The verdict: the Corbett family are heard

THE VERDICT

For those who were watching, the manner in which the Davidson County bailiff ’s back immediately straightened was a tell-tale sign that the court analysts who were predicting a marathon trial deliberation or even a hung jury were about to be proved wrong. The knock on the jury room door came just after 11.25am on Wednesday, August 9 – almost exactly a week since the Corbett family had marked the second anniversary of Jason’s death at a special ceremony in the MPS plant in Lexington he used to work.

When those in the courtroom heard the knock on the jury door, they presumed it was another question from the jurors.

The nine women and three men had resumed their deliberations at 9.35am that day, having already considered a verdict for one hour and 45 minutes the previous day.

At 10.50am, they had summoned a bailiff to ask Judge Lee if it was possible for them to take a 15-minute coffee break as they were tired. They had been in the jury room for less than 20 minutes when the second knock was heard on the door. “Judge, there is a verdict,” the bailiff simply announced. Almost immediately, family members, lawyers, journalists and trial observers began to flood back into the courtroom.

Whereas minutes before the mood inside the courtroom was relaxed and people chatted over whether a verdict was likely before the weekend, the atmosphere was now so tense that even veteran journalists later commented that their hands were trembling as notepads and pens were gripped in preparation for a verdict.

Outside the courthouse, US TV crews including broadcast teams from NBC, ABC, CBS, Spectrum and WXII scrambled to prepare for an item they knew would dominate the headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Once the courtroom settled, lawyers walked over to both sets of families and briefed them that, no matter what the verdict, there were to be no emotional outbursts and no scenes of recrimination or jubilation.

It was also noted that, whereas Courtroom C always had two or three armed bailiffs and Davidson County Sheriff Department officers in attendance, there were now eight officers, 9mm sidearms clearly visible in holsters, spread across the front of the court.

For security reasons, everyone was asked to vacate the first row of seats across the entire public gallery, increasing the distance between both families and the legal teams and defendants.

Judge Lee, before accepting the jury verdict, issued a stark warning to the packed courtroom that anyone who breached court conduct standards would be held in contempt. This, he warned, could involve up to 30 days in a Lexington jail and a $500 fine.

Satisfied that everyone in the public gallery understood the importance of maintaining

calm once the verdict was delivered, he indicated to the bailiff proceedings could resume.

Jury foreman, Tom Aamland, confirmed to Judge Lee that they had reached verdicts in respect of both Molly Martens-Corbett and her father, Thomas Martens. The father and daughter were now standing in court awaiting their fate. Mr Aamland confirmed that the verdicts were unanimous in both regards. An envelope containing the signed verdict papers was handed to the bailiff and passed to the court clerk. There was a shocked silence as the courtroom was told, in individual verdict confirmations, that both the father and daughter had been convicted of second degree murder.

On the right side of the courtroom, members of the Corbett family wept quietly in relief. Silent hugs and handshakes were exchanged. Several supporters leaned forward to whisper “Justice for Jason” to exhausted Irish family members overcome by the emotion of the moment.

On the left side of the courtroom, the sense of shocked disbelief amongst the Martens and Earnest families was quickly punctuated by the sounds of muffled sobs. Ms Martens-Corbett dissolved into sobs and low wails, putting her face in her hands. Her father, after casting a concerned glance at his daughter, seated to his left, and back to his wife, Sharon, seated directly behind him, remained calm and impassive.

Mr Martens, after a lifetime in law enforcement with the FBI and other federal agencies, spotted the circle of Davidson County Sheriff ’s officers approaching and knew what it meant. He stood and, without being asked, extended his hands behind him so they could be handcuffed.

A female officer approached Ms Martens-Corbett who was now sobbing uncontrollably. She turned and sobbed to her mother and brother: “I’m really sorry, Mom – I wish he’d just killed me.”

Assistant District Attorneys Greg Brown and Alan Martin told the court the prosecution were ready to proceed to sentencing immediately. Both Mr Freedman and Mr Holton asked for a brief adjournment for their clients before sentencing. Mr Martin suggested a 15-minute adjournment.

Judge Lee agreed and directed that both the father and daughter be taken into custody. The duo were led out of the court to allow for sentencing submissions to be prepared. As they left, Judge Lee adjourned the court for 15 minutes. In the public gallery, Sharon Martens was inconsolable. She wept uncontrollably and had to be supported by her brother, Michael Earnest.

Mr Earnest’s wife, Mona, attempted to help while Molly’s brother, Connor, also sobbed. His distress became so great that he had to cover his face with his hands and lower it onto his lap in a bid to regain control.

On the other side of the courtroom, Jason’s family began preparing themselves for one final legal ordeal – the delivery of victim impact statements on behalf of Jason’s mother, Rita, his son, Jack, and the entire family.

Assistant District Attorney Alan Martin would read out the hand-written letter from Jack Corbett (13). Tracey Lynch would deliver a statement on behalf of the entire Corbett family and Jason’s elderly mother.

Seconds after Ms Martens-Corbett and Mr Martens re-entered the courtroom from a holding area, Mr Martin confirmed to Judge Lee that neither had any previous convictions.

