Winkler seeks bond reduction
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Bond for Mary Winkler of Selmer, Tenn., was set a week ago at $750,000, but her family has been unable to raise the money, defense lawyer Steve Farese said.
In her petition, Winkler asked Judge Weber McCraw of McNairy County Circuit Court to set a $300,000 property bond, Farese said. Farese said he expected a decision from McCraw next week. No new bond hearing would be required, though McCraw could order one.
Should Winkler be released on bond, one condition is for her to live in Warren County and only leave the county to visit her attorneys or her children.
Winkler, 32, has been jailed since March 23, the day after her husband, Matthew Winkler, 31, was found dead at their Church of Christ parsonage. Her trial is set to begin Oct. 30.
At a hearing June 30, prosecutors asked McCraw to deny bond, arguing that Winkler is charged with a capital offense.
McCraw granted a defense request for bond, noting that prosecutors have not said if they plan to seek the death penalty for Winkler. Prosecutors have until 30 days before trial to make that decision.
Winkler told police she shot her husband in the back with a shotgun as he lay in bed March 22 following an evening of arguments over finances and other family matters.