TX - Moriah Wilson, 25, Cyclist Fatally Shot Before Race, Austin, 2022 *arrest* #6

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Defense asks about his involvement, asking if it was limited. Ayers agrees. Ayers says he didn't touch this case besides his involvement on 5/12/22. Ayers says he was an assistant. Ayers says it was normal for APD detectives to have 3-4 cases at a time.

12:20 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Defense asking about his uniform as a detective, which is not the same as patrol officers. More like civilians. Same as their car, which is unmarked.Ayers confirms the goal of the unannounced visit was to get Strickland to come to APD for official interrogation. Ayers says he observed Armstrong at the home at the time they were questioning Armstrong, but they did not ask to speak to her or ID her at this time.

12:25 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[kwash]

Surprising KA didn’t run right then while CS was being questioned. Maybe she thought she wouldn’t be caught or that CS would be the one convicted.

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Defense asking about preventing Armstrong from entering the home at the time the search warrant was executed. Ayers says he knew who Armstrong was and noted that the attorney present at the scene represented both Armstrong and Strickland.

12:28 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Ayers says that he did not ask Armstrong or her attorney any questions at the time the search warrant was executed. Ayers explains that a search warrant application has a high standard considering you need reasonable suspicion, but defense pushes back, saying search warrants are very common among law enforcement. Defense questioning the chain of custody for items that were recovered from the search warrant given that Ayers was not the lead detective.

12:31 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

Surprising KA didn’t run right then while CS was being questioned. Maybe she thought she wouldn’t be caught or that CS would be the one convicted.

I know. I also wonder why she didn't use his gun (with gloves).

 

[kwash]

I know. I also wonder why she didn't use his gun (with gloves).

Maybe this and the fact she didn’t run then shows that she wasn’t trying to set him up. Just in a blind rage and had no plan for afterward.

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

Maybe this and the fact she didn’t run then shows that she wasn’t trying to set him up. Just in a blind rage and had no plan for afterward.

I agree. She def had no financial plan for escaping.

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Defense looking at the pictures of the closet where the guns were recovered. Ayers says the closet appears to be filled with overwhelmingly men's clothing.Defense questioning the locks that are found on the handguns, as seen in the pictures. They are fully intact and locked.Defense questioning the ammo types and variety. With 50 bullets in the box, defense questions if it appears they are untouched. Ayers agrees. The ammo is primarily intended for training practice at the range.

12:39 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Defense asking if it is normal for ammo to be sold in single rounds? Can you buy just three rounds? Ayers says he has never seen a retailer sell ammo that way.

12:41 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Defense showing Ayers an inventory form that Ayers signed off on after executing the search warrant. Ayers had not previously reviewed this form prior to testifying. Ayers agrees it accurately depicts the items that he and his team confiscated from the property (2 MacBooks, 2 cellphones, handguns).

12:47 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Defense showing Ayers other unpublished photographs from other rooms in the house. The jury cannot see these photos. Based on verbal descriptions, it sounds like the photos show iPads from the house that were not seized.

12:48 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

"If it was not on the inventory, it was not seized," Ayers says. Defense questions why these electronic devices were not seized at the time of the search warrant. Defense pushes Ayers to admit that evidence can be destroyed if it is not collected.

12:50 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Defense asking about initial conversation with Strickland. Ayers says he was suspicious of Strickland based on his reaction when first mentioning Mo Wilson's name. Defense questions if its possible that Strickland tipped off Armstrong when he was putting on his shoes before going to APD. Ayers agrees its possible.

12:53 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

State redirect: State asks if at initial conversation, detectives informed Colin how and where Mo Wilson died? Ayers says no. Asks Ayers opinion of Strickland at the time of questioning? I needed to rule out his involvement in the crime, Ayers says.Was property seized before issue of search warrant? No, Ayers says, there was no suspect identified yet.

12:56 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

State: Can target-quality ammo kill someone? Without a doubt, Ayers says.No further questions. Witness dismissed.

12:57 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Next witness: Mirezha Guevara, current consultant, former Crime Scene Specialist with APD.

She was the photographer of the search warrant execution at Strickland and Armstrong's home.

1:04 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Photos that Guevara took are being shown to the jury.

Photos:
Exterior of Armstrong/Strickland home. Black Jeep with bike rack parked on right side of driveway, BMW motorcycle on left.
Closeup of rear of Jeep. Upper reflector on right side of bike rack is missing.
Closeup of hubcap and tire.

Guevara says it was not her objective that day to take photos of the motorcycle.

1:13 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Photos:
Interior hallway and front door from the porch looking in. Entry made to recover keys to Jeep, which was locked.
Hallway entrance, living room in background. Wideshot of living room. Messy. Red couch, guitar, record player and records. Books.
Kitchen: Boxes on floor, boxes on counter.
Kitchen table has laptop with pink case and iPad. Various bags hang from chairs.
Kitchen counter with medicines, bags and boxes. One phone plugged in.
Black backpack on kitchen counter with vehicle keys on top of backpack.
Keys have now been retrieved and exterior photos show Guevara approaching Jeep.

1:19 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Photos:
Jeep is now opened. View of driver side seat and wheel. Closeup of center console. Interior Jeep is dirty/dusty. Box sits on the floor of passenger seat.
View of the backseat shows that seats are down and a table and stools are being held in the trunk.

