Kaitlin Armstrong sentenced to 90 years in prison for murdering pro cyclist Mo Wilson
AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: The woman convicted of fatally shooting rising professional cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson has been sentenced to 90 years.
Jurors delivered the verdict Friday after a little more than three hours of deliberations. The same jury had convicted 35-year-old Kaitlin Armstrong on Thursday after deliberating for only two hours.
Prosecutors say Armstrong gunned down the 25-year-old Wilson in a jealous rage. Wilson had briefly dated Armstrong’s boyfriend several months earlier, and went swimming and to a meal with him the day she was killed in May 2022.
Armstrong’s defense attorneys urged the jury to consider something less than life that could offer the chance for parole.
(The Associated Press contributed to this update)
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ORIGINAL STORY:
After finding Kaitlin Armstrong guilty of murdering Anna Moriah ‘Mo’ Wilson, jurors have one last task in the three-week-long trial: deciding how long Armstrong will spend in prison.
Judge Brenda Kennedy read over the punishment charge details for jurors. Karen, Eric, and Matt Wilson sat in the front row of the courtroom, along with Caitlin Cash. The four of them spoke to jurors yesterday, giving emotional testimony about their loved one, Moriah Wilson. Karen Wilson said in her testimony, “I would've done anything to stand in the way of that bullet.”
The prosecution and defense both had one last opportunity to make their case to jurors. The defense said they did not have a sentencing recommendation, while the prosecution asked for a minimum of 40 years.
“First and foremost, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said prosecutor Rick Jones, “I know the Wilson family appreciates the swiftness of the justice you’ve given them.”
Jones focused his statements on Moriah Wilson. He told the jurors that they’ve seen Armstrong a thousand times, but today he wanted Wilson to be the only focus. While Jones spoke, a photo of Moriah Wilson smiling was displayed on the court monitors.
“I don’t know much about gravel racing, but I’m willing to bet 25 is not your prime,” said Jones.
Jones said he didn’t know until yesterday that Cash sent Wilson’s mother a picture saying she’d protect her daughter. Eric Wilson and Caitlin Cash had their hands around Karen’s back in a supportive gesture. Jones told jurors that he knows Armstrong is only on trial for murdering Moriah Wilson, but Cash has lived in terror and fear for 555 days.
Jones says [Armstrong] put everybody at risk.
“She was selfish. Utterly selfish,” said Jones.
Jones also spoke about Armstrong’s family. He said that [Armstrong’s] family is not in a good situation, but their daughter is still here, while the Wilsons' daughter is not. The prosecution also discussed Armstrong taking one last shot at Wilson, hitting her in the heart.
“That is low. That is low,” said Jones.
Defense attorney Rick Cofer presented the statement for the defense. He started his remarks similar to the prosecution, thanking the jurors for their time and service in court. He then said that there are many factors that go into punishment.
“We have no recommendation for an appropriate sentence,” said defense attorney Rick Cofer.
Cofer told jurors that two families were devastated in different ways. The majority of the defense’s statement touched on redemption, and how jurors balance justice with forgiveness.
Guillermo Gonzalez with the prosecution spoke after Cofer. Gonzalez said that he agreed with a lot of what Cofer said, but accountability for actions is just as important as redemption and forgiveness.
Gonzalez displayed another photo of Moriah Wilson. Gonzalez said [Armstrong] was a sophisticated and educated adult when she committed this crime. He said when Armstrong made the decision to go down this path, she was a person who had a long time to think about it. He referenced the Jeep driving for an hour in the area before the murder.
Gonzalez said after the crime, Armstrong thought about how to get away. He said Armstrong left the family and friends of Wilson to deal with the consequences of [Armstrong’s] actions. The prosecution also said that Armstrong caused people to have ongoing trauma, including Armstrong’s family. Gonzalez says this was the defendant’s decision.
The prosecution told the jurors that this was not a snap decision; Armstrong had time to calculate and meditate on it. Gonzalez said ultimately that calculation came down to an age-old thing: jealousy.
Gonzalez ended his remarks by telling the jurors he thinks they should begin their calculation at a minimum of 40 years.
Jurors are excused from the courtroom and are in deliberation.
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