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

[jash]

I don't know if anyone posted this reporter's tweets on Friday afternoon. He captured some quotes that I didn't read elsewhere.




Tony Plohetski
@tplohetski

THREAD: In a pivotal moment in the #KaitlinArmstrong trial, famed cyclist Colin Strickland, who was with Moriah Wilson the night she died, has taken the stand.Follow his testimony here:
3:44 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Strickland said he and Armstrong had a pattern of breaking up and getting back together. She had moved in with him because of the winter storm of 2021. Their relationship remained tumultuous, he says.She lived in the house despite short periods of breaking up, Strickland says.
3:47 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Strickland describes his relationship with Armstrong. He relays a time when he told Armstrong about a young woman he saw in Colorado. Armstrong then sent Strickland a photograph of the woman that she had sent Strickland, with prosecutors raising that Armstrong accessed his phone.
3:54 PM · Nov 3, 2023

The visit to the woman in Colorado "was in no way romantic," but Strickland said he told Armstrong in an effort to be "transparent."
3:55 PM · Nov 3, 2023

In May 2022, Strickland says Armstrong had reached stability in their relationship. Strickland says he met Wilson at a 3-day gravel bicycle race in Idaho in September 2021 with several hundred people."She was obviously an immense talent," he says.
3:57 PM · Nov 3, 2023

In Bentonville, Ark., in January 2022, he went on a mountain bike ride causing friction in his relationship w/ Armstrong. He did not invite her to go on the ride "because she did not have the skill."Strickland says he had encouraged Armstrong to take up bike racing.
4:06 PM · Nov 3, 2023

"She was perturbed that I went on that ride with other female cyclists," Strickland says of Armstrong. The experience ended their relationship, he says. "It was extremely clear" they were no longer dating.
4:08 PM · Nov 3, 2023

At the end of October 2021, Strickland and Wilson went on dates while she was visiting friends in Austin, and at that time, he was broken up with Armstrong. At that point, the two became romantic, he says. Armstrong's possessions remained at his house.
4:12 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Strickland discusses the purchase of handguns at McBride's in Austin in December 2021. Armstrong was w/ him. Armstrong often expressed "paranoia" about being alone on a bike in the woods and after a road-rage incident. "It led us to a conclusion it would be reasonble," he says.
4:34 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Strickland says by the spring, he was clear with Armstrong that he was not in a romantic relationship with Wilson.
4:42 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Strickland confirms that he entered Wilson's name as "Christine Wall" in his cell phone "simply to avoid conflict with the defendant."
5:29 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Strickland said desired to see Wilson "in my home city" and finalized plans to meet the day of the murder over text. Wilson gave him address where she was staying. Strickland acknowledge he didn't tell Armstrong he planned to meet Wilson: "From past experience, I simply did not."
5:41 PM · Nov 3, 2023

During his interview with APD, Strickland is asked about a black Jeep. When he was told that a Jeep was right by where the murder happened, "It was very shocking information," he says.
6:13 PM · Nov 3, 2023

Strickland said he encouraged Armstrong to write down a timeline of where she was "so it could be explained.""I suggested that several times. I asked her, 'where were you and make a record of it.'" He asked her if she was at Wilson's apartment. She denied it.
6:18 PM · Nov 3, 2023

 

[jash]

I guess we'll know for certain if/when the camera/reporter files assault charges.

I only personally viewed the part where the cameraman walked backwards into the barrier. "Push the camera away" is what I heard from the news broadcaster.

Not to beat a dead horse but if you want to see the incident, it's right at the beginning of the video here (right around 5 seconds in):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1720583605540331901

What it looks like to me is the camera person is stationary and is standing as far out of the way as possible (there is a raised planter right behind their legs). Beyond that I can't tell if CS didn't see them and accidentally bumped into them/the camera or if it was intentional. Either way, the camera person had no way of avoiding the contact.

 

[Seattle1]

Retired Tx judge explains weighing decision on whether to allow cameras in the courtroom for a trial or not.

10/31/23 - Kaitlin Armstrong trial: Cameras only allowed for opening, closing statements

 

[Mariposa]

She actually did get a better job. She got her real estate license and was supposed to work for Sotheby's, until she blew up her life by taking Mo's.

Moriah Wilson murder: What we know so far about the crime and Kaitlin Armstrong

KVUE answered several major questions related to the murder of cyclist Moriah Wilson at an Austin home.

www.kvue.com

Armstrong, the primary suspect in Wilson's murder, is a yoga instructor and an independent real estate contractor.

Her real estate license has been sponsored by Kuper Sotheby's International Realty since the beginning of 2022. However, in a statement, the company said that she had not yet started her career selling real estate and she is no longer affiliated with the brokerage.

