“In Jason’s Name”: 48 Hours Reports on Jason Corbett Homicide August 30 2025

This Saturday, August 31, 2025, CBS’ 48 Hours revisits one of the most complex and emotionally charged homicide cases in recent North Carolina history with an encore of “In Jason’s Name.” Correspondent Maureen Maher leads viewers through the tragic death of Irish businessman Jason Corbett, who was beaten to death in 2015 by his American wife, Molly Corbett, and her father, retired FBI agent Tom Martens. The pair claimed they acted in self-defense, but Jason’s sister, Tracey Lynch, has long fought to clear her brother’s name.

The episode explores not only the circumstances of Jason’s violent death but also the conflicting narratives, courtroom battles, and a family’s determined pursuit of justice amid claims of domestic abuse and character assassination.

The Life of Jason Corbett and His Move to America

Jason Corbett was a widowed father of two in Ireland, grieving the sudden loss of his first wife to an asthma attack. In need of support caring for his young children, he hired Molly Martens, a former au pair from Knoxville, Tennessee. Their relationship soon turned romantic, leading to marriage and a decision to relocate to the United States for a fresh start.

What began as a promising new chapter for Jason quickly unraveled. Friends and family noticed changes in his demeanor, and according to his sister, Tracey Lynch, Jason began expressing concerns about his marriage. He hinted at difficulties with Molly and mentioned wanting to return to Ireland, suggesting growing tension behind the scenes. Still, few anticipated the level of violence that would erupt in their North Carolina home in August 2015.

A Deadly Encounter and Claims of Self-Defense

On the night of August 2, 2015, emergency services received a chilling 911 call from Tom Martens. “I may have killed him,” he told the dispatcher. Jason Corbett, aged 39, had been bludgeoned to death in the bedroom he shared with Molly. The murder weapons: a brick paver and a baseball bat.

Molly and her father claimed that Jason was choking her and threatening to kill her, prompting Martens to intervene with lethal force. According to their story, the violent struggle was necessary to protect Molly’s life. Law enforcement and prosecutors, however, viewed the scene differently. They argued that the extent of Jason’s injuries and the forensic evidence pointed not to self-defense, but to a premeditated attack.

The First Trial and a Family’s Quest for Justice

In 2017, both Molly Corbett and Tom Martens were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to prison. During the trial, prosecutors portrayed the pair as attackers who chose to resolve personal grievances through violence rather than legal channels. Tracey Lynch, Jason’s sister, took custody of his two children and became the public face of a campaign to preserve her brother’s legacy.

She argued that not only was Jason the victim of a brutal killing, but that the defense team also tried to destroy his reputation with claims of years-long abuse. Lynch has consistently refuted those accusations and has worked to ensure Jason’s children know the truth about their father’s character.

Legal Challenges and a Controversial Reversal

Years after the conviction, the case took a dramatic turn. In March 2021, the North Carolina Supreme Court granted Molly and Tom a new trial, citing potential jury misconduct during the original proceedings. The decision shocked Jason’s family and renewed national interest in the case.

While awaiting the retrial, both defendants were released on bond. In October 2023, they avoided a second jury trial by entering plea agreements. Molly Corbett entered a no contest plea to voluntary manslaughter, while her father pleaded guilty to the same charge. As part of the deal, the second-degree murder charges were dropped.

Both received sentences of seven to thirty months in prison. By June 2024, having served the remainder of their time, Molly and Tom were released.

Ongoing Impact and the Fight for Jason’s Memory

The resolution of the case through plea deals left Jason Corbett’s family disappointed. To Tracey Lynch, justice was not fully served. She continues to speak out, determined to keep the public aware of what she believes truly happened and to defend her brother’s memory against what she describes as a campaign of defamation.

In “In Jason’s Name,” 48 Hours presents emotional interviews with Lynch, friends of Jason, and legal experts who followed the case. The episode lays bare the psychological and legal toll of a transatlantic family tragedy and raises enduring questions about the limits of self-defense claims, the influence of character evidence, and the long reach of grief and betrayal.

Conclusion

The case of Jason Corbett remains a deeply divisive story of violence, love, and loss. 48 Hours revisits the twists and turns of the investigation, trial, and aftermath with clarity and detail. For Jason’s family, the legal chapter may have closed, but their mission to protect his name and honor his life continues.

“In Jason’s Name” airs Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT on CBS and will stream on Paramount+ afterward.