Irish businessman Jason Corbett was killed at his North Carolina home in 2015 by his wife Molly Martens Corbett and her father Thomas Martens, who claimed self-defense; both were convicted of second-degree murder in 2017, but the conviction was overturned on appeal, and in 2023 they pleaded to reduced manslaughter charges before being released in 2024.
Jason Corbett, originally from Limerick, Ireland, moved to North Carolina with his two children after his first wife Margaret "Mags" Fitzpatrick died in 2006. He married Molly Martens, who had previously worked as the family's au pair, and the family settled in Wallburg, North Carolina. Corbett's relatives later described a deteriorating relationship marked by disputes over the children's citizenship and adoption status, as well as allegations concerning Martens' behavior toward the children and her honesty about her personal history.
On 2 August 2015, Thomas Martens called 911 to report that he had intervened in a fight between Corbett and his daughter, Molly, and that he "may have killed" Corbett. Responding officers found Corbett dead of severe head injuries. Both Molly and Thomas Martens told police the death arose from a domestic disturbance in which Corbett had allegedly attacked Molly and Thomas struck him with a baseball bat in her defense, with Molly also stating she had hit Corbett with a brick. A few days after Corbett's death, a custody dispute arose over his two children; a North Carolina judge ultimately awarded custody to Corbett's sister, Tracey Lynch, and the children were returned to Ireland.
On 5 January 2016, Molly Martens Corbett and Thomas Martens were charged with second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter following a grand jury indictment. At trial, which began in July 2017 in Davidson County Superior Court, prosecutors presented forensic evidence — including bloodstain-pattern analysis and autopsy findings showing approximately 12 blows to Corbett's head — that they argued contradicted a self-defense claim. The defense argued Thomas Martens acted to protect his daughter after finding Corbett with his hands around her neck. On 9 August 2017, both defendants were unanimously convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to a minimum of 20 and maximum of 25 years in prison.
The North Carolina Court of Appeals later overturned the convictions, and on 12 March 2021 the North Carolina Supreme Court, by a 4–3 vote, upheld that reversal, ruling that statements the children had made to investigators shortly after Corbett's death should have been admissible for the defense. Ahead of a planned retrial, on 30 October 2023, both defendants accepted plea deals to reduced charges of class D manslaughter. Molly Martens Corbett pleaded no contest and Thomas Martens pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter; on 9 November 2023 they were each sentenced to between 51 and 74 months, with credit for time already served. Both were released from prison on 6 June 2024, subject to one year of post-release supervision.
The case drew extensive media coverage in Ireland and the United States and was later the subject of the Netflix documentary "A Deadly American Marriage" (2025).
Jason Corbett's first wife, Margaret 'Mags' Fitzpatrick, dies unexpectedly after an asthma attack in Limerick, Ireland.
2008-04
Corbett hires Molly Martens as an au pair for his children.
2011-04
Corbett's family relocates to Lexington, North Carolina; Corbett and Martens marry.
2015-08-02
Jason Corbett is found dead of head injuries at his home in Wallburg, North Carolina, after Thomas Martens calls 911.
2015-08-20
Custody of Corbett's children is awarded to his sister, Tracey Lynch, who returns them to Ireland.
2015-08-26
Jason Corbett is buried in Limerick, Ireland, beside his first wife.
2016-01-05
Molly Martens Corbett and Thomas Martens are charged with second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.
2017-07-17
Jury selection begins in the trial of Molly Martens Corbett and Thomas Martens.
2017-08-09
Both defendants are found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20–25 years in prison.
2021-03-12
North Carolina Supreme Court rules 4-3 that both defendants must receive a new trial, upholding the Court of Appeals' reversal of their convictions.
2023-10-30
Both defendants accept plea deals to reduced charges of class D manslaughter.
2023-11-09
Both are sentenced to 51-74 months in prison for voluntary manslaughter.
2024-06-06
Molly Martens Corbett and Thomas Martens are released from prison.
2025-05-09
Netflix documentary 'A Deadly American Marriage' about the case is released.
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VIDEO
Kendall Rae / 39 min
Self Defense or Intentional Homicide | Former FBI Agent & His Daughter Kill Jason Corbett
People
Molly Martens Corbett
CONVICTED
Convicted of second-degree murder in 2017 (later overturned on appeal); pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2023 and was sentenced to 51-74 months, released in 2024.
Thomas Martens
CONVICTED
Convicted of second-degree murder in 2017 (later overturned on appeal); pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2023 and was sentenced to 51-74 months, released in 2024.
Jason Corbett
VICTIM
Irish businessman killed at his home in Wallburg, North Carolina, on 2 August 2015.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Irish businessman Jason Corbett was killed at his North Carolina home in 2015 by his wife Molly Martens Corbett and her father Thomas Martens, who claimed self-defense; both were convicted of second-degree murder in 2017, but the conviction was overturned on appeal, and in 2023 they pleaded to reduced manslaughter charges before being released in 2024.
Where did the killing happen?
Wallburg, North Carolina, United States.
Who was convicted?
Molly Martens Corbett (Convicted of second-degree murder in 2017 (later overturned on appeal); pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2023 and was sentenced to 51-74 months, released in 2024.) and Thomas Martens (Convicted of second-degree murder in 2017 (later overturned on appeal); pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2023 and was sentenced to 51-74 months, released in 2024.).
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