Defendant's ex-wife testifies in murder trial

MIAMI (WSVN) -- The widow of a man allegedly murdered by her ex-husband took the stand in his murder trial.

Jennifer Winter was forced to relive a horrific nightmare in court on Wednesday. Winter's ex-husband, Cristobal Palacios, stands accused of shooting and killing Winter's new husband, Paul Winter, back in October of 2008.

Palacios came to the Winters' South Kendall home to drop off the former couple's twin son and daughter for a visit.

The twins, who were 6 years old at the time, witnessed the alleged fatal shooting, which occurred on Jennifer's birthday. "He still had the gun in his hand, and I could see my kids there, huddled together, crying, just crying," said Jennifer.

Palacios called 911 after he emptied his gun clip. Winter was shot six times, twice in his back.

Paul and Jennifer Winter had only been married a year before Paul lost his life in the shooting. "I looked at [Cristobal] and I said, 'How could you do this? Why did you do this? Why did you kill my husband? How could you do this?'" Jennifer said, through tears. "And he just smiled at me. He was so proud of himself."

On Tuesday, Winter's daughter testified against her biological father. "He was smiling," the girl said.

Attorney: "Who was smiling?"

Girl: "Cris."

Attorney: "When was he smiling?"

Girl: "When he was shooting."

According to Palacios, he acted in self-defense. "Paul Winter had been threatening Cris for years. Put a gun to his head, told him he was going to shoot his head off, did it in front of his family," said defense attorney Mike Walsh, "and on this particular day, Paul Winter got out of the van and charged directly at Cris."

After several hours of intense cross-examination, Jennifer said she was having a panic attack, as she breathed heavily and requested a recess. "I have lupus, sir, and I have a heart condition really bad," she told the judge.

The judge did grant a recess, but Jennifer did not have to be removed from the courtroom. Fire rescue was not called, and the trial resumed.

The trial will continue Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m.

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