Kaitlin Armstrong, the Texas yoga teacher accused of murdering her love rival and subsequently fleeing in May of last year, a jury consisting of eight women and six men has been chosen.
The captivating murder case of Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, which has drawn international attention, is now heading to trial. In a story fraught with complex relationships, fake passports, and a dramatic escape attempt, the details continue to unfold, as per Mail Online.
Anna Moriah Wilson Murder Case
On the evening of May 11, 2022, the life of 25-year-old rising star Anna Moriah Wilson took a tragic turn when she was discovered in a friend's Austin home bathroom with multiple gunshot wounds.
An accomplished gravel and mountain cyclist from San Francisco, Wilson was in Austin preparing for a race near Stephenville. She had been staying with a friend in Austin when the fatal incident occurred.
The police investigation revealed that earlier in the day, Wilson had gone swimming at Deep Eddy Pool with Colin Strickland, a professional cyclist and the boyfriend of suspect Kaitlin Armstrong.
It was disclosed that Wilson and Strickland had a short romantic relationship in October when Strickland had briefly separated from Armstrong. After reuniting with Armstrong, Strickland described his relationship with Wilson as spiritual and professional.
The case took an intriguing turn when surveillance footage showed a dark-colored SUV with a bicycle rack arriving at the friend's house where Wilson stayed. The SUV was similar to Armstrong's 2012 Jeep Cherokee. During a search of the home Armstrong shared with Strickland, the police discovered a 9mm handgun that Strickland claimed to have purchased for Armstrong.
They linked the shell casings fired from this gun to those found at the crime scene, suggesting a significant possibility that the same firearm was used in Wilson's killing. An anonymous tipster alleged that Armstrong had learned about Strickland's relationship with Wilson in January, leading to anger and threats against Wilson.
Strickland corroborated the claim that Armstrong was aware of the past relationship. He even mentioned changing Wilson's name on his phone after Armstrong blocked Wilson's number.
Although Strickland cooperated with the investigation, he was not implicated in the crime. Instead, the focus turned to Armstrong, who was arrested on May 12, 2022, a day after the murder.
Initially, she was taken into custody due to an unrelated misdemeanor warrant, and no murder charge was filed at the time. However, she was released after discrepancies were found in her birthdate, casting doubt on the warrant's validity, according to USA Today.
Kaitlin Armstrong's Troubling Silence
Subsequently, Armstrong's behavior raised suspicions. When questioned by police about the dark-colored SUV seen near the crime scene, she offered no explanation. Armstrong also claimed ignorance regarding Strickland's interactions with Wilson.
Her involvement in the case became more convoluted as she sold her Jeep for $12,200 and fled, taking a flight from Austin to Costa Rica via New York with a fake passport. An international search led to Armstrong's capture by US and Costa Rican authorities. She had used aliases and changed her appearance to evade law enforcement.
Officers also found a receipt for potential plastic surgery in her possession, implying an attempt to alter her appearance further. Armstrong faces a first-degree murder charge and, if convicted, could potentially face the death penalty.
In October 2023, she attempted to escape custody during a medical appointment, adding to her legal troubles. She is now charged with escape causing bodily injury, a second-degree felony that could result in a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail.
The trial for this high-profile case is now underway in Travis County Criminal Court, with District Judge Brenda Kennedy presiding. The jury, comprising eight women and six men, was seated recently. Opening statements are set to begin, with the proceedings available for public viewing via Court TV.
As the trial unfolds, the world watches, eager to see how this intricate and compelling case will evolve and whether justice will ultimately prevail for Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, Independent reported.