Interesting that Kuper Sotheby said she had not yet started her real estate career yet. And I don’t think there’s been any evidence that she was actively employed as a yoga instructor anywhere at the time of the crime. Her money making activities seem more linked up with CS (the Wheelhouse Mobile business, the real estate endeavors) than independent. The claim she was a well off real estate investor on her own seems questionable, CS testified she only started living with him in 2021 because her apartment flooded. If her financial well-being was so enmeshed with her life with CS that may be an additional insight into mental state about the relationship.
JMO

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Who says real estate is a "better" job than yoga instructor? The world needs both. Having this job, that job, or no job isn't the cause of any of this. She already had her hands on much of CS's savings anyway. I don't think she was desperately grasping onto this relationship due to finances.

She wanted full 100% control of "her" man and is now on trial for allegedly planning a murder to show it. This is all about people's characters (or lack thereof), IMO.

 

[Seattle1]

Interesting that Kuper Sotheby said she had not yet started her real estate career yet. And I don’t think there’s been any evidence that she was actively employed as a yoga instructor anywhere at the time of the crime. Her money making activities seem more linked up with CS (the Wheelhouse Mobile business, the real estate endeavors) than independent. The claim she was a well off real estate investor on her own seems questionable, CS testified she only started living with him in 2021 because her apartment flooded. If her financial well-being was so enmeshed with her life with CS that may be an additional insight into mental state about the relationship.
JMO

I dunno... I have a hard time equating 'well off' real estate investor with a scam artist that steals Botox injections. Who does that? KA felt she was entitled to the service for free. IMO, this also follows somebody who kills a woman in cold blood and submits a petition in advance of trial requesting any imprisonment suspended for community supervision!

I think KA saw herself piggybacking off of CS hobby turned business ventures involving rebuilding diesel engines from older F250 trucks and rehabbing vintage Spartan and Airstream trailers.

In the video below, it's obvious that this is not something CS/KA thought up for the first time in 2020-21 after they started dating but something CS has been exposed to for decades. To be fair, I did read that KA was instrumental in the marketing aspects such as social media and the website for the endeavor -- aspects of the operation easily contracted out.

IIRC, this shop property located in Lockart, TX (in the video) is the property CS/KA purchased together before the formation of the LLC but I don't think the real estate was ever transferred to the business entity which was very short lived given the May 2022 murder. MOO

Wheelhouse Mobile: Where Colin Strickland's Love Of Machines Meets Central Texas Gravel

Go inside Colin Strickland's Wheelhouse Mobile, a truck and trailer resto-mod business in the making located on Colin's favorite gravel training routes.

www.flobikes.com

 

[steeltowngirl]

My understanding is CS will be back on the stand on Monday to finish testimony (left off from last Friday) w/prosecution ... and then there is defense's cross-examination, and then if prosecution chooses to redirect.

-- Then CS witness will be released (unless they choose to call him back at another point). Which is doubtful as this trial is moving along fairly quick. moo

It will be interesting to see how defense approaches their cross-examination of CS. I expect they will try to emphasize the perceived “better” parts of KA’s character, as seen through CS’s eyes.

I would also imagine defense will need to tread carefully if they try to question CS about “playing“ both women. The jury could view it as motive for KA to murder Mo - basically feeding into the prosecution‘s case.

jmo

 

[arielilane]

Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial: A look back at week 1

https://twitter.com/x/status/1721456147519963546

Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial: A look back at week 1

November 5, 2023 6:49PM

...

It remains to be seen whether the defense will try to present an alternative theory of the crime. If Armstrong didn't kill Wilson, who did?

Austin-based defense attorney Rick Flores says not doing that could be risky.

"The defense doesn't really have to present any sort of theory or evidence," Flores said. "If they wanted to, they could just sit there and let the prosecution present all of the evidence. But in a case like this, the jury is certainly going to be wanting an explanation of why those things happened."

The defense will begin calling witnesses next week.

 

[pseudo_hum]

off-topic;
IMO, I think KA should get a refund on her nose job.

 

[Megnut]

Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial: A look back at week 1

https://twitter.com/x/status/1721456147519963546

Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial: A look back at week 1

November 5, 2023 6:49PM

...

It remains to be seen whether the defense will try to present an alternative theory of the crime. If Armstrong didn't kill Wilson, who did?

Austin-based defense attorney Rick Flores says not doing that could be risky.

"The defense doesn't really have to present any sort of theory or evidence," Flores said. "If they wanted to, they could just sit there and let the prosecution present all of the evidence. But in a case like this, the jury is certainly going to be wanting an explanation of why those things happened."

The defense will begin calling witnesses next week.

