Jury convicts former Nashville paramedic in deaths of wife and father-in-law
Matthew Konen's lawyers argued he acted in self-defense. A Clarksville jury convicted him of first-degree murder in one death and a lesser crime in the other.
Case file
Matthew Konen trial Verdict
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Bench Watch Brief
A Clarksville, Tenn., jury on Oct. 8 convicted Matthew Konen 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.
A Montgomery County jury on Oct. 8 convicted Matthew Konen, a former Nashville Fire Department paramedic, of first-degree murder in the death of David Rodgers, 62, and criminally negligent homicide in the death of Rodgers' daughter, Rachel Konen, 30 (Clarksville Now). His bond was revoked (Court TV via Yahoo).
What each side argued
Prosecutors said Konen had every reason to kill because he was going through a divorce and, in Assistant District Attorney Chris West's words, was “hemorrhaging money” (Clarksville Now; Clarksville Now). The defense said Rodgers shot Rachel and turned the gun on Konen, who fought back (Clarksville Now; Court TV via Yahoo).
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.
Two different verdicts
Konen was charged with first-degree murder in both deaths (WSMV). In Rachel's death, the jury chose a lesser offense, criminally negligent homicide (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.
Five years to a verdict
Konen was first charged in 2021. Prosecutors dropped the case in 2023, and a grand jury charged him again in 2025 (WSMV).
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.
David Rodgers' ex-wife, Cynthia Rodgers, said at trial that he “was the grandpa that everybody wanted to have” (Clarksville Now).
What's next
Sentencing is set for Jan. 13, 2027 (FOX 17). Under Tennessee law, the possible sentences for first-degree murder include life in prison and life without parole (Tennessee Code 39-13-202). Reports haven't said what sentence prosecutors will seek. Criminally negligent homicide is a Class E felony (Tennessee Code 39-13-212).
Approach the Bench · How you can take part
Watch in person
Sentencing is Jan. 13, 2027
The hearing is set at the Montgomery County Courts Center in Clarksville.
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