By David J. Krajicek

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(Continued)

"There are no winners," added Ballin. "We're left with the memory of Matthew Winkler. And even though there have been a lot of negative things said about him in this trial, there was a good side to him, too. You heard that from Mary, 'He could be so good at times.' This is a case about two people who had a tumultuous marriage of some 10 years that ended in tragedyNothing good about it.

The issue of permanent custody of the Winkler's three daughters is unresolved.

The children are in the custody of Matthew's parents, Dan and Diane Winkler of Huntingdon. A separate custody case is pending in Juvenile Court in Jackson, Tenn.

 

The voluntary manslaughter verdict cleared up one contingency: Mary Winkler could have had her parental rights terminated if she had been sentenced to eight years or more.

In addition to the custody case, Dan and Diane Winkler have filed a $2 million wrongful death civil lawsuit against Mary Winkler on behalf of the children.

The parents had expressed support for the daughter-in-law initially after the shooting, but the relationship became estranged when it became clear that her defense would hinge on embarrassing allegations of abuse by their son.

Since last fall, defense attorneys have charged that the grandparents have impeded Mary Winkler's attempts to see her children. On the witness stand, she revealed she has seen her daughters just twice since she was released on bond last August.

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By, David J. Krajicek