Ep 1. Mary Winkler

In the season 6 premiere of Snapped, we are introduced to Mary Winkler, a Tennessee mother of three who is convicted for the murder of her husband, Matthew Winkler. Mary had always been seen as a kind, gentle and loving woman, with no history of violence or aggression. However, on March 22, 2006, Mary shocked the community when she went missing, leaving her three young daughters behind.

The police launched a search for Mary and her family, eventually finding Matthew's dead body in their home. Matthew had been shot in the back, and the bullet had pierced his heart, killing him instantly. The police were shocked to find that Mary was missing, and began to suspect that she may have been involved in her husband's murder.

Days after the murder, Mary was found by police in Alabama, driving her minivan, with a loaded shotgun in the front seat. She was arrested and brought back to Tennessee, where she was charged with murder.

As Mary's trial began, the prosecution presented evidence that Mary had purchased the shotgun just weeks before the murder, and had traveled to Alabama with her children, taking the shotgun with her. They argued that Mary's motive for murder was financial, as Matthew had been controlling the family's finances and had threatened to cut Mary off from the family's funds.

The defense argued that Mary had acted in self-defense, claiming that Matthew had been physically and emotionally abusive towards her, and that she had suffered from depression. They also presented testimony from Mary's family and friends, who described her as a loving and devoted mother.

As the trial continued, Mary's demeanor in court was calm and composed. She often appeared tearful when discussing her husband's death, but showed little signs of aggression or anger. This led some to question whether Mary was capable of murder.

In the end, the jury found Mary guilty of voluntary manslaughter, a lesser charge than the original murder charge. She was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by probation.

The episode ends with interviews with Mary's family and friends, who express their shock and disbelief at what had happened. Many struggle to reconcile the kind and gentle woman they knew with the woman who had been convicted of murder.

Overall, the episode provides a fascinating look at a case that shocked a community and raised questions about the complexity of human behavior and the limits of our understanding of others. It is a sobering reminder that even those closest to us may be capable of dark and violent acts.