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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Murder trial in killing of rising pro cyclist Anna 'Mo' Wilson nears end. What has happened so far?
A star cyclist was murdered. Now her love rival Kaitlin Armstrong is on trial
Did a police error aid Kaitlin Armstrong’s escape after Moriah Wilson murder?
Love rival murder, a harrowing 911 call and bike DNA: Key revelations in the Kaitlin Armstrong trial
Karen Wilson tells Armstrong to seek forgiveness
Wilson’s mother 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 direcetly. It is not clear if Armstrong returned her gaze.
Kaitlin Armstrong exits the courtroom
Court proceedings have ended. Kaitlin Armstrong has been guided back into custody where she will begin her sentence.
As she left the court room she mad prolonged eye contact with her family.
The Wilson family stands and takes turns hugging each other. Caitlin Cash and Karen Wilson were seen crying in each others arms. Eric Wilson comes from behind and hugs them both.
Watch: Kaitlin Armstrong’s parents leave court following her sentencing
Watch: Moriah Wilson’s family speak outside court
Watch live, via NewsNation’s Alex Caprariello, as Moriah Wilson’s family give remarks outside court, following the sentencing of Kaitlin Armstrong.
Moriah Wilson’s father thanks God outside court
Speaking to reporters outside court following the sentencing, Eric Wilson thanked all those had been involved in the case, including jury members, witnesses, and law enforcement.
“As a family, we believe justice has been served and of course. We have many many people to thank, but first I want to thank God for giving us strength, comfort, and a measure of peace throughout this process,” he said.
Eric Wilson: ‘This is a time for prayer and healing'
Mr Wilson continued: “Other than the prosecution team, there really are no winners here.
“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.”
Family of slain cyclist Moriah Wilson gives heartbreaking victim impact statements
Following the sentencing of Kaitlin Armstrong the family of Moriah Wilson said that it was time for “prayer and healing”.
Wilson’s mother, father and brother all delivered heart-wrenching impact statements after jurors delivered the guilty verdict on Thursday.
Family of slain cyclist Moriah Wilson gives heartbreaking victim impact statements
‘Every time I go to put in a load of laundry, I see the dent that the bullet left when she was shot in the head,’ Wilson’s friend Caitlin Cash told the jury
Key moments in the Kaitlin Armstrong trial
Now that the murder trial of Kaitlin Armstrong has concluded, here is a look back at some of the key moments from the trial.
Key revelations in the Kaitlin Armstrong love rival murder trial so far
Kaitlin Armstrong faces up to 99 years in prison if she’s 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 so far in her high-profile trial
Who was star cyclist Moriah ‘Mo’ Wilson?
Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson, 25, a competitive gravel and mountain bike racer from Vermont.
A month before her death, in May 2022, Wilson beat 30 of the top gravel racing cyclists in the United States to claim the Fuego 80k at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California.
Wilson followed up that victory with a win at the Belgian Waffle Ride in San Diego on 30 April 2022 and arrived in Austin on 10 May as the favourite to win the Gravel Locos in Hico, a few days later.
She had been staying at her friend Caitlin Cash’s apartment on Maple Avenue, East Austin, and on 11 May she arranged to meet fellow pro-cyclist Colin Strickland, who according to a police affidavit she had an on-again, off-again relationship with when he and his then-girlfriend Armstrong were on a hiatus.
The pair went swimming at the Deep Eddy Pool public aquatic centre in Austin before going for a meal at nearby Pool Burger, Mr Strickland, 35, told investigators. He dropped Wilson off at her friend’s home at around 8.30pm.
Wilson was later found dead with multiple gunshot wounds by Ms Cash.
In pictures: Kaitlin Armstrong’s sentencing
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