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

[17 November 2023 10:00 · Andrea Blanco]

Kaitlin Armstrong found guilty of love rival Moriah Wilson’s murder

Austin yoga teacher Kaitlin Armstrong has been found guilty of murdering professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson.

The verdict over the May 11 2022 murder of 25-year-old Wilson came after just two hours of deliberations on Thursday.

Wilson’s family members in the courtroom cried and embraced each other while Armstrong remained emotionless as the verdict was read.

The Independent’s Mike Bedigan reports:

[17 November 2023 11:30 · Andrea Blanco]

Matthew Wilson recounts moment he learned about sister’s murder

“He said, we lost Moriah. And I just freaked out. I ran out of the building and ran up the stairs into the street, punching walls... my mom looks at me crying and I’m crying and she says, it gets worse,” Matthew Wilson said.

“I thought maybe something happened to Cash, too. She looks at me and she says, she was murdered.”

[17 November 2023 13:00 · Andrea Blanco]

‘My heart is broken for the Wilson family,' Christine Armstrong says

Christine held an “I love you” sign towards her sister as she approached the stand, which Armstrong reciprocated without smiling.

Christine said that her sister had almost been like a parent to her.

“She’s just such a special person. She’s always been such a special person,” she said. “I’ve always looked up to you. I’ve always looked up to her. I just love her so much and I hate that she’s been painted in this light. She’s not a bad person. She’s a really good person, she’s always cared for other people and if you ask anyone who knows her, they would say the same thing.”

[17 November 2023 14:30 · Andrea Blanco]

Jury to begin sentencing deliberations today

On Thursday, a jury found Armstrong guilty of murdering Anna Moriah Wilson.

The deliberations took only two hours. Wilson’s family became emotional and cried when the verdict was read.

After hearing victim impact statements on Thursday night, the judge said gave instructions for the jury to begin deliberations on Friday morning.

[17 November 2023 15:00 · Andrea Cavallier]

What happens to Kaitlin Armstrong now?

After two hours of deliberations on Thursday, a jury found Armstrong guilty of murdering Anna Moriah Wilson.

Now the punishment phase is now underway, and today, attorneys will present witnesses to the court and jury. They will also give abbreviated closing arguments.

The jury will then decide whether Armstrong is sentenced to a termed sentence of five to 99 years or life in prison.

Court will resume at 10am in Austin, Texas.

Kaitlin Armstrong (AP)

[17 November 2023 15:30 · Andrea Cavallier]

ICYMI: Defence attorney waves bike around in court during closing arguments

Kaitlin Armstrong’s defence attorney Rick Cofer picks up Anna Moriah “Mo”Wilson's bike while discussing DNA evidence during closing arguments at Armstrong’s murder trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Thursday.

A jury later found Armstrong guilty of murdering Wilson.

The deliberations took only two hours.

(AP)

(AP)

[17 November 2023 16:11 · Andrea Cavallier]

Sentencing hearing for Kaitlin Armstrong begins

Kaitlin Armstrong has entered the courtroom for her sentencing hearing.

The family of Mo Wilson is there along with her friend Caitlin Cash.

Family of Armstrong, including her sister Christine, are also present behind the defence.

Armstrong could face anywhere from 5 to 99 years in prison.

She is eligible for parole after serving at least half of her sentence or 30 years, whichever comes first, the judge says in court

The jury’s verdict must be unanimous. A financial penalty not to exceed $10,000 is also applicable.

[17 November 2023 16:25 · Andrea Cavallier]

Prosecution said he ‘wants today to be about Mo Wilson'

ADA Rick Jones holds up a photo of Mo Wilson and said he wants to talk about the slain cyclist today, and not Kaitlin Armstrong, according to NewsNation’s Alex Caprariello - who is in the courtroom.

“She was a beautiful person... I was so moved by [Karen’s] words...it oozed from her yesterday, as well as Eric. That’s a parent’s love. And to be honest with you, I felt Mr. Armstrong’s love for his daughter. I felt it! But the difference is that his daughter is still sitting right there. She’s not in a good situation, but she’s still sitting right there.”

He then calls Mo Wilson a prodigy of gravel cycling and that at 25 years old, she probably wasn’t even in her prime.

“When you get up and walk out that door, I want you to think about Moriah Wilson. Look at that picture on screen and put it in your brains before you leave here.”

Moriah ‘Mo’ Wilson was one of the top gravel racing cyclists in the world (Instagram/Mo Wilson)

[17 November 2023 16:39 · Andrea Cavallier]

Prosecutor says Armstrong’s demeanor in court doesn’t mean anything

“Some people may be sitting there silent. That doesn’t mean anything... That doesn’t mean she feels remorse. It could be fear. It could be anything…”

“A shrinking violet doesn’t stand over someone and put a bullet in their heart. That’s cold.”

[17 November 2023 16:45 · Andrea Cavallier]

Kaitlin Armstrong defence focuses on ‘forgiveness’ in remarks

Rick Cofer began by saying the jury did heavy lifting to assess his client’s guilt and that the punishment isn’t as clear cut as deciding a verdict.

"We the defense have no recommendation for an appropriate sentence. That is your decision. Two families are devastated in very different ways. Kaitlin has no prior criminal history, no rap sheet."

The defence then talks about forgiveness.

“Can we ever forgive? Forgiveness doesn’t suspend judgment. It doesn’t mean not holding people accountable... forgiveness only allows for a possibility of atonement.”