SELMER, Tenn. (ABP) — Mary Winkler, the woman charged with fatally shooting her pastor husband, made her first appearance in court March 27, one day before more than 500 mourners attended the Church of Christ pastor's funeral.
Winkler did not have to enter a plea at the arraignment, although a judge entered a plea of “not guilty” on her behalf. Her only words were “No, sir” when the judge asked if she had any questions about her rights.
Less than 24 hours later, mourners crowded into Fourth Street Church of Christ for Matthew Winkler's funeral. Winkler's father, Dan Winkler, presided over the ceremony. News media were not allowed in.
Despite a reported confession to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents, who told reporters Winkler divulged why she shot her husband, the agents have declined to release a motive. Winkler's defense attorneys told reporters they have not necessarily accepted her statement to investigators as a valid confession.
“We will be looking at what condition she was held in, if she was without sleep or food, or any pressures that may have been lent [sic] upon her,” Leslie Ballin, a defense team member, said in the statement.
Some of that pressure could have been internal, according to one pastoral counselor.
Tony Rankin, who serves as a pastoral and family counselor for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, said pastoral spouses like Mary Winkler often endure many pressures unknown to parishioners. Rankin said he deals each month with more than two dozen instances of silently suffering spouses. he also speaks on the topic to thousands of pastor's wives and families at conferences each year.
While Rankin didn't speculate on Winker's specific case, he said unfair expectations and a “quest for perfectionism” often take a toll on families in the ministry.
“There is this desire by staff members to be perfect in every way,” said Rankin, who also has had a private counseling practice for the last 15 years. “You start to forget what normal is.”
Rankin also said that unless expectations — from spouses, children and congregants — are discussed, they “tend to get out of hand very quickly.” Instead, authentic, transparent dialogue between family members and a capable counselor often “helps them maintain a sense of reality.”
Reality may set in for Winkler on March 30, when she will next appear in the McNairy County General Sessions Court. There the state will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial. A bail amount will be set on March 30 as well. Until then, Winkler remains in the McNairy County Jail.
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