Thursday, September 20, 2007

Bloody Mary

First she kills her husband, then she skates on it, now she wants the kids...
HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — A woman who killed her preacher husband with a shotgun asked a judge on Wednesday to grant her custody of her three children, saying she needs to help them heal from the loss of their father.

Mary Winkler told a Carroll County judge that she hasn't been able to visit, speak with or write her daughters since she was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in April.

"We can begin healing together and let G-d guide us," she said.

The children have been living with their paternal grandparents in Huntingdon, a small town in West Tennessee, since Winkler killed their father, Church of Christ preacher Matthew Winkler, in March 2006 in Selmer.

The grandparents, Dan and Diane Winkler, are seeking to terminate their former daughter-in-law's parental rights and adopt the girls.

Winkler argued she should at least be allowed some visitation rights immediately while the custody issue is considered.

Winkler said she is still undergoing counseling and is taking medication for anxiety and depression, but she said she is emotionally and psychologically stable enough to care for the children.[link] {emp. mine-LN}
G-d (imo) didn't seem to guide her up to this point. If she has made her peace with her maker, then I support that decision but I don't know what the judge will do in this situation. Needless to say, I feel she shouldn't be allowed within phone distance of the children who 'need healing'. The main reason the need to heal over the loss of their father is the woman who claims to want to help them. (note: I knew Matthew Winkler)
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17 comments:

James Shott said...

O'Reilly used part of her interview with Oprah as a piece of the Tuesday body language segment.

The body language expert wasn't convinced of Winkler's veracity, and commented that Oprah wasn't buying her story, either.

First OJ, now Mary Winkler. What do you have to do to get convicted in this country?

Oh, yeah, I nearly forgot. You have to make too much CO2 or make a profit.

Lord Nazh said...

kill dogs I guess ...

James Shott said...

And that.

Gracchi said...

Lord N- interesting I have no idea about this case- one thing I just want to know about- she was convicted of manslaughter not murder. What actually happened- did she shoot her husband say by mistake whilst cleaning the gun or go out and point the gun at him and shoot him purposively. This is an innocent question (I don't know anything about it)- I have to say given the tone you are adopting I think I'd want those kids with the grandparents.

Lord Nazh said...

Gracchi: she was convicted 'under severe duress' for the shooting. It was established that she did infact shoot him on purpose, but extenuating circumstances and all that.

As I noted, I knew Matt, so my judgment may not be the best in the world on this.

Ruthie said...

New layout! It's nice.

If she's capable of killing someone, even "under duress" (under which circumstances does one person kill another, incidentally?) I would hope the courts keep the children far away from her.

The kids certainly will need to heal from the loss of their father, and she would do well to remember that it is she who caused the loss.

I'm not unsympathetic to whatever emotional state prompted her to turn violent, or to her allegations of abuse, but no parent who intentionally kills their children's other parent, except in self-defense, should retain custody of the children.

youdontknowme said...

What were these extenuating circumstances? Was he beating her up on a regular basis? If so she should get custody of the children.

If she is just a homicidal maniac then she should not be allowed to have any contact with her children.

lady macleod said...

I don't know about this one, knowing that I am a mother influences my opinion and I must say I don't know enough about the case. I think what is best for the children should be the guiding light - who decides that is always tricky..

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Yes, I am wondering about the "extenuating circumstances" as well. But I should think the children have had enough trauma and should stay with their grandparents.

BlacquesJacquesShellacques said...

"Was he beating her up on a regular basis? If so she should get custody of the children."

There are solutions to such a problem other than a shotgun, don'cha know? Not that I believe for one moment that there were any beatings.

She is a homicidal maniac, and she is a maniac pure and simple for wishing to further torment her family.

What has happened to you my American friends? You now believe every foolish fairy tale that comes along. Global warming. Universal health care. Battered Woman Syndrome. Blood for oil. The sky is falling.

Wolfie said...

We need details in order to pass a judgement, as would the court.

Can't say more than that.

Lord Nazh said...

Ruthie: you just noticed the new layout :(

Wolfie: I'm not asking you to make a judgement, I'm personally involved (in that I knew Matt) so I am not the best person to ask

chrome said...

Mary Winkler is a cold blooded murderer and got away with it.This was no accident and divorce is much cheaper and easier. This woman SHOULD be spending the rest of her miserable life in prison and never see those kids again.

Anonymous said...

I took care of my supposedly sick wife for 8 years and then I came home one day and my house was empty and all of my money was gone. Then she proceeded to ask for the max alimony from the court for life (after 8 year marriage). She lied, stole, took my child from me and I still pay $5000/month in alimony. As a man, I would gladly walk around naked in high heels than suffer the abuse I have taken. Any takers...I will parade around nude in heels nightly if you pay my alimony. :)

Sincerely,
TiedToTheWhippinPost

Anonymous said...

In the article, the author didn't know how to correctly spell GOD. That's G-O-D. Not G-D.

James Higham said...

That's often the way. She should be kept at a distance.

The Third Man said...

She seems a little nuts. That said, it also seems the jury was presented with compelling evidence to support the motive of abuse.

Maybe later, when the children are older, they might shed a little more light on the issue.

In the meantime, for whatever reason, Mary is clearly traumatised and in no fit state to continue parenting her children.

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