1:21 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Photos:
Back inside. Now inside a bedroom. A wooden desk has a laptop on a stand with a monitor. A second bedroom has exercise equipment and an electronic tablet.
In living room, a counter holds various containers of a "leafy green substance."
Alex note: Appears to me to be marijuana. Guevara continues to refer to it as a "leafy green substance."

1:24 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Guevara says she was not privileged to the incident facts. She knew it was a homicide investigation. She was tasked with documenting possible DNA and firearms evidence.

1:24 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[SteveP]

It seems cycling was far more important to them than housekeeping. Geez, sounds like the place was a pig sty.

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Photos:
Closeup of plugged in cellphone. Time displays 5:27pm, May 12, 2022.
Various missed calls, text messages. Can't read text messages in time to transcribe.
Items on kitchen table. Five $100 bills. Credit cards, TX license plate, passport and passport cards. Investigators laid them out after finding them. Notepads.
Closeup of Kaitlin Marie Armstrong U.S. passport. Passport issued June 2021. Date of expiration is May 2031.
Next to the passport is at least 90 pesos.
Closeup of US Passport Card. Name is Christine Elizabeth Armstrong.
Closeups of vaccination card and healthcare cards.
#KaitlinArmstrong

1:29 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Photos:
Wideshots of garage. At least half a dozen bicycles pictured. Some hanging on wall, others standing on ground. Spandex cycling uniforms hang. Also helmets. Garage appears cluttered, but could be standard for the home of a professional cyclist.

1:31 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[Seattle1]

I'm trying to remember what we know about the initial interaction police had at CS's house but I'm pretty sure they didn't actually speak to KA at that time so I wonder why the defense is taking issue with the footage being shown.

IMO, the state might want this bodycam suppressed because when first questioned, CS denied knowing MW other than he knew of her as a competitive cyclist! I think CS came clean about his relationship with MW when he agreed to go the the PD to continue the interview. I think he was afraid to speak candidly to LE at his home because KA was present.

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

It seems cycling was far more important to them than housekeeping. Geez, sounds like the place was a pig sty.

And if you know you're a suspect in a murder case, at least hide the pot for chrissake (assuming that's what it was!).

 

[jash]

@alcaprari23

Courtroom testimony: Guevara swabbed Jeep for DNA. Next day, supervisor instructed her to swab firearms, magazines, firearm locks.
Guevara processed the firearms for prints. No fingerprints were collected. Samples submitted to central evidence.

Q: Was it unusual to not find fingerprints on gun?
A: No, it's not unusual. I did not see any. I did observe an oily substance on the firearms that was note-worthy.

1:34 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

No further questions. Defense:

Guevara left APD for career advancement. Now works as a consultant.
Guevara says Ayers was the lead investigator of the search warrant. Guevara says she knew it was a murder investigation and her objective was to collect DNA and firearms evidence.

1:37 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

@alcaprari23

Photos:
Closeup of plugged in cellphone. Time displays 5:27pm, May 12, 2022.
Various missed calls, text messages. Can't read text messages in time to transcribe.
Items on kitchen table. Five $100 bills. Credit cards, TX license plate, passport and passport cards. Investigators laid them out after finding them. Notepads.
Closeup of Kaitlin Marie Armstrong U.S. passport. Passport issued June 2021. Date of expiration is May 2031.
Next to the passport is at least 90 pesos.
Closeup of US Passport Card. Name is Christine Elizabeth Armstrong.
Closeups of vaccination card and healthcare cards.
#KaitlinArmstrong

1:29 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Photos:
Wideshots of garage. At least half a dozen bicycles pictured. Some hanging on wall, others standing on ground. Spandex cycling uniforms hang. Also helmets. Garage appears cluttered, but could be standard for the home of a professional cyclist.

1:31 PM · Nov 3, 2023

She had her sister's passport the day after the murder??? Before jetting off to upstate NY?

 

[carolmaria]

@alcaprari23

Photos:
Closeup of plugged in cellphone. Time displays 5:27pm, May 12, 2022.
Various missed calls, text messages. Can't read text messages in time to transcribe.
Items on kitchen table. Five $100 bills. Credit cards, TX license plate, passport and passport cards. Investigators laid them out after finding them. Notepads.
Closeup of Kaitlin Marie Armstrong U.S. passport. Passport issued June 2021. Date of expiration is May 2031.
Next to the passport is at least 90 pesos.
Closeup of US Passport Card. Name is Christine Elizabeth Armstrong.
Closeups of vaccination card and healthcare cards.
#KaitlinArmstrong

1:29 PM · Nov 3, 2023
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@alcaprari23

Photos:
Wideshots of garage. At least half a dozen bicycles pictured. Some hanging on wall, others standing on ground. Spandex cycling uniforms hang. Also helmets. Garage appears cluttered, but could be standard for the home of a professional cyclist.

1:31 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Sibling passport!
Edit: Now… bolting & staying in NY state; who drove her to airport, what did they know?

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

Sibling passport!
Edit: Now… bolting & staying in NY state; who drove her to airport, what did they know?

Right? It was never clear to me if Christie (her sister) still had a residence in Austin or if she had moved to upstate NY in entirety. If she still had an Austin apt, did KA have a key to it? Did she enter and grab the passport on May 12, or did she break into the place?