By Associate Editor Joe May
HUNTINGDON, Tenn. (BNc)- Mary Winkler has been authorized to see information about a trust fund set up for her three daughters.
Winkler, who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in a sensational trial in April 2007, shot her husband Matthew Winkler in the back in March 2006 as he lay in bed. At the time of his murder, he was the minister for the Fourth Street congregation in Selmer, Tenn.
Matthew Winkler’s parents, Dan and Diane Winkler, have been raising the couple’s children since their father’s murder. They are suing to terminate Mary Winkler’s parental rights so they can adopt the children.
Carroll County Chancery Judge Ron Harmon ordered trust fund executors to provide information to Mary Winkler’s defense team within 14 days. Among the items Winkler’s attorneys are asking for is information on the fund’s value, what expenses have been paid out of the fund and to whom and the reason for the expenditures.
In another development, Harmon agreed to take into consideration the Winklers’ request for a gag order on all proceedings that would ban video cameras and possibly attendance at any hearings.
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20 February 2008 at 7:45 pm
I am having a hard time understanding why a Judge would feel she should have any information about the trust fund for her girls. She is the reason they don’t have a father.
20 February 2008 at 8:13 pm
I have to agree with Victoria on this one. She gave up her rights when she shot him in the back. If she was having problems in her marriage, all she had to do was pack a bag and leave, she didn’t have to kill him. She lies, goes to bar where she drinks and smokes (it’s on YouTube) and sets a bad example for her girls all around. She has no rights at this point because she hasn’t proven herself trustworthy.
And I wonder why she wants it all kept so secret? Something sneaky and a bit underhanded by her actions from the day her husband died…. no, sense before he died because she was even trying to make a quick buck back then and got caught up in internet scams and he was very upset with her over it all.
She has a college degree ~ I have a high school degree and even I know not to fall for those. Money doesn’t come easy, we have to work for it and we need to learn to earn it honestly. It’s called using common sense and the Bible as our guide.
21 February 2008 at 6:17 pm
What part of the churches of Christ don’t you understand? She could not just pack a bag and go, not really. But the consequences would have been nothing compared to murder.
As for the trust fund thing, if they are using a fund set up for the girls’ college funds, then it is illegal for them to use it for terminating her parental rights. It’s called bait and switch and it is illegal. So that’s the big deal.
It’s funny how no one thinks anything could have possibly been Matthew’s fault. Marriages do not generally fall apart with just one person, it takes 2 to make it or break it.
She does not have a college degree IIRC, she has some college education.
But some of the smartest people in the world have no common sense.
21 February 2008 at 9:14 pm
I praise God for the good souls who are helping these precious kids, but we must remember that the world looks after their own, too. Jesus warns us that dealings with the court will more than likely disadvantage the Christian.
26 February 2008 at 1:56 am
Knowing the Winkler Family (Matthew’s Grandfather was my major instructor in undergrad and I was a co-workwer with his Uncle). If Matthew had the problems she attributes to him (and we do not know the veracity or lack thereof of her accusassions), she sould have talked with his mother, aunt, or grandmother and they would have done what they could to help.
Even if I did not know the Winklers — their actions in the early part of this tragedy demonstrates their love for and care for her. They were quick to offer forgiveness, even when the world was against her.
As for murder being a better option in the CoC than splitting up a marriage. I beg to differ. Yes such would hurt his ministry, yes they both would suffer criticism. But now he cannot defend himself, and she faces criticism just the same — if not harsher. With a divorce, the children would have access to both parents. Is divorce right — no, but neither is murder.
26 February 2008 at 2:37 am
God WILL judge all of us and His judgment will be CORRECT. The boy is dead and we don’t know if she is telling the truth. 1 Cor. 6 should apply to ALL parties.