In light of that, the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office was now proposing sentences for the father and daughter of between 20 and 25 years though, strangely, the terms were outlined in months rather than years: 240 to 300 months.

“There is no joy, no triumph, no pride – there is just grief, grief and more grief,” Assistant District Attorney Alan Martin said.

“Jason Corbett did not have to die. What is left before the court is a truly senseless murder,” he said. “It was brutal, it was vicious, it took time, it was heinous and it was atrocious. It was cruel for Jason to die at the hands of these people with his children just upstairs.”

Tracey Lynch took to the stand to offer victim impact evidence on behalf of her brother’s family and her elderly mother. The court was told that, in the days after the killing of Jason Corbett, his elderly parents in Limerick received proposed adoption papers for Jack and Sarah in respect of Ms Martens-Corbett.

There were repeated attempts by the Martens family to contact the two children in Ireland via social media. Incredibly there was even an attempt to hire a small plane to fly over the school they were attending in Limerick so a banner could be displayed with information about how Ms Martens-Corbett could be contacted.

Tracey told the court no sentence could compensate for the loss of a dearly loved son and brother.

“My name is Tracey Lynch and I am a sister of Jason Corbett,” she said. “I have been asked to read this statement to the court to tell you what type of person Jason was. I want you to understand the impact his murder has had on his family and on his mother. I want you to understand how the actions of Molly Martens and her father have impacted on Sarah and Jack, Jason’s children.

“Jason was my baby brother – we were so proud of him. He was charismatic, kind, fun, loving, generous and thoughtful. He was a very uplifting and amiable person. He had gone through hard times when his first wife, Mags, died but he kept himself going for Jack and Sarah. He loved his children and was devoted to them.

“Jason worked very hard to provide for them and make sure they had everything they needed. They knew he loved them. He doted on them. He did all he could to make them happy. He was a healthy, happy man. Then that changed for all of us.

“August 2 will be imprinted on all our minds for all the wrong reasons – the day my brother was killed and my niece and nephew were made orphans. My parents lost their child and we lost the most wonderful brother and friend.

“Our day-to-day lives were lived under constant pressure and worry. This was on top of grieving for our loss. On top of the custody [battle]. On top of the guardianship. All because Molly and Tom Martens murdered my brother.

“We will never come to terms with Jason’s horrific death. He was beaten and battered thousands of miles from his family in his own home. No photographs or evidence will depict for you what we endure every day and how we suffer because of the vision of how Jason died in pain.

“Was he in pain? Did he cry? How long did he lay there before his last breath? “Our hearts will never heal from the sadness we feel. Although we are broken, the love and support we have gives us the determination and the strength to carry on.

“We have tried to find the words as a family to tell you how Jason’s murder has impacted on our lives but there really are no adequate words to describe the pain, anger and despair that we have felt from his murder.

“Jason’s murder took everything from his children. It took their innocence and security. It made them orphans. It fundamentally changed the course of their lives. They sometimes have trouble finding joy in simple pleasures of life. Being happy doesn’t seem right anymore. They are now painfully aware that there is violence and evil in this world. That they cannot trust because adults break that trust.

“I speak for all my siblings when I say that sometimes the feeling of despair becomes so overwhelming, so oppressive that it literally takes my breath away. I never know what sound or sight is going to trigger in my mind a memory.

“And while the memories of Jason are so precious, with them comes the realisation that he is gone and the visualisation of his battered body – each time the realisation hits my heart and it is devastating. We sat here and listened to how he died. Those memories will never leave us as a family.

“Jason was the baby, my mother Rita’s youngest child. Their baby did not deserve to be so cruelly taken from them. They did not deserve to have to live the rest of their lives with this pain and without their child.”

Tracey paused and, fighting back the tears, told the court her mother, Rita, asked for a special message to be read out on her behalf.

“Jason was my pride and joy. He was kind, generous and sensitive. He wanted to see the people around him happy and he contributed to this with his love for life, devotion and kindness. He was very caring to his family and friends. He was a devoted father to his children.

“The day I was told Jason was dead was the worst day of my life. It was 6.10pm on a Sunday evening. My son, Wayne, had received a brief 30-second call from Sharon Martens, Molly’s mother, to say Jason is dead.

“An ocean divided us but we tried everything, every way to contact Molly. We tried desperately to ring Sharon and Molly back. To this day I have never heard from Molly Martens or any of her family since the day of Jason’s murder.

“Not one word, call or letter to acknowledge that I was his mother, that he was dead – nothing. No call at the time to allow me to speak with my grandchildren. No contact. A hastily arranged funeral without communicating with his family in Ireland.

“It seemed she wished to wipe our existence out along with Jason’s from Jack and Sarah’s life. My life will never be the same but I am trying every day to carry on the best I can. It was very hard because I had to watch Molly and Tom Martens carry on as if nothing had happened – as if they had the right to kill my child, my lovely son, Jason.

“My family and I were and continue to suffer a level of emotional pain that words will never cover. I miss Jason so much and see him in front of me every day. Every night when I go to bed and close my eyes all I can see is his battered and bruised body on the floor.

