Mary Winkler: The Preacher's Wife Who Shot Her Husband and Served Only 67 Days
She shot her preacher husband in the back with a shotgun, claimed years of hidden abuse — and served just 67 days in prison
Key Facts
What Happened
Matthew Winkler was a 31-year-old Church of Christ minister in Selmer, Tennessee — a small town where he was a respected community leader. His wife Mary was the quiet, obedient preacher's wife who taught Sunday school and raised their three young daughters: Patricia (8), Mary Alice (6), and Breanna (1). To the congregation, they were the ideal family. But according to Mary's later testimony, the reality behind closed doors was very different.
On March 22, 2006, members of the Fourth Street Church of Christ became concerned when Matthew failed to appear for the Wednesday evening service. Church elders went to the Winkler home and found Matthew dead in the bedroom from a shotgun wound to the back. Mary and the three girls were gone. An Amber Alert was issued, and Mary was apprehended the next day in Orange Beach, Alabama, 300 miles away.
At trial in April 2007, Mary Winkler testified that Matthew had been emotionally and physically abusive for years. She described being forced to participate in sexual acts she found degrading, being made to wear 'slutty' clothing and high-heeled shoes during sex, and enduring physical beatings that she hid from the congregation. She also revealed that Matthew had been involved in a Nigerian check fraud scheme that was about to be exposed, adding financial desperation to the picture. She testified that the shotgun went off accidentally during a confrontation, though prosecutors noted the gun had been retrieved from a closet and pointed at Matthew's back.
The jury convicted Mary of voluntary manslaughter rather than first-degree murder. On June 8, 2007, a judge sentenced her to 210 days in prison. Having already served 143 days in jail awaiting trial, she had only 67 days remaining — some of which she served in a mental health facility. She was released in August 2007 and placed on probation. In 2008, after a custody battle with Matthew's parents, Dan and Diane Winkler, Mary regained full custody of her three daughters. The case's lenient outcome shocked the nation and sparked fierce debate about gender bias in sentencing, the credibility of abuse claims, and whether justice was served.
Legal Breakdown: Domestic Violence Allegations
Hidden Abuse in 'Respectable' Families
Matthew Winkler was a minister — a pillar of the community. Mary was the dutiful preacher's wife. No one in their congregation suspected abuse. This case powerfully illustrates that domestic violence occurs in every demographic, profession, and community — including (and sometimes especially) in families where public image is carefully maintained. Religious communities, military families, law enforcement families, and other high-status households can create environments where victims feel enormous pressure to stay silent.
The Manslaughter-vs.-Murder Question
The jury's decision to convict Mary of voluntary manslaughter rather than first- or second-degree murder was based on her abuse testimony and the 'heat of passion' element. The 210-day sentence — with only 67 days actually served — was the product of Tennessee's sentencing guidelines for manslaughter convictions. Critics argued this was outrageously lenient for taking a human life; supporters argued it reflected the jury's belief that Mary was a battered woman who had reached her limit. The case remains one of the most debated sentences in modern American criminal law.
Custody After Killing a Spouse
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Winkler case is that Mary regained full custody of her three daughters in 2008 — the same children whose father she killed. Matthew's parents fought for custody and lost. The court determined that Mary's manslaughter conviction and abuse history did not make her an unfit parent. This outcome is extremely rare and reflects the specific circumstances of the case, but it highlights how courts weigh the best interests of the child against the criminal history of a parent.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Domestic violence hides behind every profession, religion, and social status. If you are being abused by a partner who has a 'respectable' public image, your experience is still valid and you deserve help.
- →Religious communities can create additional barriers to reporting abuse. Organizations like the FaithTrust Institute (faithtrustinstitute.org) specialize in addressing DV within religious contexts.
- →If you are experiencing abuse, document everything — even if you think no one will believe you. Keep records in a safe location outside the home.
- →Killing an abuser is not the answer. Protective orders, DV shelters, legal aid, and safety planning provide paths out of abusive relationships. Call the National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.
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