That is precisely why I find it interesting that there are people who dislike Matthew Winkler's family without knowing anything about them other than the inferences made by Mary Winkler's attorneys.
You've said that you don't like the Winklers because of your perception of smugness about them (from viewing them on t.v.?), and that it caused you to be sympathetic toward Mary.
I've heard others say the Winklers must have this or that negative character traits because they are members of the church of Christ, or that they are coldhearted because their emotions weren't on public display.
The facts remain that the Winklers were called at a vacation cabin, in the middle of the night, on Dan Winkler's birthday. They were told that their son had been shot dead, and that his family was missing. Mary requested that they - not her own family - take custody of the children. Mary knew the Winklers. Her actions indicate, to me, that she held them in utmost regard.
Dan and Diane Winkler weren't the ones who made the situation. Their son was shot with a shotgun at point blank range as he lay sleeping in his bed. Mary is the one who did that horrible deed. They have done nothing but conduct themselves with dignity from the outset. Lesser people might have retaliated by trashing Mary, as she began trashing their son, and the father of their grandchildren, through her attorneys.
"None of us knows what goes on behind closed doors."
With absolutely no proof, and only the words of a cold-blooded killer (even if they were concocted by very "good" attorneys), some choose to believe Mary is a victim of spousal abuse. We will never know Matthew's version of what went on behind closed doors.
I know one thing that went on behind their closed doors - she killed her husband, the father of her children, the Winklers' son. She didn't call for help. She made several trips back and forth to the van, as he lay dying, before she fled the scene. Two of the items she took with her were the weapon (packed neatly in its case) used to kill Matthew, and the document that indicated her involvement in an illegal scheme for money.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, of course; but, I do find it interesting how people arrive at their opinions.
I am quite familiar with the case. The prosecutor and the judge live near by and go to our church.