Winkler case strikes a nerve
It's been the big story of the past two weeks - the Louis "Mick" Winkler murder trial.On Saturday, a jury found Winkler guilty of gunning down his estranged wife Rebecca, inside her home in Little River back in March of 2006. Over most of the past four days, that same jury has been hearing testimony on whether or not Winkler should pay for the crime with his own life.
Winkler played it very straight during the initial phase of the trial. But, once the jury convicted him, his courtroom demeanor changed dramatically. He shocked many of the court observers on Monday morning when he looked at several of the investigators present in court and mouthed the words, "f*** you" to them. When he took the stand in his own defense, Winkler tried to pin the crime on Rebecca's first husband, and then got into a verbal smackdown with Solicitor Greg Hembree as the prosecutor pointed out several contradictions in his testimony.
We've been there every step of the way. News 13's Jody Barr has done an amazing job covering the trial, since it started. He's spent countless hours over the past week and a half chronicling the trial both online, and through multiple live reports from the courthouse in Conway in our newscasts.
Jody's coverage has been exceptional, and it's clear that you are watching.
This week, our partners at scnow.com activated a new service called Reader Reaction, where people who log on to our website can post their comments on the biggest stories of the day.
The reaction on the Winkler case has been very interesting. Emotions, it's fair to say, are running high. And based on the reaction so far, if it was up to many of you, Winkler would be the next inmate on South Carolina's Death Row.
Will the jury agree?
We'll just have to wait and see.
Posted by
on 02/07 at 03:50 PM
That actually surprised me to see him mouthing the words “f*** you”..not only on the news but on promos as well..
I would have thought the public would have eaten you guys alive for that..especially those with young viewers in their families..
Personally..after working on several prisons in South Carolina..and seeing how they have developed into state-of-the-art Comfort Inn type facilities..complete with basketball courts..tennis courts and flat screen television lounges…I can easily see why he doesnt want Death Row..
Death Row would mean 15 to 20 years of taxpayers feeding him 3 meals a day..and possibly even studying him to see why criminals behave the way they do..then that dreadful appeals process and the never ending stay of execution ordeals that he would be forced to go through..
All of this providing he doesnt croak before we get the chance to juice him..he looks to be unhealthy anyway..a tad bit over-weight..and has his fair share of years on him..
But as you said..we will just have to wait and see what level of comfort he is awarded..
Jody Barr is definitely the shining star in all of this..that “little fella” can go the distance..above and beyond at the drop of a hat..I’d love to see more of him..