48 Hours — “Invitation to a Murder” (December 17, 2025)

Podcast Host: CBS News
Main Correspondent: Multiple (including detectives, family, and key witnesses)
Episode Theme: Unraveling the murder of Donna Winger, the botched investigation, and the ultimate quest for justice

Episode Overview

This episode of "48 Hours" delves deep into the chilling and convoluted case of Donna Winger’s murder in Springfield, Illinois, in 1995. What began as a seemingly open-and-shut case of home invasion and spousal heroism slowly unravels over years, revealing layers of deception, investigative missteps, and the relentless pursuit of truth by a handful of persistent voices. The episode expertly walks listeners through the progression from tragedy, to investigation, to eventual exoneration and conviction, presenting firsthand accounts from detectives, family members, and key witnesses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime Scene & Initial Assumptions

• First 911 Call & Immediate Aftermath
  • [04:30] Mark Winger calls 911: “He beat my wife. I shot him. Please help me.”
  • Mark describes finding his wife Donna being bludgeoned by a stranger in their home, and shooting the assailant (Roger Harrington).
• Donna’s Background and Community Perception
  • Donna and Mark were seen as a devoted couple, finally able to adopt a child after struggling with infertility. Their community views them as a model family.
  • Donna’s mother, Sarah Jane Drescher: “She was just so enthused…to be a mommy. I mean, that was the best for her.” ([12:00])
• Roger Harrington’s Introduction
  • [16:40] Donna had a disturbing shuttle ride from the airport with Harrington, who made bizarre and threatening comments. She feels unsettled, recounting, “He was telling Donna that sometimes while he drives, this godlike character would come to him…”
  • Mark complains to Harrington’s boss about Donna's ride.

2. The Initial Police Investigation

• Winger’s Account & Official Reactions

  • Mark claims he was in the basement, heard a commotion, found Donna being attacked, and shot Harrington.
  • Investigators find that physical evidence broadly matches his story. Detective Charlie Cox notes: “Basic evidence…matched up with what he was saying. Everything. Everything matched up.” ([37:30])
  • Police view Winger as a heroic husband: “At least here in my mind, you’re somewhat of a hero. I said, you’ve killed the person who was killing your wife.” ([39:30])
  • Harrington’s prior mental health issues and erratic behavior reinforce police perceptions.
  • The case is quickly closed as self-defense.

• Family Reactions

  • Winger’s and Donna’s families support him, emphasizing their belief in his innocence and loss.
  • Harrington’s family vehemently disputes the narrative, expressing doubt that Roger was capable of such violence. Sister Barbara Howell: “There is no way. You guys are so wrong. I knew he was not capable.” ([44:00])
  • Detective Doug Williamson harbors doubts (“I was never convinced”) but is overruled by superiors.

3. Red Flags & The Case Unravels

• Unanswered Questions

  • Detective Williamson questions why Donna would have let in a man she feared, and why there was no forced entry.
  • The note in Harrington’s car listing Winger’s name, address, and "4:30 pm" contradicts Mark’s claim they’d never met or scheduled an appointment. ([50:30])
  • Williamson's concerns are brushed aside by the department.

• Winger’s Suspicious Behavior

  • Winger repeatedly visits the police station, initially to reclaim his gun and later, soon after Donna’s death, announces he’s remarrying their nanny.
  • Cox: “He kept coming in. I kept feeling like he was trying to find out if we were checking into anything. And I went back to Doug and said, something’s wrong here. Big time.” ([56:00])

4. The Break in the Case: A Friend’s Confession

• Three Years Later: Deanne Schultz Comes Forward
  • Donna’s best friend Deanne reveals she and Mark had an affair starting before Donna’s murder.
  • [01:00:30] "He mentioned that it would be easier if Donna just died."
  • Deanne testifies that Winger talked about killing his wife and “getting rid of” Harrington.
  • “He said he would be out of town, and he mentioned me coming and finding Donna.” ([01:01:50])
  • This new information reopens the case.

5. Forensic Fumbles & Pivotal Evidence

• The Polaroids
  • Three previously overlooked instant photos taken at the scene prove critical.
  • Barringer’s photographs contradict Mark’s account of the bodies’ positions.
  • Charlie Cox: “The placement of that body in that photo blew Mark’s story out of the water. It was over.” ([01:06:20])
  • Police reconstruct the crime, concluding the initial self-defense narrative is physically impossible.

