Lexington Dispatch August 8th
Jury begins deliberation in Corbett case
After Superior Court Judge David Lee gave specific instructions Tuesday afternoon, 12 jurors were sent to the deliberating room to decide the fate of Thomas Martens and Molly Corbett.
The jury began deliberating at approximately 3:30 p.m. Court adjourned at 5 p.m., but the jurors will continue their discussions Wednesday morning. The jury will have to consider over 20 witness testimonies and 200 pieces of evidence. The jury will reach separate verdicts for Martens and Corbett. The jurors will decide between second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter or not guilty. This beginning of deliberation came after three-and-a-half hours of closing arguments by both sides in the morning
Irish Daily Mail January 9th 2017
‘Praying for justice’ – Limerick stands in solidarity as Corbetts await verdict
THE parents of Jason Corbett, who was beaten to death in his North Carolina home, have said they are praying for justice for their son.
Mr Corbett, 39, died from catastrophic head injuries on August 2, 2015, after he was struck a number of times with a metal baseball bat and a stone garden paving slab.
His wife, Molly Martens Corbett, and her father, retired FBI agent Thomas Martens, are both on trial in Lexington, North Carolina, charged with second-degree murder.
As the trial jury began considering its verdict in the US, Mr Corbett’s heartbroken parents John and Rita Corbett, attended a special mass in Limerick, commemorating the second anniversary of their son’s death. The mass was broadcast live online and members of the Corbett family attending proceedings in Lexington were said to be tuning into the emotional gathering.
Speaking outside St John’s Cathedral, an emotional Rita Corbett,76, said: ‘It’s been a nightmare.
‘No one could understand this, unless they’ve lost their own children. ‘It’s heartbreaking. ‘It’s hard to pick yourself up again, I can tell you.’ Ms Corbett said she and her husband were hoping for guilty verdicts in the trial. Definitely, we are hoping for justice, that’s it,’ she added.
Standing at his wife’s side, John Corbett, 81, said he was feeling ‘very down’.
He said they were hoping their children and loved ones, who were attending proceedings in the US, would ‘get back home (soon)…‘That’s the whole thing, get the lads back home, out of it,’ he added.
Rita Corbett said she hoped her family could ‘grieve in comfort’ once the trial ended.
She added: ‘We’ll never move on, to be honest, never, never.’ The mother described as ‘too horrible’ her son’s killing, as well as the gruesome details surrounding his death, which were heard during evidence at the trial in Lexington. ‘It was like a nightmare,’ she added.
Ms Corbett thanked those who have supported the Corbett family through their ongoing ordeal.
‘I’ll tell you this, the Limerick people are great people. ‘When you need them they’re there,’ she added.
Pauline Corbett, Jason Corbett’s sister-in-law, also thanked the large crowd that came out to attend last night’s Mass. She said: ‘The support is overwhelming from everyone here.
‘You couldn’t ask for more, they’re great people.’
Independent.ie August 9th 2017
'It's been a nightmare, we'll never move on,' say Jason's parents - who are 'praying for justice'
Last night, Mr Corbett's heartbroken parents John and Rita attended a special Mass in Limerick, commemorating the second anniversary of their son's death. Speaking outside St John's Cathedral, Mr Corbett's 76-year old mother said: "It's been a nightmare. No one could understand this, unless they've lost their own children.
"It's heartbreaking. It's hard to pick yourself up again, I can tell you."
Mrs Corbett said she and her husband were hoping for guilty verdicts in the trial.
"Definitely, we are hoping for justice, that's it," she added.
Fox 8 August 9th 2017
Molly Corbett, Thomas Martens each sentenced to 20-25 years in prison
Molly Corbett and Thomas Martens were each sentenced to 20-25 years in prison after being found guilty Wednesday morning of second-degree murder in Jason Corbett’s death. Both defense attorneys have filed appeals. The conviction means the jury unanimously believed the killing was done in malice. Moments after the verdict was announced, Molly broke out crying while Martens remained quiet. Before being taken into custody, Molly turned to her mother and said she’s “really sorry.” The two claimed self-defense during the trial. Jury foreman Tom Ammland said the decision did not come easily. The group voted 12-0 for Martens to receive second-degree murder, but were stuck at 10-2 for Molly Corbett. For Ammland and the rest of the jury, they hope both sides will now be able to find peace. “There are no winners in this case. everybody loses to some degree and we all agreed on that,” Ammland said.