What we know about Kaitlin Armstrong’s alleged victim’s final hours
- Kaitlin Armstrong faces first-degree murder charges, pleads not guilty
- Prosecution: Armstrong shot Wilson three times, fled country after killing
- Defense: No "real" evidence Armstrong killed Wilson, known for traveling
(NewsNation) — NewsNation’s Alex Caprariello retraced the final hours of Moriah “Mo” Wilson’s life and the ensuing getaway of Kaitlin Armstrong, the woman suspected of murdering her.
In court, prosecutors laid out the final hours of Wilson’s life. According to testimony, Colin Strickland picked Wilson up for a swim at a local pool. Surveillance cameras capture them swimming and getting drinks at the pool bar.
Cameras also captured a black Jeep in the distance, similar to one Armstrong owned.
During sunset in East Austin, Strickland drove down a driveway and dropped Wilson off. Minutes later, a camera caught a black Jeep pulling up and then three distinct gunshots.
Police found Wilson unconscious with a gunshot wound to the head. She died at the scene but was not identified until several days later.
The testimony comes as prosecutors lay out the case against Armstrong, accused of murder in a case that has included a love triangle, a 43-day search for Armstrong and an escape attempt prior to the trial.
The Case
Armstrong is a yoga instructor accused of shooting and killing professional cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson. She has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
Wilson had a brief romantic relationship with Colin Strickland, another pro cyclist. Prosecutors say this fueled jealous rage from Armstrong, who was Strickland’s on-again, off-again girlfriend.
Wilson was found unconscious with a gunshot wound to the head on May 11, 2022, at a friend’s home in Austin, Texas.
Police questioned Armstrong but did not immediately issue a warrant for her arrest. By the time they did, Armstrong had sold her car and boarded a flight to New York. She was later seen on surveillance cameras at a New Jersey airport, but there was no record of a flight booked in her name.
After a 43-day search, authorities arrested Armstrong in Costa Rica, where she had been hiding. After Armstrong was extradited to the U.S., she pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder. In October, she attempted to escape custody while being taken for a medical examination but was quickly caught.
The Trial
Prosecutors have begun making their case for Armstrong’s guilt, with Strickland testifying to his off-and-on relationship with Armstrong. During his testimony, he said he found Wilson and three other women in his phone blocked, though he had not been the one to block them.
Strickland testified to re-establishing contact with Wilson, whose contact he saved under a false name. He also testified to his relationship with Armstrong. He prompted a shocked reaction from the courtroom when defense attorneys asked him if he knew Armstrong well.
“No, I do not,” Strickland said.
The trial resumed on Wednesday. Although Autin Police Department Homicide Detective Spitler was set to continue his testimony at another date because of scheduling conflicts.
The next witness is expected to be Joan Gillcrist, owner of 68 Degrees Kitchen. Her restaurant is located across the street from the one where Wilson and Strickland ate on May 11 and her surveillance cameras captured footage that is being used as evidence in the trial.