Thomas & Molly Martens guilty of second degree murder of Jason Corbett

Molly Martens and her father Thomas Martens have been found guilty of the second degree murder of Irishman Jason Corbett.

The jury of nine women and three men delivered the unanimous verdict in a courtroom in North Carolina after a three week trial. Local media Fox 8 WGHP reports that Molly broke into tears moments after the verdict was announced, while her father remained quiet. She turned to her mother and told her she's "really sorry".   Judge David Lee jailed Molly for between 20 and 25 years. Her father was also jailed for between 20 and 25 years. Speaking after the verdict was delivered this afternoon, the State attorney said:

"There is no joy or pride in the verdict of this trial. Just grief... just grief. “This jury has determined that Jason didn’t have to die. That his kids didn’t deserve to lose their father.”

Jason’s sister Tracey Lynch spoke about the impact the Limerick man’s death had on the family. She said:

“Jason was my favourite brother. We were so proud of him, he was charismatic. "We will never get over Jason's death. He was beaten and battered in his own home. "There really are no adequate words to describe the pain, agony and despair of Jason's murder. “August the 2nd will be imprinted in our minds for all the wrong reasons.”

  The State attorney also read out a letter from Jason’s son, Jack. It read:

"I will never be able to give him a hug, to give him a present, to help me up when I'm down. "He will never watch me grow into a teenager, see me get married, or catch a ball. "She (Molly) has put this burden on this family, and it will not be done until she is put away. "She will always be remembered as a murderer."

Both Molly and her father had denied the second degree murder of dad of two Jason two years ago. The two of them had claimed self defense during the trial. Jason Corbett was found at his home in North Carolina on August 2, 2015 after he sustained fatal head injuries. Evidence during the trial had shown that Mr Corbett had received at least ten blows to the head from a baseball bat and cement brick.