Matthew Konen (Clarksville Police Department).
A man from Tennessee who said he killed his father-in-law after the man shot his wife has been formally accused of two counts of first-degree murder by a grand jury.
Matthew Konen, 35, was named in a Facebook post by the Clarksville Police Department announcing the indictment. The charges relate to the deaths of his wife, Rachel Konen, aged 30, and his father-in-law, David Rodgers, aged 62, in 2021. Although Matthew Konen had initially faced charges for the double homicide in 2021, the Nashville District Attorney dropped the charges in 2023, as reported by local NBC affiliate WSMV.
Despite the initial dropping of charges, District Attorney General Robert Nash informed WSMV that should there be substantial evidence supporting guilt, the charges could be refiled through the grand jury process.
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On Jan. 20, 2021, Matthew Konen called 911 to report that he had allegedly beaten Rodgers to death because Rodgers had shot Rachel Konen, according to local news outlet ClarksvilleNow.com. Matthew Konen reportedly told dispatchers that he “pistol-whipped” Rodgers because he feared for his own life.
Matthew Konen can reportedly be heard on the 911 call screaming, “My father-in-law just shot my wife,” and explaining to dispatchers that in self-defense, he “incapacitated him and took the weapon away.” He reportedly told dispatchers that Rodgers was “unconscious.”
At the time, Matthew Konen was employed as a paramedic with the Nashville Fire Department. He reportedly informed dispatchers that Rachel Konen was “agonally breathing” and that he was going to get his paramedic bag out of his car to provide aid for her.
Neither Rodgers nor Rachel Konen survived their injuries. Matthew Konen was eventually arrested and charged with their murders. In June 2021, he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
But the Nashville DA filed a nolle prosequi in October 2023, dropping the charges against Matthew Konen unless a grand jury was presented with enough evidence for an indictment.
On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Matthew Konen on two counts of first-degree murder. The Clarksville Police Department noted in their statement that the indictment was sealed and that they would not be releasing further information.
Matthew Konen was taken into custody on Tuesday and is being held on $1 million bond at the Montgomery County Jail.
