Defense attorneys put Winkler?s dad on hot seat
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Dan Winkler, who has custody of Matthew and Mary Winklers? three daughters, ages 2, 7, and 9, denied ?poisoning the minds? of the three children who he took custody of in Orange Beach, Ala., after they were found with their mother the day following the murder.
The allegations against the longtime minister came after prosecutors hinted they would put the 9-year-old girl on the stand to testify as to what she saw and heard the morning of her father?s killing. However, the defense maintained the girl had at first known nothing about the events, but had since had a change of heart, provoking their suspicions.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Steve Farese suggested Dan Winkler had blocked attempts for Mary Winkler to visit with her children while she was free on bond and living in McMinnville.
?She could have been seen as a loving mother,? Farese said, suggesting Dan Winkler did not want his former daughter-in-law being viewed in a positive light.
Farese also questioned why Dan Winkler has sued Mary Winkler for $2 million on behalf of the three children.
?You know she doesn?t have any money,? Farese said of the lawsuit.
In retort, Dan Winkler pointed out he did not want Mary Winkler to benefit in any way from his son?s death.
?We wanted to make sure she didn?t benefit from this,? Dan Winkler testified, noting he suspected she may have sold family photos to various publications.
Along with questions about the children?s time in the custody of Dan Winkler, the minister discussed two incidents he was told about where his son had bad reactions to medications, one of which happened in Warren County during his time as youth minister at Central Church of Christ.
Specifically, Dan Winkler said his son revealed he had become paranoid after taking medication, thinking someone was trying to kill him, at one time locking his wife out of the house. However, Dan Winkler testified Mary Winkler ?laughed off? the stories, just saying her husband should not take those medications again.
Dan Winkler also offered evidence in the case, saying he found a tackle box containing shotgun shells in back of the van Mary Winkler used to flee after the murder. The minister said he found them while cleaning the van weeks after bringing it back from Alabama. His discovery prompted questions by Farese as to how lawmen could have missed potential evidence during a careful search of the van.
With the cross-examination of Dan Winkler taking much of the day, a handful of witnesses followed him on the stand.
? Selmer Elementary School teacher Kacey Broadway testified she saw Mary Winkler upset and talking on her cellphone most of the day leading up to the killing. The state suggested she was trying to work out financial problems brought on by her check kiting scheme before her husband found out.
? Dr. Drew Eason, an elder with the Fourth Street Church of Christ in Selmer and a medical doctor, testified he and other members of the church found the victim dead on his bedroom floor when they arrived at his house to find out why he was not at church. The discovery was made more than 12 hours after lawmen believe he was killed.
Eason was also questioned about treating Mary Winkler for a swollen jaw, a problem he said he felt was brought on by an abscessed tooth. The defense suggested Eason had kept bad records and that his assessment of the reason for her swollen jaw could be incorrect.
? Roger Rickman of Selmer Police Department submitted pictures of the crime scene, noting he noticed the phone was not connected to the phone cord. The prosecution is expected to suggest she disconnected the phone so her dying husband could not call for help.
The trial will continue this morning at 9 a.m. and is being carried live on Channel 5+, located at Channel 50 on Charter cable.