Molly Martens Corbett, 32, and her 65-year-old father Thomas Martens appeared before a Superior Court judge in Davidson County Tuesday. They are charged with second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the death of Jason Corbett.
39-year-old Jason Corbett died from head injuries at the Davidson County home he shared with Molly Martens Corbett on August 2, 2015.
According to RTE News, the two were released on bail after paying $200,000 bond each. The judge ordered them to surrender their passports.
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office charged them after they were indicted by a Grand Jury on Monday, January 4. They started hearing the case in December.
They also agreed not to contact the Corbett family, specifically Mr. Corbett's two children from his first marriage, whom Ms Martens Corbett had cared for as an au pair before marrying their father.
Molly Martens Corbett and Thomas Martens are scheduled to appear in court again on January 19.
Jason Corbett's sister Tracey Lynch and her husband David Lynch were in court.
Afterwards, Mrs. Lynch made a brief statement expressing the family's appreciation to all of the authorities that had been involved in the investigation.
She said the family wanted "all the facts to go in front of a jury" in order to uncover the truth of what had happened.
She said the family continued to grieve over the loss of Jason, adding that his children were doing "pretty well given what has happened", and that the wider family was "thankful they are in Ireland surrounded by their loving family".
A Martens family spokesperson also spoke outside the courtroom.
Mike Earnest, a brother-in-law of retired FBI agent Mr Martens, and uncle to Ms Martens Corbett said the Martens family was "extremely disappointed" at the decision to bring charges, adding that both of the accused had fully co-operated with the authorities.
Earnest, who lives in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington DC also works for a government agency, although he declined to say which one.
He said his brother-in-law and niece intended to plead not guilty and would show evidence that they had acted in self-defense.
He said the Martens family also welcomed the opportunity to have the case heard in front of a jury.
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