The trial of Kaitlin Armstrong for the suspected murder of pro cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson began yesterday in Austin, Texas.
Mo Wilson was an up-and-coming cyclist who arrived in Austin in May 2022 for a race, a race she was expected to win, but the 25-year-old mountain bike racer was gunned down at her friend’s house.
Yesterday, attorneys gave their opening statements in the trial of 35-year-old Armstrong.
She is accused of shooting Wilson because the cyclist had met up with her boyfriend, another pro cyclist, Colin Strickland.
The prosecution believes Armstrong had been tracking Wilson’s movements on her laptop through her boyfriend’s cellphone.
Wilson and Strickland had briefly dated the year before, and on the day of the murder, they met up for a swim and some dinner.
Cops say Colin Strickland is not involved with Mo Wilson murder
The cops say Strickland lied to Armstrong about his movements. He has been cleared by the police of any wrongdoing.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelTravis County Prosecutor Rickey Jones used his opening statement to discuss Wilson’s athletic achievements before he chillingly told jurors, “The last thing Mo did on this earth was scream in terror.”
Jones also claimed that Wilson’s screams were followed by gunshots fired by Armstrong. Wilson was shot three times, including once in the heart.
Defense attorney Geoffrey Puryear gave a shorter opening statement, claiming his client had been “caught in a web of circumstantial evidence.”
Wilson was staying at the home of her friend Caitlin Cash, who returned home on May 11 to find the cyclist lying on the floor covered in blood.
The cops say Armstrong’s SUV was spotted at the crime scene, and the shell casings matched a firearm found at her home. The suspected killer then flew to Costa Rica, sparking an international hunt.
Police accuse Kaitlin Armstrong of trying to escape justice in Mo Wilson killing
Armstrong was eventually located in a hostel by US Marshals and was extradited back to Texas. The authorities have accused her of altering her appearance through surgery and using multiple aliases.
On October 11, Armstrong was being escorted to a doctor’s appointment in south Austin when she suddenly made a break for it. The prisoner tried to flee despite being handcuffed, but officers caught up to her after a few minutes. The authorities have accused her of planning the escape by faking an injury.
If convicted, Armstrong could face up to 99 years in prison plus a further 20 years for the attempted prison break. Her trial is expected to last about two weeks.