Following deliberations after Thursday’s closing arguments, an Austin jury found Kaitlin Armstrong guilty of murder.
ABC News reports that Travis County prosecutor Rick Jones Said Thursday that “overwhelming” evidence identified Armstrong as the killer, following close to 40 witnesses taking the stand during the trial.
“Only Kaitlin Armstrong, the defendant, fits these facts that was presented to you through that witness chair,” Jones said.
It took the jury around three hours to return the verdict, following a nearly three-week trial in Travis County.
As CrimeOnline reported, Armstrong is accused of shooting and killing elite cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson in Austin, in 2022. Wilson, 25, was found shot multiple times at a friend’s apartment on May 11, hours after meeting up with Armstrong’s then-boyfriend Colin Strickland.
Following a 43-day manhunt, police arrested Armstrong at a Costa Rica hostel in June. Following her arrest, she pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. Investigators said she sold her Jeep before fleeing, and then used her sister’s passport and spent thousands getting plastic surgery in an attempt to alter her appearance.
“Then she runs to Costa Rica, has plastic surgery, on the beach teaching yoga while the Wilsons are trying to pick up the pieces,” Jones added Thursday.
On Thursday, the jury heard the audio of Wilson’s shooting for the second time, with Jones adding that Armstrong shot Wilson twice in the head and once in the heart “for good measure.”
Investigators believe that Armstrong murdered Wilson after learning Wilson was having an affair with Strickland, although he testified during the trial that he was professional friends only with Wilson.
Strickland, acknowledged, however, that he briefly dated Wilson in 2021 during a break-up period with Armstrong.
“No one else in the world was angry that their boyfriend was out with Mo Wilson. Just her,” Jones said. “No one else in the world had their Jeep circling 1708 Maple for an hour before you heard that 9:15 shot. No one else in the world matched that description.”
Armstrong now faces up to 99 years in prison. The sentencing phase began Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. EST.
Both the prosecution and defense waived opening statements during sentencing. Meanwhile, the state plans to call Wilson’s friend, Caitlin Cash, to the stand. Cash found Wilson’s body at the crime scene and is expected to deliver a victim impact statement.
Wilson’s family members will also be called to the stand for victim impact statements.
Armstrong’s lawyer, Rick Cofer, declined comment following the verdict, citing the gag order in place.
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[Featured Photo: Mo Wilson/Family Handout]
