Authorities in the US are to investigate how Molly and Tom Martens were handed incorrect early release dates.
Reports yesterday afternoon suggested the pair were due for release just weeks after beginning their sentences for the manslaughter of Irishman Jason Corbett.
Yesterday evening, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) confirmed to Newstalk that Thomas Martens would be released today and Molly Martens Corbett would be released tomorrow.
An NCDAC spokesperson said felony sentences in North Carolina are accompanied by a “mandatory term of post-release supervision”, with the offender serving the final 12 months of their sentence “in the community under the supervision of a probation/parole officer”.
He noted that the Martens were both convicted of manslaughter, which is a Class D felony and as such, were due to undergo 12 months of post-release supervision.
Jason Corbett | File photoOvernight, however, the department said the release dates were found to be incorrect after “further review”.
It said the pair were now not due for release until June 27th of next year.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Irish Examiner reporter Neil Michael said local reporters were last night told that there is now going to be a review to find out what happened.
“Obviously, the [Corbett] family were outraged,” he said. “They couldn't believe it.
“You know, what was actually happening?
“Then somebody decided to go back over the records and find out what was going on and now it turns out that there's a mistake.
“The judge had said that they were supposed to be in there for a minimum of seven months and so, when you look at the dates that are on the various forms for the two of them, it's kind of hard to work out how they would work out that they should be released.”
His name was #JasonCorbett. We cannot disagree with people who have described this decision as making a mockery of justice - and wonder why our family was put through the ordeal of a harrowing two week sentencing hearing for this outcome - to see Jason's killers behind bars for… pic.twitter.com/vMNmOB6SqY
— Tracey Corbett Lynch (@Lynchtr5) December 4, 2023
In a statement yesterday, Jason’s sister Tracey said the family was “appalled” to learn about the proposed early release through Irish media.
They said the release would be an insult to Jason’s memory, adding, “We cannot disagree with people who have described this decision as making a mockery of justice”.
They also questioned why their family was put through a “harrowing two-week sentencing hearing” if the pair were to be released so early.
