She?s out: Winkler makes bond, heads to Warren County
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Winkler walked out of McNairy County Jail yesterday clutching the hands of her attorneys, Leslie Ballin and Steve Farese. She held her chin close to her chest and tried not to look at reporters and photographers as she walked to a car driven by her father, Clark Freeman of Knoxville.
According to reports, Winkler?s vehicle was heading from Selmer, Tenn., to Warren County where she must live until her Oct. 30 trial. There was no activity last night at the home of Rudie and Kathy Thomsen where Winkler must live as a condition of her probation. A sign prominently displayed in the front yard says ?Private Proverty No Trespassing.?
Winkler, 32, is charged with killing her husband, preacher Matthew Winkler, with a blast from a 12-gauge shotgun as he was sleeping in bed. Winkler was youth minister at Central Church of Christ before the family moved to Selmer.
For local residents worried about personal safety now that Winkler is a member of the community for the next two months, her attorneys contend there is no reason for fear.
?This young lady is not a danger to the community, is not a danger to anyone, and she?s going to come back to court,? Ballin said.
The lawyers said they were not overly worried about Winkler?s safety, though the murder has drawn heavy news coverage.
?There are always nuts and cowards out there. Sure, we?ll have to be concerned somewhat,? Farese said. ?I get death threats. I?ve gotten death threats on this case, but that?s part of the territory.?
As part of her bond, Winkler is required to work at Cleaners Express and be supervised by the state probation office in McMinnville.
Farese said Winkler is eager to see her three young daughters, who are with their paternal grandparents, but no arrangements have been made for visits.
?She has to get used to the outside world again,? Farese said. ?Her emotional state is fragile. Certainly she?s apprehensive.?
In a statement to the TBI, Winkler said she shot her husband after a night of arguing over finances and other family problems. Defense lawyers have implied Mary Winkler was emotionally abused by her husband.
Farese said no one knows ?the events of that night? preceding the murder ?except Mary Carol and us.? He refused to provide details.
?I?m sure it would allay a lot of peoples? fears if they know the whole story, but as you know, they cannot know the whole story until we go to court,? Farese said.
Associated Press reporter Woody Baird contributed to this report.