A Texas jury has delivered a verdict of guilty in the murder trial of Kaitlin Armstrong, a yoga instructor, in the shooting death of Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson, her romantic rival.
Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson, 25, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at a friend’s residence in Austin on May 11, 2022. She had previously been romantically linked to Armstrong’s then-boyfriend, Colin Strickland, who was also a professional cyclist. Wilson was discovered shot hours after meeting up with Strickland, leading to a police investigation.
The jury’s deliberations lasted for less than three hours on Thursday before they reached the guilty verdict. Following the announcement, the Wilson family and friends embraced each other in tears, while Armstrong’s family appeared to be in a state of shock. Armstrong’s mother remained stoic, but her father and sister left the courtroom, with the latter visibly emotional.
Kaitlin Armstrong, aged 35, had been detained since her arrest in June 2022 at a hostel in Costa Rica, where she had been located after a 43-day search. She was held on a $3.5 million bond and had pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in connection with Wilson’s death.
The sentencing phase of the trial followed the guilty verdict, during which the court heard statements from witnesses, including Wilson’s mother, father, and brother. Sentencing deliberations were scheduled to resume on Friday.
During the proceedings, Karen Wilson, Anna Moriah’s mother, described her daughter as someone destined to shine and be unique. She tearfully recounted the moment she learned about her daughter’s death, stating that it was the worst moment of her life, and that her life had never been the same since. Eric Wilson, the father, likened the experience to living through a bad nightmare that was now a painful reality. Anna Moriah’s brother, Matthew Wilson, shared the profound impact of losing his sister and all the experiences she would never have.
Witness Caitlin Cash, who discovered Wilson bleeding on the floor of her home, shared the guilt, PTSD, panic attacks, and paranoia she has endured since the tragic incident.
Armstrong’s defense also presented witnesses, including her father and sister, as part of the sentencing phase. Mike Armstrong, the defendant’s father, described his daughter as strong and someone who does not get flustered easily. He expressed condolences to the Wilson family, acknowledging their shared pain.
Throughout the two-week trial, Travis County prosecutor Rick Jones emphasized the “overwhelming” evidence pointing to Armstrong as the shooter. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting Armstrong’s involvement, including the circulation of her 2012 Jeep Cherokee around the crime scene on the night of the homicide, the use of her firearm in the crime, and the presence of her DNA on Wilson’s bicycle.
Jones played audio of the moments when Wilson was fatally shot and showed footage of Armstrong’s attempt to evade deputies in the weeks leading up to the trial. He urged the jurors not to be swayed by the defense’s arguments.
Armstrong’s arrest and subsequent trial drew significant attention due to the complex nature of the case involving romantic rivalry, a high-profile boyfriend, and a lengthy search for the suspect.