The defense tried to open with their closing argument so I predict the trial will continue with ineffectual cross (not ineffectual counsel, just ineffective cross) and will close with their opening.

What else can they do?

Present an expert or two but to say what?

She's sunk.

JMO

 

[SteveP]

off-topic;
IMO, I think KA should get a refund on her nose job.

Probably hasn't occurred to her, as she usually just runs out without paying.

 

[lindylou]

I cannot understand why there are so many people blaming CS.
KA clearly is a master manipulator who should be locked up for life.
So sad to see that an innocent friendship resulted in this. RIP MW.
It will be interesting to watch the rest of the trial.I am sure we will have more surprises.

 

[arielilane]

#KaitlinArmstrong’s trial resumes this morning. I’m in a short line to get into the courtroom. Court will begin at 9 A.M.

https://twitter.com/JessicaTaylorTX

 

[RickshawFan]

RSBM.

While I believe Texas still allows crimes of passion to result in a lesser charge, by definition those are crimes committed with 'no malice aforethought'.

This murder was clearly planned and premeditated. KA drove to the victim's residence to shoot her. It would never qualify.


Edit - As an aside I just looked this up, and until 1973 it was legal in Texas for a husband to kill his wife's lover as long as he did it while they were still in 'the act'.

I was once in a country where this happened as an excuse for political murder. The president was the gun wielder, and the murder took place in the victim’s yard (as witnessed by the German ambassador through his backyard hedge). Problem was, he arranged his wife in the dead man’s bed for evidence photos. There never was an act. IIRC you were only entitled to kill the perp if you caught him in flagrante in your bed, and not his, or something to that effect. So, there were local political repercussions.

That’s not Texas, but it was the 1970’s, and there were ideas out there like that. Maybe random despots even got them from Texas law. However, this still doesn’t cover a woman murdering a jealous rival. Maybe Title 9 (i.e.post 1970’s) has emboldened women? Made them confident in their physicality, so their crimes seem less dainty?
Just a thought.

 

[arielilane]

There will be no court tomorrow due to the judge's schedule and no court on Friday, because of the federal holiday. moo

 

[arielilane]

KAITLIN ARMSTRONG: The murder trial resumes today. Key witness Colin Strickland, in the hat and mask here, will continue his testimony. He was dating Armstrong at the time of the murder + the last person to see victim Mo Wilson. Live updates on this thread this AM @KXAN_News

https://twitter.com/x/status/1721541125880611324

 

[arielilane]

KAITLIN ARMSTRONG MURDER TRIAL

Video is Colin Strickland entering the Travis County Courthouse Monday. He will continue testifying today.On Friday, he described his "tumultuous" relationship with #KaitlinArmstrong & shared his memories from the night Mo Wilson was killed.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1721542575176163837

 

[jash]

IIRC, this shop property located in Lockart, TX (in the video) is the property CS/KA purchased together before the formation of the LLC but I don't think the real estate was ever transferred to the business entity which was very short lived given the May 2022 murder. MOO

As far as I know, the properties directly related to the business in Lockhart were always in Colin's name alone. They did buy another property together (single family home) in Lockhart. It looks like this past summer, the deed was transferred from Colin & Kaitlin to Kaitlin's mom then back to Colin alone.

Caldwell CAD Property Search

esearch.caldwellcad.org

Deed Date	Type	Description	Grantor	Grantee	Volume	Page	Number
7/26/2023	SWD	SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED	ARMSTRONG SHARON	STRICKLAND COLIN			2023-004785
6/22/2023	SWD	SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED	ARMSTRONG KAITLIN & STRICKLAND COLIN	ARMSTRONG SHARON			2023-003769
5/18/2021	WD	WARRANTY DEED	BRILLIANT EQUITY LLC	ARMSTRONG KAITLIN & STRICKLAND COLIN			2021-003641

 

[arielilane]

Kaitlin Armstrong has entered the courtroom. She is wearing a black pantsuit and a Carolina blue blouse. She enters silently and takes her seat without a word. Four sheriff's deputies escort her in, three take seats beside and behind her.

The jury takes their seats. So does Colin Strickland on the witness stand. He keeps his eyes low and his head bowed. The state will continue its questioning where it left off on Friday.

https://twitter.com/alcaprari23

 

[arielilane]

State begins by asking about Kaitlin Armstrong's sister, Christy. Strickland says that he believes she was living in NYC at the time of the murder.Strickland says he has never fired either of the pistols he and Armstrong bought. He says Armstrong used the weapons because he has seen pictures of her using it at the firing range.

There is a bit more strength in Colin's voice today compared to Friday. He is still keeping his eyes downcast, but on Friday he was barely speaking above a whisper. We can hear him much more clearly today.

https://twitter.com/alcaprari23