“20/20” Uncovers the Shocking Case of Mary Winkler
On March 22, 2006, the brutal murder of minister Matthew Winkler sent shockwaves through the small town of Selmer, Tennessee. His wife, Mary, and their three children vanished shortly after, leaving behind a trail of suspicion and unanswered questions.
A Suspect Emerges
As police searched for the missing family, a gray minivan matching the description of their vehicle was spotted in Orange Beach, Alabama. Inside, they found Mary Winkler and her daughters. What began as a possible kidnapping investigation swiftly turned into a homicide probe.
Mary Winkler, once thought of as a victim, became a suspect in her husband’s murder. She admitted to holding the gun but claimed she did not pull the trigger, nor could she remember doing so.
A Twisted Motive
As the investigation delved deeper, a possible motive emerged: financial fraud. Mary Winkler was implicated in a “lottery scam,” where she allegedly cashed counterfeit checks and faced charges of “check-kiting.”
Investigators believed that Mary Winkler killed her husband to cover up her illegal activities, a theory supported by her attempts to hide her financial woes and change her mailing address and bank accounts.
The Trial of the Century
In April 2007, the trial began, capturing national attention. Mary Winkler testified in her defense, accusing Matthew of physical and sexual abuse, including forced and unnatural sex acts.
The jury found Mary Winkler guilty of voluntary manslaughter, rejecting her claims of self-defense. She was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison, but only served one more week due to time already served and was released to a mental health facility for 60 days.
Aftermath and Legacy
Following the verdict, a custody battle ensued between Mary Winkler and Matthew Winkler’s parents. After an informal agreement, Mary regained custody of her daughters in 2008.
Years later, Mary Winkler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Today, she lives a quiet life with her daughters, preferring not to dwell on the past. The case of Mary Winkler remains a cautionary tale, highlighting the complex dynamics of domestic abuse, financial deception, and the fragility of justice.
