
“We remain resolute in our pursuit of truth, justice, and the protection of Jason’s cherished memory.”
Jason Corbett’s daughter Sarah is currently sitting her Leaving Certificate examinations.
Last November, Molly Martens Corbett and Tom Martens were sentenced to a minimum of four years and three months for the voluntary manslaughter of 39-year-old Jason Corbett in 2015.
The limerick business executive had first met Molly Martens when she travelled to Ireland to care for his two children after the death of his first wife.
The two developed a relationship, married and moved to the United States, settling near Lexington, North Carolina, close to Mr Corbett’s work.
Jason Corbett found dead at family home in August 2015
When emergency services were called to the family home in August 2015, they found Mr Corbett dead, beaten with a baseball bat and a paving brick.
Tom and Molly Martens were convicted of murder in 2017 but appealed the conviction, which was later quashed. They were released on bail pending a retrial.
But they agreed a plea deal with Davidson County’s District Attorney, who accepted a plea of guilty to voluntary manslaughter in return for dropping murder charges.
They were sentenced to a minimum of four years and three months in prison at a hearing last November – but that sentence was to include time already served.
Tom Martens’ lawyer, Jay Vannoy, predicted then the pair would serve just seven months extra, and that has proven to be the case.
A mix-up by the local and state prison authorities almost saw the pair released last December, just weeks after sentencing.
A public outcry followed and the pair were transferred to state prisons to complete the remainder of their sentences.
They were expected to be released at the end of this month, but a further recalculation of the sentences and the time already served reduced the term slightly, and today was set as their definitive release date.
At sentencing last November, Judge David Hall directed that Molly Martens undergo psychiatric and psychological evaluation by prison medical authorities and be given all appropriate medical supports whilst in prison.
North Carolina’s prison authorities told RTÉ News they always follow a judge’s instructions, but could not discuss individual cases due to state and federal medical privacy laws.
Tom and Molly Martens will be subject to one year of post-release supervision by probation services, but they are not required to reside in the state of North Carolina, which has reciprocal probation monitoring arrangements with other US states.
As convicted felons, they are not allowed to reside at the same address. Tom Martens’ family home is in Knoxville in Tennessee.
