An attempt to secure the release of Thomas Martens (70) who was convicted of the murder of Irishman Jason Corbett (39), is still awaiting a court date in the US.
Martens’ lawyer David Freedman of Crumpler Freedman Parker & Witt, of North Carolina, said a court date has yet to be secured to hear a motion to have Martens released.
Mr Freedman has filed court papers seeking an order that Mr Martens should be released from prison on a security bond, during the coronavirus pandemic, because of the danger the virus poses to the elderly.
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Speaking to The Irish Times on Friday evening, Mr Freedman said courts were functioning at a reduced pace due to US restrictions relating to the virus. “We haven’t got a date for the court to hear the case for that order yet,” he said.
Mr Freedman said he hoped to hear from the courts over coming days in relation to a suitable date.
Martens was convicted along with his daughter Molly Martens of the second-degree murder of Molly’s husband, Irish father-of-two Jason Corbett in 2017. Mr Corbett (39), was found dead at his home in North Carolina in August 2015.
Thomas and Molly Martens were sentenced to 20-25 years in prison. However, earlier this year an appeal was lodged by Mr Freedman and a retrial was ordered.
The Martens remain in prison however, because the Attorney General of North Carolina lodged an appeal against the decision to grant a retrial.