The day after stabbing his parents to death, the Milford man was arrested 25 miles away on felony assault charges. Fourteen months later, no one has explained how he got there or what happened.

HONESDALE — On September 24, 2024, Colin Winkler stabbed his parents to death in their Dingman Township home. On September 25, he was arrested again — this time in Honesdale Borough on charges that include assaulting law enforcement officers.

Last week, Pike County President Judge Gregory H. Chelak sentenced Winkler to life plus 20 years for the murders. That case is closed.

The Wayne County case is not.

Court records show Winkler still faces eight criminal charges from the Honesdale incident, including two second-degree felonies. The case has stalled for over a year with cancelled hearings, repeated continuances, and two unresolved habeas corpus petitions.

No media outlet reported on the Wayne County arrest at the time. The Pennsylvania State Police website retains press releases for only 30 days, meaning any statement about the incident is long gone. What happened in Honesdale remains unexplained.

The Charges

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Christine M. Lashinski of the Gibson barracks arrested Winkler on:

• Two counts aggravated assault against designated individuals (F2)
• Two counts resisting arrest (M2)
• Two counts disorderly conduct (M3)
• Two counts harassment (summary)

Under Pennsylvania law, “designated individuals” typically means law enforcement officers or other protected classes. The paired charges suggest Winkler encountered two officers during whatever happened.

The Unanswered Questions

How did Winkler get to Honesdale?

State police from Blooming Grove took him into custody at the murder scene. By the next day, he was involved in an incident 25 miles away in Wayne County with troopers from Gibson.

Was he released and re-arrested? Being transported? Receiving psychiatric evaluation at a Wayne County facility?

The Pike County criminal complaint details the murders extensively — the mother’s frantic phone call about a “psychotic break,” the brother finding the bodies, Winkler standing naked and covered in blood, his statement that he “killed my abusers and it felt good.”

Nothing comparable exists for Wayne County. The Pocono Review has requested the criminal complaint from the Wayne County Clerk of Courts.

A Case Going Nowhere

Magisterial District Judge Bonnie L. Carney set bail at $100,000 on November 6, 2024. Public defender John Jerome Martin entered his appearance in December.

Then the delays began: a cancelled arraignment in January, five Rule 600 speedy-trial waivers between February and October, cancelled pre-trial conferences, cancelled plea offers, cancelled jury selection.

Two habeas corpus petitions filed in November and December 2024 — challenging the legality of Winkler’s detention — remain active with a status of “Awaiting Hearing.”

As of this week, the case status is “Awaiting Pre-Trial Conference.”

What Happens Now?

Winkler is serving a mandatory life sentence. The Wayne County charges would add little to that.

But the case remains open. Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell’s office hasn’t moved to dismiss. Winkler hasn’t entered a plea.

The DA’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Colin Winkler, 33, was sentenced December 3, 2025 to life plus 20 years for the September 24, 2024 murders of his parents Jeffrey Winkler, 66, and Jacqueline Winkler, 67.