The Mary Winkler Trial

Today was the fourth day of covering the Mary Winkler Trial here in Selmer, Tennessee. We are working along side our sister station, WREG, in Memphis. The first three days of the trial, we were able to go inside the courtroom and actually sit down and listen to the jury selection process. However, as the trial actually got underway today, we had to spend most of our time inside the satellite truck. The reason, the proceedings are now on TV. So the reporter from WREG and I, sat in our sat truck, writing down the tape code, for the most interesting parts of the trial.

We are, of course, recording the trial. As the tape machine rolls, it has a tape code, kind of like the tape counter on your VCR. We write that code down when we hear something interesting. It allows us to quickly find that spot on the tape later. If we were sitting in the courtroom listening, when we started to work later, we would be lost trying to find the information we need.

Friday's testimony is expected to include an audio recording made by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. ABI investigators made the tape after Mary Winkler's arrest in March of 2006. At some point, very soon, we expect Matthew and Mary's Winkler's oldest daughter, Patricia to take the stand. Once that happens, the camera inside the courtroom will be turned off. So those are a few things to watch for over the next few days.