Texas psychology board revokes killer psychologist’s license

May 1, 2008

On May 1, 2008 the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists revoked Mr. Winningham’s license. The reason given for this action was “Convicted of first degree murder.” On October 12, 2007, Winningham was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the July 2005 murder of his ex-fiancee. Police stated that Winningham shot Deborah Houchins three times inside her home before dumping her body behind a mechanic’s shop where it was found smoldering on a tarp, burned beyond recognition and identifiable only by dental records. News reports uniformly state that the two had been engaged to marry but that the relationship cooled after Ms. Houchins asked him to sign a prenuptial agreement.¹