Judge refuses to lower Winkler?s bond
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Mary Winkler, 32, has been held since March 23, the day after her husband, Matthew Winkler, 31, was found dead of a shotgun wound at their home in Selmer, about 80 miles east of Memphis.
Winkler?s first-degree murder trial is set for Oct. 30.
In a written order issued this week, Judge Weber McCraw ruled the bond he set July 7 is ?fair and reasonable? and will stand.
McCraw noted that Winkler fled Tennessee with her three young daughters the day her husband?s body was found. They were picked up by police the next day in Orange Beach, Ala., about 340 miles from Selmer.
If Winkler should make the $750,000 bond, one of the conditions of her release is for her to live in Warren County and only leave the county to meet with her children and her attorneys.
Winkler?s attorney, Steve Farese, sought the reduction because he said his client is financially unable to post bond. Prosecutors oppose bond.
Winkler told police she shot her husband in the back with a shotgun as he lay in bed on the morning of March 22 following an evening of arguments over finances and other family matters.
Mr. Winkler served at youth minister at Central Church of Christ in McMinnville for about three years before the family moved to Selmer. Prosecutors could still opt to try Mary Winkler?s case as a death penalty case.