Based on the true story of Matthew Winkler, a beloved minister who, in 2006, was found shot and killed in his Selmer, Tennessee home, his wife and young daughters missing. Authorities soon zeroed in on Matthew’s wife, Mary, as the prime suspect in the murder. After her capture, the residents of Selmer were left to wonder what would drive Mary to shoot her husband in the back as he slept. They would get their answers during her trial, when what went on behind the closed doors of this seemingly perfect family was revealed for all to see.
Based on the true crime book by Diane Fanning, THE PASTOR’S WIFE
When Pastor Matthew Winkler was found dead at his Fourth Street Church of Christ parsonage in Selmer, Tennessee, both police investigators and parishioners were shaken and mystified: How could evil strike this cradle of faith? Meanwhile, Mrs. Winkler and her three daughters were still missing…
A frantic search for Mary Winkler and the girls ensued. Once they were found, on a beach in Alabama, Mary was charged with murdering her husband in cold blood. But why did Mary pull the trigger? What sexual and psychological abuses did she allege she had suffered?
In the months that followed, the crime—and the Winkler’s marriage—would be exposed by the national media; Mary herself even appeared on Oprah. Set in a world of domineering men, obedient wives, and unshakable faith, this is the true story about what happened to Matthew Winkler and THE PASTOR’S WIFE
From the Back Cover
A HOUSE OF WORSHIP
When Pastor Matthew Winkler was found dead at his Fourth Street Church of Christ parsonage in Selmer, Tennessee, both police investigators and parishioners were shaken and mystified: How could evil strike this cradle of faith? Meanwhile, Mrs. Winkler and her three daughters were still missing…
A FAMILY SHROUDED IN SIN
A frantic search for Mary Winkler and the girls ensued. Once they were found, on a beach in Alabama, Mary was charged with murdering her husband in cold blood. But why did Mary pull the trigger? What sexual and psychological abuses did she allege she had suffered?
A CASE THAT SHOCKED THE NATION
In the months that followed, the crime—and the Winkler’s marriage—would be exposed by the national media; Mary herself even appeared on Oprah. Set in a world of domineering men, obedient wives, and unshakable faith, this is the true story about what happened to Matthew Winkler and THE PASTOR’S WIFE
Starring: Rose McGowan, Martin Cummins, Julia Sarah Stone, Lilah Fitzgerald, Eric Keenleyside, Susan Hogan,Michael Shanks Genre: True Story
Sat Nov 5 at 8 PM
Sun Nov 6 at 12 AM
Sun Nov 6 at 8 PM
Mon Nov 7 at 12 AM
Please visit www.dianefanning.com for a complete list of Diane Fanning’s true crime books as well as her mystery and crime novels with lead character, Det. Lucinda Pierce.
ImaginePublicity 
I watched this Movie last night and was really shaken at this exposure of physical, mental, sexual and emotional violence which occurred in this Pastor’s home. I believe it was not murder but accidental as it seems that she tripped on the bedclothes on the floor when she was in a state of extreme shock at the time due to the extreme domestic violence she had been through for years and which had happened on the night before.
I take issue with the innuendo at the end that maybe she was a very clever murderer. As a survivor of domestic violence I know how difficult it must have been for her to have to publicly state in detail just what she had been through and why she kept up the charade of perfection in her truly terrible travesty of a marriage – like so many women do.
Her terror was such that she was sleepwalking through her daily life and could barely think.
Thank you Diana for shining a light on this truly evil aspect of the many psycho men who pretend to be really nice in order to get themselves a compliant punching bag for a wife/slave..
Very impressive, Diane! A tribute to your fine book…. Hope the movie holds a candle to it…. Did they really choose a blonde movie star looking actress as in the graphic above instead of the real plain Jane looking Mary? Why must they always stamp “Hollywood” on everyone’s looks? it’s just not reality!
Ladyjustice
Very impressive, Diane! A tribute to your fine book… Hope the movie holds a candle to it…. Did they really chose a blonde movie star type for the role as in the graphic above? In all the media events I’ve seen about the real Mary, she is very plain looking.Must they “Hollywood “everyone? It’s just not reallty…
Ladyjustice