Psychologist convicted in murder case, sentenced to life for killing ex-fiancee

From the Dallas Morning News

A licensed psychologist who met a woman on Match.com and became engaged to her was convicted Friday of her murder.

Lester Winningham, 59, was convicted in the death of Deborah Houchin, a licensed family therapist.

The two had met through the online dating service and later became colleagues at the Counseling Center in Arlington, officials said.

In July 2005, the 56-year-old woman's body was found burned beyond recognition in Cooke County.

“Sometimes, things fit,” said Tiffany Burks, an assistant Tarrant County district attorney. ”When Deborah Houchin was at her home, the defendant came over and shot her in the back three times.” Ms. Houchin’s blood, she told jurors, was found in the trunk of Mr. Winningham’s car.

Mr. Winningham moved to Arlington from Temple to live with Ms. Houchin and join her and other clinicians at the Mitchell Boulevard office. Ms. Houchin, prosecutors said, assisted Mr. Winningham in finding clients and building his practice. By Christmas 2004, they were engaged.

Deborah Houchin’s sister, Marlene Wallem testified she suggested to her sister that she needed to get a prenuptial agreement.

“He got so mad,” Ms. Wallem said. “After that, he wouldn’t touch her or kiss her.”

Less than a week after the engagement, the couple had broken up but continued to date off and on, she said.

One month before she was found dead, Ms. Houchin said her sister issued a dire warning. “She told me, ‘if anything happens to me, make sure the police talk to Les,” Ms. Wallem testified.

Mr. Winningham’s attorney, Bill Ray, said investigators neglected to look at other suspects. Ms. Houchin, he said, changed her online dating profile and drew some 400 hits from other men -- all of whom could be suspects.

“She received a good deal of response,” Mr. Ray said. “We don’t know who all those people are.”

Mr. Ray had attacked the state’s case as largely circumstantial. He told jurors there was no physical evidence tying his client to the slaying.

“The only piece of evidence in this case is the blood in the back of the car,” he told jurors Friday during close arguments.

“We don’t know how it got there. We don’t know how long it’s been there,” Mr. Ray said.

Mr. Wnningham, he said, did not have time to dump a body in Cooke County, drive 90 minutes to Arlington, clean up evidence and report to work.

“The car didn’t smell like gasoline,” Mr. Ray said. “He didn’t smell like gasoline.”

Prosecutors portrayed Mr. Winningham has dejected suitor who seethed over his break-up with Ms. Houchin.

“There is no mystery killer,” said Greg Miller, an assistant Tarrant County district attorney. “He’s sitting right in this courtroom.”