The Oprah Winfrey Show Season 22 Episode 3 Exclusive: Mary Winkler: The Wife Who Killed Her Pastor Husband

Exclusive: Mary Winkler: The Wife Who Killed Her Pastor Husband is an emotionally charged episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, where Oprah interviews Mary Winkler, who made headlines for killing her pastor husband. The episode begins with Oprah recalling the day when the news broke about Mary Winkler's arrest for shooting her husband, Matthew Winkler, in the parsonage. Oprah then introduces Mary Winkler, who tells her story of what led her to commit the unthinkable act.

Mary Winkler, a stay-at-home mother of three, was married to Matthew Winkler, a devout pastor, for over a decade. Mary tells Oprah that her husband was controlling and abusive towards her. Her marriage had turned into a nightmare, and she didn't know how to get out of it. Oprah sensitively questions Mary about the abuse she faced, trying to understand the extent of it.

Mary tells Oprah that her husband was controlling about everything, from what she wore to how she raised their children. She says that he didn't allow her to have any friends and would read her emails to keep tabs on her. Mary shares that her husband had once choked her, and she had lost consciousness. She had never reported the abuse as she felt trapped in the marriage and scared of her husband's reactions.

Mary then tells Oprah what led her to shoot her husband. She says that on the night of the shooting, her husband had come home after a church event and had started arguing with her. She had reached a breaking point and felt that she had no other option but to shoot him with the gun that he kept in the house.

Oprah delves deeper into the moments leading up to the shooting, trying to understand Mary's state of mind at the time. Mary explains that she was in a dissociative state and didn't fully comprehend what she had done until after she had done it. Oprah empathizes with Mary, acknowledging the severity of her experience.

The conversation then shifts to the aftermath of the shooting. Mary relays how she ran away with their children and was eventually tracked down by the police. She talks about the long and grueling trial that followed, where she was accused of premeditated murder. Mary had been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and was given a three-year sentence.

Oprah asks Mary how her children were dealing with the situation, and Mary says that they had to go through their own therapy sessions to process what had happened. Mary also shares how her children have forgiven her and how they are a source of strength for her.

The episode then ends with Oprah showing her support for Mary and her children and expressing her hope for Mary's future. Oprah emphasizes the importance of awareness and support networks for domestic abuse victims and encourages viewers to reach out and help those in need.

In conclusion, Exclusive: Mary Winkler: The Wife Who Killed Her Pastor Husband is a poignant and thought-provoking episode that sheds light on the severity of domestic abuse and its impact. Oprah's empathetic and compassionate approach to the interview makes this episode an emotional experience for the viewers. Mary Winkler's story is a reminder that there is always a story behind every crime, and it is essential to listen and understand before passing judgment.