Opening statements kicked off on Wednesday in the trial of Kaitlin Armstrong, the yoga instructor accused of killing elite cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in 2022.
Prosecutors began telling the court their side of the story, suggesting that Armstrong acted out of jealousy when she fatally shot Wilson. Wilson had a previous romantic involvement with Armstrong's on-and-off boyfriend, Colin Strickland, who is a pro cyclist.
Prosecutors claimed that Armstrong had access to Strickland's email and Instagram accounts and was aware of his ongoing connection with Wilson. They pointed out that Strickland had changed Wilson's contact name to hide their relationship, and they believed that Armstrong knew Wilson's exact whereabouts when the shooting occurred.
Armstrong, accused of fleeing to Costa Rica after the shooting, allegedly used the time in South America to undergo plastic surgery, as per the prosecutors.
The prosecution also mentioned they would present surveillance audio capturing Wilson's terrified screams in her final moments. "The last thing Mo Wilson did on this Earth is scream in terror," said Prosecutor Rickey Jones in his opening statement.
In contrast, the defense argued that the prosecutors lacked concrete evidence against Armstrong, emphasizing that no camera footage placed her at the crime scene. Armstrong's lawyer described her as being "trapped in a nightmare of circumstantial evidence."
Armstrong is accused of shooting and killing Wilson in Austin, Texas, in May 2022 before fleeing to Costa Rica. She was allegedly on the run for over a month, using a passport believed to belong to her sister, before authorities tracked her down through her yoga activities.
Wilson had previously dated Strickland in 2021 while Armstrong and Strickland were separated. Although Armstrong and Strickland reconciled, he maintained a close relationship with Wilson, even going swimming with her before the shooting, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Wilson was found injured and unconscious from multiple gunshot wounds inside a residence while she was in town to participate in a race. Armstrong became a person of interest when her vehicle was spotted on surveillance footage near the crime scene.
In a recent development, Armstrong faced additional charges for allegedly attempting to escape custody during a medical appointment escort. Video footage showed Armstrong fleeing on a walking track, pursued by an officer. After a 10-minute chase, she was apprehended.
The trial is ongoing.
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