Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

On Tuesday September 26, a McMinn county judge decided to allow the use of potentially incriminating statements against a minister’s wife accused of shooting her husband. The judge has also granted a continuance in the case extending the court date to February 2007. Mary Winkler faces charges in the March 22 shooting death of her husband, a popular Selmer minister.

Mrs. Winkler was arrested in Alabama on March 23. Her Tennessee criminal attorney sought to suppress statements she made to the Alabama authorities. The attorney alleged that the arrest was improper. The attorney also claimed that the authorities had no arrest warrant and no probable cause when the arrest was made.

The body of Matthew Winkler was discovered March 22nd in the home that the couple shared with their three children. The discovery was made after the Winklers failed to show up for an evening church service. Prosecutors have alleged that Mrs. Winkler was moving money between several checking accounts and that the family’s money problems were the motive for the killing. The couple’s children are currently living with relatives. Mrs. Winkler is free on bond and living with a friend in McMinville.

Tennessee criminal defense attorneys have a duty to thoroughly examine every possible suppression issue. As in this case, the courts have to make difficult decisions which have lasting effects on criminal cases.

Source: www.independantappeal.com/html/winkler/