US justice was swift and certain in Jason Corbett murder case

In the end, justice was swift and certain as Thomas Martens and his daughter Molly were convicted of the second degree murder of Irishman Jason Corbett.

For Jason’s family, it brings to an end the two-year agony and despair since the morning of August 2, 2015, when he was bludgeoned to death at his home in North Carolina.

But it also means, as with any murder victim’s loved ones, that they must now try to allow themselves the time and space to grieve for him, without the distraction of a murder trial and all the ensuing publicity it generated both here and in the US.

The conduct of the trial highlighted two important differences between the Irish criminal justice system and that of many US states. Firstly, the details that emerged both in the media and online of evidence denied to the jury would have not been allowed here. Indeed, they would have been considered contempt of court and open to criminal prosecution.

Secondly, there is no such thing in Ireland as second degree murder, an unlawful killing done without pre-meditation but with intent. Those points will be moot to Jason’s loved ones who must now get on with their lives.

After the verdict was announced, Jason’s family acted, as they have done throughout the trial, with dignity and grace.

“There is no joy, there is no triumph, there is no pride,” a statement on their behalf read. “There is only grief.”