CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (Court TV) — A jury deliberated for less than five hours before finding a former paramedic guilty of killing his estranged wife and father-in-law at his Tennessee home.
Matthew Konen sits in court on Oct. 8, 2026. (Court TV)
Matthew Konen, 36, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his wife, Rachel Konen, 30, and her father, David Rogers, 62. The jury deliberated for two days before returning a verdict of guilty of first-degree murder for Rogers’ death and guilty of a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide in his wife’s death.
Prosecutors had said that Matthew Konen returned home on Jan. 20, 2021, after spending a day with his paramour getting massages and running errands, and gunned down Rachel Konen before attacking her father. Rachel Konen died from a single gunshot wound to her back.
Matthew Konen’s defense argued that it was Rogers who killed Rachel Konen, and that the defendant attacked Rogers out of fear he would shoot again. Matthew Konen called 911 to say that he had tackled his father-in-law, and he could be heard on the call continuing to beat, kick and stomp on Rogers.
Prosecutors told the jury that Matthew Konen was motivated by a love for his girlfriend, whom he married after Rachel Konen’s death, and concern over his financial future after his planned divorce. Evidence introduced at trial showed that the defendant would have had to pay his ex-wife at least half his monthly income in alimony and child support for their four children. His texts showed that after working two jobs and overtime, he would have only $900 left over each month for himself.
Matthew Konen’s defense argued that Rogers’ mental health was declining before the deadly shooting, but prosecutors said the 62-year-old suffered only from anxiety, describing him as “a man who, by all accounts, was gentle, non-confrontational.” Prosecutors also emphasized that Rogers had been at home with Rachel Konen for hours before the shooting and had been playing hide-and-seek with the children, and questioned why Rogers would have waited for Matthew Konen, who was larger and faster than he was, to attack his daughter.
Matthew Konen’s bond was revoked following the verdicts; the judge scheduled his sentencing for Jan. 13, 2027.
