By Beth Rucker

(Continued)

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Matthew Winkler's father, Dan Winkler, testified later Thursday that he talked to his daughter-in-law after her arrest. "I told her I wished I could take the handcuffs off and I could give her a big bear hug," he said.

He said Christians have a duty to forgive, but that Mary Winkler has never asked for forgiveness. He and his wife have custody of the children and have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Mary Winkler.

Churches of Christ do not consider themselves a denomination since every congregation is independently governed. They generally believe the Bible should be interpreted literally and that baptism by immersion in water is essential for salvation.

Farese glared and raised his voice several times as he asked Dan Winkler questions, suggesting that Winkler was trying to turn his grandchildren against their mother and keep them separated.

"What's your personal feeling: Do you think Mary should see her children today?" Farese asked. There was a long pause, and then Farese dramatically withdrew the question and sat down.

The trial could last up to two weeks. The jury — including a Baptist minister and woman who said she had been a victim of domestic abuse — will spend that time sequestered in a small-town motel without television, radio or cell phones.

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