6. Prosecution and Trial

• Re-interpreting the Evidence

  • Detectives realize they were manipulated. Winger took advantage of Harrington’s instability, inviting him to the home and staging the scene.
  • Prosecutor John Schmidt: “If it’s a meeting, it’s a murder. What’s Roger Harrington doing in the house?” ([01:20:30])
  • Ray Duffy from the van company confirms Winger scheduled the appointment with Harrington.
  • Harrington, unarmed, had only a coffee mug and cigarettes inside, despite a weapon in his car.

• Trial Challenges

  • Defense tries to impeach Deanne’s credibility due to mental health struggles, but her testimony proves persuasive.
  • The jurors focus on the forensic evidence (the Polaroids) and Winger’s lack of explanation for the note.

7. The Verdict and Aftermath

• Guilty Verdict

  • Jury deliberates 13 hours, concluding Mark Winger is guilty. ([01:36:00])
  • Donna’s stepfather, Ira Drescher: “I have no idea why he did it, and I think I will never understand why he did it.” ([01:39:00])
  • Winger’s parents maintain his innocence, but the evidence is overwhelming.

• Winger’s Prison Plot

  • While in prison, Winger tries to orchestrate a murder-for-hire plot targeting Deanne Schultz and, if possible, Ira Drescher.
  • Detective recounts Winger’s chilling written instructions: “Only Deanne’s fingerprints can be on the tape cassette, letters and envelopes. Her saliva must be found on the stamps.” ([01:44:30])
  • Winger is convicted on these charges as well and given an additional 35 years.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Detective Charlie Cox (on reviewing evidence):
  “From every case you learn something. And this one taught me you never take anything at face value. Nothing.” ([10:00])
• Deanne Schultz (Donna’s best friend):
  “He mentioned that it would be easier if Donna just died.” ([01:00:30])
• Detective Doug Williamson (on doubts):
  “I was argumentative. I pointed out what we call red flags. Pieces that don’t seem to fit.” ([54:00])
• Prosecutor John Schmidt (to the jury):
  “If it’s a meeting, it’s a murder.” ([01:20:30])
• Charlie Cox (on realizing their error):
  “Roger Harrington was a perfect patsy to set up for this crime.” ([01:12:30])
• Juror (on the Polaroid evidence):
  “Did the defense offer any acceptable explanation to you about how the bodies ended up…? No, there was no explanation.” ([01:41:00])
• Sarah Jane Drescher (Donna’s mother):
  “She didn’t deserve to die. She shouldn’t have died.” ([01:05:40])
• Mark Winger, in prison interview:
  “The fact that I had a wonderful marriage… Everybody knows I had a wonderful marriage with Donna.” ([01:42:15])
• On Winger’s prison plot (Detective):
  “She’d be kidnapped and forced to record lengthy statements… Then she’d be killed.” ([01:44:45])

Important Segment Timestamps

• 9-1-1 Call and Crime Scene Description: [02:40 - 10:50]
• Donna’s Disturbing Ride: [16:40 - 23:00]
• Initial Police Response: [34:30 - 40:00]
• Red Flags and Family Doubts: [50:00 - 54:00]
• Deanne Schultz’s Confession: [01:00:00 - 01:03:30]
• The Polaroid Revelation: [01:05:30 - 01:08:15]
• Reconstruction of the Murder: [01:09:30 - 01:13:00]
• Prosecution’s Case: [01:20:00 - 01:25:00]
• Trial Verdict: [01:36:00 - 01:41:00]
• Winger’s Murder-for-Hire Plot: [01:44:30 - 01:47:30]
• Donna’s Legacy: [01:50:00 +]

Conclusion & Reflections

This episode vividly portrays the complexities and human errors that can characterize crime investigations—and the persistence required to attain justice. Through testimony, forensic breakthroughs, and confessions, the story of Donna Winger’s murder unfolds not as an act of random violence, but as a calculated betrayal by those closest to her. The podcast concludes with her family’s efforts to keep her memory alive and to help others fleeing abuse.

For those seeking a true-crime narrative blending forensic detail, emotional testimony, and eventual justice, this episode exemplifies the strengths of investigative storytelling.