Homepage / Nashville News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters

Winkler Jurors Discuss Deliberation Details

Some Did Not Believe All Of Winkler's Testimony

POSTED: 2:26 pm CDT July 10, 2007
UPDATED: 8:21 pm CDT July 10, 2007

A "Dateline NBC" report revealed secrets previously unknown about the jury in Mary Winkler’s murder trial.

Video: Winkler Jurors Detail Deliberation Quandaries

Winkler was convicted of shooting her preacher husband, Matthew Winkler, in the back.

During the trial, there was testimony of sexual abuse, financial schemes and a taped confession.

But what part of all of that did the jury believe?

Six jurors who listened to every minute of testimony in Winkler’s trial told "Dateline" they were sharply divided when they got the case.

“We all just blurted out whatever we thought,” one juror said.

“If somebody said something that another person didn't like, they would interject and make their statement. It was kind of like a big argument,” another juror said.

There was evidence, such as a taped confession, which prosecutors discounted as a bunch of trick questions.

Winkler’s financial troubles also came out in court. She had opened accounts at five banks and was involved in a check kiting scheme, according to testimony.

Prosecutors said she had mail sent to a post office box to hide their finances from her husband.

Mary Winkler also claimed Matthew Winkler forced her to wear certain items and sexually abused her.

But still not everyone on the jury was convinced, according to the jurors.

“We were supposed to believe everything that Mary said, but the shoe thing I didn't believe,” a male juror said.

“I believed every word that came out of her mouth and I believe that she still has more that she hasn't said,” a female juror said.

The debate dragged on for seven hours. It took a physical toll on some of the jurors, they said.

“I just couldn't eat. I was sick knowing we were having to determine whether this girl went to prison or not,” another juror said.

The key testimony came from a psychologist who said Mary Winkler suffered from post traumatic stress disorder stemming from the death of her sister when she was a young girl.

“She gave us the reasonable doubt,” a juror said.

The jury was instructed to consider five charges from criminally negligent homicide to first-degree murder.

They settled on voluntary manslaughter.

Mary Winkler is set to be released from a mental health institution sometime in August.

Matthew Winkler’s parents have also filed a $2 million wrongful death lawsuit against her.


Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

Before you splurge on that pricey remodeling project, beware. It may not pay you back when it's time to sell. More

Acupuncture, massage, or other complementary therapies could manage your type-2 diabetes. Find out whether they can help you. More

Having a tough time selling you home? Check out the five reasons why you may be having trouble and find professionals who can help. More

Sponsored Links

Consumer Info



Sponsored Content Provided by ARA