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Criminal trialVerdict

Matthew Konen trial

State of Tennessee v. Matthew Konen

Bench Watch Brief · Where this case stands

A Clarksville, Tenn., jury on Oct. 8, 2026, convicted former Nashville paramedic Matthew Konen of first-degree murder in the 2021 death of his father-in-law, David Rodgers, and criminally negligent homicide in the death of his wife, Rachel Konen. His lawyers argued that his father-in-law shot Rachel and that Konen fought back in self-defense. Sentencing is Jan. 13, 2027.

The question at issue

Whether prosecutors disproved Konen's claim that his father-in-law shot Rachel Konen and that Konen killed him in self-defense.

Outcome

Found guilty Oct. 8, 2026, of first-degree murder (David Rodgers) and of criminally negligent homicide, a lesser offense than the murder charged (Rachel Konen). Bond revoked. Sentencing set for Jan. 13, 2027.

Why we're following it

Rachel Konen, 30, was shot and her father, David Rodgers, 62, was beaten to death at the Konens' Clarksville home on Jan. 20, 2021. Matthew Konen called 911 (Clarksville Now).

Prosecutors said Konen had every reason to kill. “He was getting a divorce, he was hemorrhaging money,” Assistant District Attorney Chris West told jurors, and Rachel had a $700,000 life insurance policy that named Konen as the beneficiary (Clarksville Now; Clarksville Now). “The only person with a reason to kill that night was Matthew Konen,” West said (Clarksville Now).

The defense said Rodgers shot his daughter and turned the gun on Konen. “Mr. Konen does not have to prove that he was acting in self-defense,” defense lawyer Kyle Mothershead said (Clarksville Now).

Bench Watch BreakdownSelf-defense in TennesseeShow or hide the explanation
What it means
A person may use deadly force if they have good reason to believe they could die or be badly hurt right then. Once there is proof of self-defense, the state has to disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
In this case
Konen's lawyers said Rodgers shot Rachel and turned the gun on Konen, who fought back. Prosecutors said Konen was the only one with a reason to kill. The jury convicted him.

Tennessee Code 39-11-201

The jury convicted Konen of first-degree murder in Rodgers' death. For Rachel's death, it chose a lesser crime (Clarksville Now).

Bench Watch BreakdownCriminally negligent homicideShow or hide the explanation
What it means
It means causing a death by failing to see a big risk that an ordinary person would have seen. It does not require meaning to kill. In Tennessee it is a Class E felony.
In this case
Konen was charged with first-degree murder in Rachel's death. The jury chose this lesser crime instead. For her father's death, it found him guilty of first-degree murder.
Why it matters
Jurors can pick a lesser crime than the one charged. They don't explain why.

Tennessee Code 39-11-302

Bench Watch BreakdownDropped, then charged againShow or hide the explanation
What it means
Prosecutors can drop a case without ending it for good. Later, they can ask a grand jury to charge it again.
In this case
Charges were dropped in 2023. A grand jury indicted Konen again in 2025, and that case went to trial.

WSMV on the dropped charges (2023)

Timeline

  1. Sentencing hearing

  2. Jury convicts on both counts; bond revoked

  3. State rests; the defense begins its case

  4. Opening statements

  5. Arrested after a new indictment on two counts of first-degree murder

  6. Charges dropped; prosecutors say they could be refiled

  7. Pleads not guilty

  8. Rachel Konen and David Rodgers die; Konen calls 911

Primary documents

Our coverage

Key questions

What was Matthew Konen convicted of?
On Oct. 8, 2026, a Montgomery County, Tenn., jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the death of his father-in-law, David Rodgers, and criminally negligent homicide in the death of his wife, Rachel Konen. Sentencing is Jan. 13, 2027.
Where was the Matthew Konen trial?
In Clarksville, Tenn., at the Montgomery County Courts Center. Konen is a former Nashville Fire Department paramedic, but the deaths happened at the couple's Clarksville home.
Why were the Konen charges dropped and refiled?
Prosecutors dropped the charges in 2023, saying they could be brought again through a grand jury. A grand jury indicted Konen again in May 2025.

Approach the Bench · How you can take part

  1. Watch in person

    Sentencing is Jan. 13, 2027

    The hearing is set at the Montgomery County Courts Center in Clarksville.

    FOX 17 on the verdict and sentencing date

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