Jason Corbett's killers now in maximum security prison following release date mix-up
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Molly Martens and her father Tom, killers of Limerick man Jason Corbett, were transferred to a maximum security prison in the US last night following two days of confusion around their release dates.
Ms Martens, 40 was admitted to North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh, while Tom Martens, 73, was admitted to Piedmont Correctional institution in Salisbury. The father and daughter had been held in custody at Davidson County jail in Lexington, North Carolina, since November following their sentencing hearing last month.
The move comes following a major miscalculation of their release dates from jail, which made international headlines and caused the family of the late Jason Corbett much distress.
The Martens battered Mr Corbett to death at his home in Panthers Creek in North Carolina in August 2015. The Martens' much-anticipated transfer comes after The North Carolina Department of Corrections (NCDP) mistakenly stated on its website earlier this week that they would be released on December 5 and 6.
This would have meant that the pair would have only spent four weeks in jail after they were sentenced to a minimum of seven months and a maximum of 23 months behind bars for the manslaughter of Mr Corbett. “Human error” was blamed for the mix-up of their prison records which are accessible by members of the public online, according to a statement by the NCDP.
It said: “After further review, the initial projected release dates calculated in response to re-sentencing for Molly Corbett and Thomas Martens were found to be incorrect. The current projected release dates for both are June 27, 2024. Corbett and Martens will be transferred to state prison facilities to complete the remainder of their sentences."
Sarah Corbett Lynch, the 17-year-old daughter of the late Jason Corbett expressed her feelings on the episode in a tweet that said “the pain and the confusion”.
In a further twist of miscalculations, the inmates' incarceration records online were updated on Tuesday. This time they stated that Ms Martens and her father were released on Monday.
The Corbett Lynch family have been left distressed over the incident which was compounded by the new error on Tuesday.
A post on the Jasoncorbettjourney Instagram page on Tuesday afternoon, said: “I can’t believe I am writing this. Their prison records have been updated. Projected released dated June 2024. But it states they were both actually released yesterday (Monday).
“What has happened their miscalculation? Is this another system error? Why is this happening? Everyone we need your emails and calls again please."
Following the second incident, the contacted the NCDP media office again. In a fresh statement last night, a spokesperson said the prison service had deactivated the prison information link for the Martens over the confusion.
The statement said: “They (Molly and Tom Martens) remain in custody and have remained in custody. The public information page for them is being taken down temporarily to get it fixed and corrected.”
Last night, the Corbett Lynch family provided a further update on their Instagram page, following communication with the District Attorney’s office.
It said: “It is with great relief (and frustration) I can tell you the CAC is working to change the information which is currently still incorrect on the prison records website.
“It comes from central communications and causes issues as the inmates are not in the system. They WILL be moved today (Tuesday). Thank you again everyone. I truly believe they would have been free only for all your efforts for Jason."
On Tuesday, following the two errors by the prison service, Tracey Corbett Lynch tweeted a further statement on the matter.
She wrote: “Molly and Tom Martens, by their violent actions, orphaned our brother Jason's beloved two children, Jack (19) and Sarah (17). They have never shown remorse. The events of the sentencing hearing and the confusion over incorrect early prison release dates in North Carolina this week caused further hurt and upset to two children who have already suffered far too much.
Molly and Tom Martens, by their violent actions, orphaned our brother Jason's beloved two children, Jack (19) and Sarah (17). They have never shown remorse. The events of the sentencing hearing and the confusion over incorrect early prison release dates in North Carolina this…
— Tracey Corbett Lynch (@Lynchtr5) December 5, 2023
“Our family were left dealing with a nightmare on Monday over this prison release error - and no one from the North Carolina justice system contacted us that day to offer help or support.
“We find it incredible that it was only on a second check of the early release sentence calculations that the error was spotted. We also remain convinced that, but for the actions of the Irish media and the Justice for Jason supporters in highlighting this injustice, the two killers who cruelly took Jason's life and tried to attack his good name would be released after the shocking period of just four weeks behind bars.
“We have been fighting for justice for Jason for eight long years. But many other families are not able to fight for justice for loved ones in the manner we have - the events of the past few weeks raise serious questions about the fairness and the empathy of the justice system in North Carolina.
“This is simply not good enough for the families of victims of violent crime. Our family will continue to speak out about this and campaign for victims’ rights whether it is in Ireland or the US. We would now respectfully ask for privacy to allow us to deal with the hurtful events of the past few days and weeks”.
Molly Martens admitted killing her husband in August 2015 along with her father—the pair claimed self-defence. However, Judge Hall said they had “little or no injuries” after beating Mr Corbett to death and he added that this “did not make sense”.
The Martens both pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and were returned to jail by Judge David Hall, where they have already served 44 months for the death of Mr Corbett. They were jailed for second degree murder in 2017 but had their convictions overturned earlier this year and a re-trial was ordered.
In a statement a spokesperson for the NCDP told the : “Molly Corbett and Thomas Martens were transported today (Tuesday) from the Davidson County Jail to the North Carolina state prison system to serve the remainder of their sentences.
“Corbett was admitted to North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh, while Martens was admitted to Piedmont Correctional institution in Salisbury. These two prisons are admission centers in the North Carolina prison system. These offenders may be transferred to other prisons after the completion of the admission and evaluation process.
“The current projected release dates for both are June 27, 2024. The online public information pages for them have been taken down temporarily to get them accurately updated.”