Molly and Tom Martens to be released from prison three weeks early

Sarah Slater

Molly and Tom Martens, who admitted killing Limerick man Jason Corbett, are both to be released from prison in the US three weeks early.

Mr Corbett was killed in his home in Panther Creek, North Carolina eight years ago by his second wife, Molly (40), and her father, Tom (73), a former FBI agent.

Mr Corbett suffered severe head injuries after he was struck with a paving stone and baseball bat as he slept, with the coroner stating that the father of two suffered more than 12 blows to the head.

The business executive had moved from Limerick to the US with his children, Jack and Sarah, when he married Molly Martens, who had worked as their nanny following the death of Mr Corbett's first wife, Mags.

The Martens were jailed last November for the manslaughter of Mr Corbett. The court ruled they would be imprisoned for a minimum of seven months, up to a maximum of 23 months, taking into account their time already spent in custody.

The pair had already served 44 months in jail after being convicted of second-degree murder in 2017. However, their convictions were overturned following appeals.

They then took a plea deal on the charge of voluntary manslaughter.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that both Molly and Tom Martens will be released from prison on June 3rd.

Mr Corbett’s family were informed that the pair's release date had been brought forward by 21 days.

A post on the online group 'Jason's Journey' on Wednesday morning read: “It has now been confirmed that Molly Martens release date has been brought forward by three weeks.”

The post added: “Yet again the victims are being punished, and the perpetrators are being rewarded. I am so sorry this is happening to you Jack & Sarah.”

Responding to the news of the Martens' release, Mr Corbett's daughter Sarah (17), wrote: “It is important for individuals to have a chance to heal and recover from their trauma instead of experiencing more of it. No Justice.”

Two months ago, officials at the North Carolina Department of Corrections also made a clerical error on the Martens' prison release date which would have seen them freed on December 5th and 6th, just four weeks after their sentencing.