“When I come down my stairs each morning, I open my front door looking out remembering Jason coming in saying: ‘Rita, we are home’ and my heart breaks all over again knowing I will never see him.

“Sometimes I don’t know what to do – shout, roar or go mad but I cannot and will stay strong for my family.

“They are so good and I am so blessed to have them all. Tracey and David are now parents to Jack and Sarah along with their other children, Adam and Dean.

“They are doing their very best for the children and helping us to cope with the trial – it is so hard to keep going but we all find strength in each other. Our lives will go on.

“Jason died suffering in such a way. I could never forget what was done to him. It was inhuman and barbaric. Instead of Jason’s warm embrace I now look at a cold marble headstone in a graveyard. My heart is still broken and I will never recover.

“It is up to the court to decide Molly and Tom Martens’ sentence and although there will never be justice for Jason, I beg of the court, for Jason’s sake, for his family and for myself, to give Molly and Tom Martens the same leniency they have my son.” Before concluding her address, Tracey turned to the court with a final request. “Many people spoke inside and outside this court about what a decent man Jason was. The sentence you pass will be the last thing that anyone can do for Jason in this horrific case. All we are asking for is justice for Jason, for his family, for his friends and especially for Jack and Sarah.”

Tracey resumed her seat in the public gallery beside her husband David before Alan Martin read out the handwritten letter from Jack Corbett (13).

At times, Mr Martin struggled to control his voice, such were the emotions as the teenager described the awful consequences of his father’s murder. “My dad’s death has been life-changing for me and my family,” Jack wrote. “My dad was there for me in every aspect of my life. My dad was always cheering me on in sport, school and just regular life.

“I don’t have that from him anymore. I always hoped after that night that he could see me score a try in rugby or score a goal or just see me succeed in life. He can’t see that anymore. He won’t be there for me if I get married or have kids. He won’t be there for me or help me when I’m down or had a rough day.

“He will miss everything I do in life, the good and the bad, and he won’t be there to give advice. I will never be able to give him a hug or a present or a Father’s Day card. He won’t see me grow from a kid to a teenager and into my adult life.

“It changed my way of thinking on life. I can never go to the movies and pass a ball without feeling bad cause that’s what me and my dad did.

“I just want to make my dad and my family proud. I don’t know if I should call David ‘Dad’ because I don’t want my dad to feel offended or feel like he was replaced.

“This has affected my little sister a lot as well. She knows her daddy won’t be there to walk her down the aisle. She will never have a father-daughter dance and Sarah and my dad had been planning [one] for ages.

“My family and I are not seen as we were before my dad was killed. We are now seen as the family of the Irish man named Jason Corbett who was murdered by Molly Martens

in his home in North Carolina trying to make a new start, a new life for himself and his family. That was taken away from him by a murderer named Molly Martens who is so many bad things.

“One of the things that she is not a part of and never will be is the Corbett family. She has put this burden on our family and it won’t be lifted until she is put away. That’s where she belongs.

“My dad will not be forgotten. He will be remembered by his good life, how he made everyone feel good about themselves, how he was there for you if you needed him, how he always focused on the positive, how he was the best dad ever and the best friend, brother and son ever.

“Molly Martens will not be forgotten as well – she will always be remembered as the woman who killed her husband for no reason. She will be remembered as a murderer.”

Jack’s hard-hitting letter concluded with an acknowledgement that Tracey and David’s children, Dean and Adam, have been like brothers to himself and his little sister since the tragedy.

As Mr Martin read out the conclusion of Jack’s letter and the warning that Molly would be remembered as a murderer, the young woman wailed loudly and began sobbing.

Across the courtroom, five of the 12 jurors were also openly weeping as the little boy’s letter concluded. Judge Lee asked the defence teams if they had any submissions.

Mr Freedman said Michael Earnest, brother-in-law to Mr Martens and uncle to Ms Martens-Corbett, would offer brief character evidence.

Mr Earnest, who worked for the US agency engaged in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, said that Tom Martens was “one of the finest people I have ever met”.

“He has been the most terrific husband to my sister,” he said. “She could have gone the entire world over and not found a better husband than Tom Martens.” Judge Lee asked if either defendant wished to address the court before sentencing? Mr Freedman added that as his client had already given sworn evidence, he had nothing further to add. Judge Lee then imposed a sentence of between 20 and 25 years, as proposed by the prosecution, for Mr Martens. Judge Lee queried whether the young woman had anything to say before sentence. Mr Holton consulted with his client who, eyes red from crying, was being comforted by solicitor Cheryl Andrews. Molly stood and, in a voice broken by sobs and her body shaking with emotion, said: “I did not murder Jason – my father did not murder Jason.”

She wept as she said the events of August 2, 2015 were no different to other occasions save for the fact her father had been present in the house that night. Judge Lee also imposed a sentence of between 20 and 25 years for Molly Martens. The duration of the sentences will be ultimately decided by the North Carolina Parole Board but both Molly and Tom Martens will serve a minimum of 20 years, unless they appeal successfully against their conviction.

Immediately after she concluded her remarks, both the father and daughter were led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

After 16 days of jury selection and evidence, 23 trial witnesses and two sentencing witnesses, it was over.