‘My dad was always there for me,’ victim’s son tells court

The 13-year-old son of Limerick man Jason Corbett, whose wife and father-in-law were yesterday sentenced to between 20 and 25 years for his murder, has told of the catastrophic impact the crime has had on his life.

Prior to the sentencing yesterday at a court in North Carolina of Molly Martens Corbett (33) and her father Thomas Martens (67), a former FBI agent, a letter from Jack Corbett was read to the court by assistant district attorney Alan Martin. The prosecutor struggled to maintain control of his emotions as he read the child's statement.

“My father’s death has been life-changing for me. My dad was always there for me, always cheering me on in sports, in school and everyday life. I always hoped after that night he could see me score a goal in rugby. . . But he won’t be there. He won’t be there for me if I marry or have kids. He’ll miss everything. He won’t see me grow from a child to a teenager.” the letter said.

But he pledged his dad “will not be forgotten . . . Molly Martens will also never be forgotten. She will be known as the woman who murdered her husband for no reason”.

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Jason Corbett murder trial: Molly Martens and father found guilty

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Martens Corbett and her father had denied murdering the father of two who was found beaten to death at his home in Wallburg, North Carolina on August 2nd, 2015.

It took the jury less than four hours to reach their unanimous verdict, finding them guilty of second-degree murder.

Both Martens Corbett and her father were given an opportunity to address Judge David Lee prior to sentencing. Martens declined but Martens Corbett through heaving sobs protested: "I did not murder my husband. My father did not murder my husband."

Jason Corbett’s sister Tracey Lynch said: “We thought that the jury would not find the two accused guilty but they did and we are thankful for it. The jury have fulfilled their duty and I can promise them that we will fulfil our duty to help create a good future for Jason’s children who he loved.”

Both Martens Corbett and her father plan to appeal the verdict.