WE’RE WRITE AND FURIOUS
Jason’s sister complains to jail staff about release fiasco
THE family of Jason Corbett has written a letter requesting an apology and clarification after the two people responsible for his death were listed as due for release.
Molly and Thomas Martens, who accepted a voluntary manslaughter plea deal for killing the Irish dad-of-two in 2015, were among the names listed for release in the past week on the Department of Adult Corrections website.
The Irish Mirror exclusively exposed the prison release dates blunder this week, sparking concern from tragic Jason’s family regarding the oversight.
Jason’s sister, Tracey Corbett-lynch, has penned a letter, which expresses the upset that such an error has caused and also demands a public apology.
In a letter to Keith Acree, communications director for North Carolina’s Department of Adult Corrections, Tracey told of the “deep disappointment and concern regarding the error... which has caused significant distress and upheaval for our family”.
ORPHANED
She said: “The impact of their violent actions, which tragically orphaned our brother Jason’s beloved children, Jack and Sarah, has been immeasurable.
“Our family has been tirelessly working towards rebuilding our fragile stability and supporting the children during these challenging times.
“We were in the midst of trying to process the trauma of the two week sentencing experience just 28 days prior when news of the convicted killers planned release disrupted and destroyed the progress we had made.
“The events surrounding the sentencing hearing and the subsequent confusion over incorrect early release dates in North Carolina have only added to the hurt and upset that the children have already endured.
“It is disheartening that no one from the North Carolina justice system took the initiative to contact us on the day of the prison release error to offer help or support.
“It is astonishing that the error in the early release sentence calculations was only discovered upon a second check.
“Additionally, it is our belief that if it weren’t for the efforts of the Irish media and the Justice for Jason supporters in exposing this injustice, Molly and Thomas Martens, who callously took Jason’s life and showed no remorse, would have been released after a shockingly short period of just four weeks behind bars.”
Molly, who has been admitted to the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh, and Thomas, who was sent to the Piedmont Correctional Institution in Salisbury, were convicted of seconddegree murder after Jason was beaten to death in his home. But in 2020, a retrial was ordered due to
It is disheartening that no one from the North Carolina justice system took the initiative to contact us...
MOLLY COULD HAVE WALKED FREE TODAY
an appeal court deciding some evidence had been excluded from the original trial. The pair accepted a plea deal of voluntary manslaughter upon appeal and received a sentence of between 51 and 74 months, taking into account 44 months already served.
But when it emerged the killers could have been mistakenly released before
Christmas, Jason’s family demanded answers. Tracey added: “For eight long years, our family has fought tooth and nail for justice for Jason.
“However, the recent events have raised serious concerns about the fairness and empathy of the justice system in North Carolina.
“We have observed cases where criminals receive sentences of 20 years or more for non-fatal assaults, yet Molly and Thomas Martens, who fatally beat a helpless man to death with a brick and a baseball bat, received a mere seven-month sentence extension. This can only be described as a gross injustice. Such outcomes are simply unacceptable for the families of victims of violent
crimes. Our family is determined to continue speaking out and campaigning for victims’ rights, whether it be in Ireland or the United States.
“The planned release of Molly and Tom Martens, after spending just an additional month behind bars, not only disrespects Jason’s memory but also deeply hurts our entire family. Moreover, we have received no satisfactory explanation as to why this decision was made, despite our persistent efforts to seek detailed answers.
“The lack of transparency and communication surrounding this matter has left us feeling devastated and profoundly let down by the North Carolina justice system.”