Kaitlin Armstrong sentenced to 90 years for murder of cyclist Mo Wilson - Updates

Jurors returned guilty verdict against Kaitlin Armstrong on Thursday for shooting death of star cyclist Moriah ‘Mo’ Wilson

Kaitlin Armstrong found guilty cyclist’s murder

Kaitlin Armstrong has been sentenced to 90 years in prison for the murder of her alleged love rival Moriah “Mo” Wilson.

A jury returned the sentencing verdict after around three and a half hours of deliberation on Thursday in Austin, Texas. Armstrong will also be required to pay a fine of $10,000.

The two women were reportedly involved in a love triangle with Ms Armstrong’s then on-and-off boyfriend and Wilson’s fellow cyclist Colin Strickland.

In the aftermath of the May 2022 shooting, Ms Armstrong fled to Costa Rica and was only captured five weeks later.

The state rested its case on Wednesday morning after introducing testimony from Mr Strickland, friends of Ms Armstrong, and law enforcement personnel. The defence called experts who sought to discredit the state’s DNA and ballistics evidence.

During closing arguments, prosecutors pointed out what they suggested was overwhelming evidence linking Ms Armstrong to the crime, and asked jurors to ignore the “rabbit holes” the defence had asked them to go down.

Meanwhile, Ms Armstrong’s attorneys accused police of a sloppy investigation that too quickly focused on her as the sole suspect.

Key points

• The key players in the deadly ‘love triangle’ at the centre of trial
• Former friend of Kaitlin Armstrong recalls death threats against Wilson
• Kaitlin Armstrong confronted Moriah Wilson on the phone, ex-boyfriend Colin Strickland says
• Armstrong’s ex clashes with media at court
• Kaitlin Armstrong found guilty of murder
• Kaitlin Armstrong jailed for 90 years for murder of Moriah Wilson

[18 November 2023 04:00 · Mike Bedigan]

WATCH: Kaitlin Armstrong found guilty cyclist’s murder

[18 November 2023 06:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Moriah Wilson’s mother has the last word

After Kaitlin Armstrong was sentenced, Ms Cash and Karen Wilson returned to the stand to address the discgraced yoga teacher directly for one final time.

“Kaitlin Armstrong. I’m not sure that my words can penetrate your heart but I’m gonna try,” Ms Wilson said. “I hate what you did to my beautiful daughter it was very selfish and cowardly.”

Ms Wilson said that had Armstrong endeavoured to have a “civil” conversation with her daughter, things may have been resolved. “She would have cared about your feelings. She was a caring empathetic person,” she said.

“When you shot Moriah in the heart, you shot me in my heart. You shot Eric and Matt in the heart... You shot cousins and aunts and uncles and all the people who loved her, there in their hearts.”

Ms Wilson finished her remarks by urging Armstrong to admit her guilt and seek forgiveness.

“It’s up to you. There is no winner in this story. Your actions have caused all sides to suffer,” she said.

“There is a ripple effect of sorrow upon sorrow upon sorrow. Moriah is free of this sorrow, though. She is more alive today than any of us here.”

As she left the stand, Ms Wilson looked at Armstrong directly. It was not clear if Armstrong returned her gaze.

Karen Wilson in court (AP)

[18 November 2023 08:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Eric Wilson: ‘This is a time for prayer and healing’

Wilson’s father Eric Wilson, addressed reporters outside of court following the sentence of Kaitlin Armstrong, telling them that it was now time for “prayer and healing”. Mr Wilson thanked everyone involved in the case, and God.

“Other than the prosecution team, there really are no winners here,” he said. “This is not a time for celebration, but it is a time for prayer. Time to pray for our family, our friends, and the Armstrong family and their friends.

“This sad story is a perfect example of why integrity and honesty are crucial in our personal relationships and how dishonesty can often lead to unintended consequences.”

“Selfish manipulation, jealousy and hatred never lead to positive outcomes. Violence is never a good way to solve personal, personal issues. In fact, violence doesn’t solve anything. It only leads to more suffering.

Mr Wilson added: “Our lives would change forever. But with this challenging ordeal now behind us we are ready to move forward and continue our healing, and we will do this with Moriah’s strong, determined, gentle and kind spirit, because we know this is what she would want us to do.”

(AP)

[18 November 2023 10:30 · Mike Bedigan]

A star cyclist was killed. Now her jealous love rival has been convicted of murder

Kaitlin Armstrong evaded police for 43 days after being named a suspect in the murder of Moriah Wilson. This week, her murder trial ended. Andrea Cavallier and Mike Bedigan explain how events unfolded:

[18 November 2023 12:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Love rival murder, a harrowing 911 call and bike DNA: Key moments in the Kaitlin Armstrong trial

After two and half weels of evidence, Kaitlin Armstrong was swiftly convicted of killing professional cyclist Anna Moriah ‘Mo’ Wilson after they were allegedly involved in a love triangle. Andrea Cavallier and Andrea Blanco explain the most crucial moments in her high-profile trial

[18 November 2023 14:00 · Mike Bedigan]

Kaitlin Armstrong jailed for murder

Kaitlin Armstrong’s trial has come to an end after two and half weeks of heart-breaking evidence.

The Texas yoga teacher was sentenced to 90 years behind bars on Friday, and ordered to pay $10,000.

Read the full story here: