TX - Moriah Wilson, 25, Cyclist Fatally Shot Before Race, Austin, 2022 *arrest* #7

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Day Five, Nov. 8, first half of the day.

KAITLIN ARMSTRONG MURDER TRIAL

Back.We are now watching the KVUE video attached to the web article. The audio has been muted. In the video, you can see footage of Armstrong walking through the airport. Spitler believes it is footage from LGA.

Spitler says there are a number of instances when Armstrong was searching for her own name from Costa Rica. 5/28 - A search: "can imei be tracked if not making phone calls"Spitler says "imei" refers to a digital fingerprint. A way for a cellphone to be tracked

6/23 Search : "can pineapples burn your fingerprints"6/23: "TIL workers who cut up pineapples eventually lose their fingerprints"Another 6/23 search:

There are numerous searches for rhinoplasty plastic surgery.

Now looking at various Meta forms which show access from Kaitlin Armstrong's Instagram account to Colin Strickland's account and Mo Wilson's account.

Now looking at Strava data for Kaitlin Armstrong on 5/11/22. She went for a morning ride for 24.3 miles lasting 1:28:58. No further questions from the state.



Defense's turn.

Defense asking if Spitler discussed firearms and sharing his opinions about firearms with Strickland. He recalls his opinion about shooting as being "relaxing."Defense asks about the level of proficiency required to make the shots we see in this murder case. Spitler says he can't answer because he doesn't know the distance the shots were fired.


Defense questioning Spitler about his experience as a police officer and homicide detective.

Since 5/11, Spitler says he has lead "about five" homicide investigations since 5/11/22. He says he almost always encounters mistakes that are made along the way.Defense asks about investigative techniques when there are no eyewitnesses. Spitler says he tries to canvas the area of the murder with other detectives.

Defense pulls up the previous map of the neighborhood. Asks if APD attempted to speak to residents in each and every home on Maple Ave. Spitler says "he does not believe so." Spitler agrees he did not personally speak to every resident. Spitler agrees there were no residents who heard the gunshots nor saw Armstrong at the scene of the murder.

Defense asking if Spitler reached out to people who knew Colin Strickland, Caitlin Cash and Mo Wilson. Spitler says he spoke to Wilson's roommate, friends and family. Defense asking for Spitler to open and review his supplemental investigative document.

Defense is asking how, with no eyewitnesses to the murder, Spitler labeled Armstrong as a suspect. Spitler says he didn't, he listed her as a "possible suspect.”

Defense asking about Mo Wilson's ex, Gunner Shaw. Spitler confirms there was a history of domestic violence. Defense wonders why more attention wasn't paid to Shaw. Spitler says his alibi checked out and didn't match with timeline, but admits that he didn't know that information at the time he ruled him out.

Now defense asking about a 2nd interrogation with Colin Strickland. In this interview, Spitler asks Strickland if he knew anyone who might have wanted to hurt or Kill Wilson. Strickland didn't know anyone, but mentioned ex-boyfriends.Spitler says Strickland mentioned Gunner Shaw by name. Strickland mentioned that Shaw was not happy with Wilson's relationship with Strickland.

Spitler says he spoke to Shaw and another ex, Allen Lim, in July 2022. He said he was working against his theory that "Armstrong committed this murder." Every single lead kept coming back to Spitler that Armstrong was the murderer.

The jury has been dismissed so that the defense can help Spitler refresh his memory. Spitler seems to be contradicting on the stand what the defense believes is on-the-record testimony and on-the-record evidence. After a brief back-and-forth and clarification, both sides have now agreed that Spitler was confused if the defense was asking about Gunner Shaw or Allen Lim. Jury is being brought back in!

Spitler says he was calling Lim because "he wasn't sure what the defense was going to pull." Spitler admits that he lied to Lim, essentially telling him he wasn't a suspect in this murder, so that way he could get him to cooperate. Defense: "Were you interested in eliminating potential suspects or were you simply trying to defeat defense arguments?" Spitler: "Probably both.”

Defense wonders if Spitler was trying to eliminate other potential suspects to make the case against Armstrong. Basically not doing true due-dilligence.Spitler says his goal was to find the truth. He wants to end suffering for the victim's family, the police department, for the deceased.

Defense asking about physical evidence and how detectives can decide if it is inculpatory or exculpatory.Spitler says he "believes" all evidence was analyzed.Defense bewildered that the lead detective doesn't know for certain if all evidence was anlalyzed.

Defense asking about a "rape kit" that was performed on Wilson vagina during her autopsy. It was collected as evidence. The rape kit in this case was not forensically analyzed, Spitler admits.Defense: "We will never know what evidence was present in that kit, will we?"Spitler: "We will not."Spitler says there was no evidence of sexual assault. Spitler was the one who chose not to have the rape kit tested.

Spitler says digital evidence can be deleted from the surface of a program, but can be kept in the memory of a program. Photos, apps, searches, emails, conversations can all be accessed from digital extractions. Spitler disagrees that it takes an expert to find this information.

Now discussing the laptops, phones and tablets that were seized from the property on 5/12. Spitler says that Strickland "really wanted his laptop back."On 5/19, Spitler received a search warrant to search Armstrong's laptop. Strickland's laptop was not forensically analyzed.

Spitler admits that in hindsight, it's likely that important information about this case could have existed on Strickland's laptop. But at that point in time, Strickland only "appeared to be a witness.”

On 5/19, Spitler allowed Strickland to retrieve his laptop. Spitler says he searched the laptop beforehand, but did not insist on a trained forensic expert to perform a thorough extraction.Spitler admits Strickland's laptop, which was a piece of evidence at one point, is the only evidence which is no longer in custody of APD/criminal courts.Spitler says he returned it to Strickland because he wanted him to be cooperative. Even though Strickland gave permission for his laptop to be extracted, defense grills Spitler as to why he didn't take that step.

Defense: "Did you treat Colin Strickland differently because he was a minor celebrity?"Spitler: "No sir."

Spitler admits that 5/12/22 wasn't the first time he met Strickland. The two had met at a Taco Deli while he was on patrol about three years prior to the murder. Defense seizing on the opportunity that Spitler might have known and favored Strickland all along.

Spitler discussing his understanding of NIBIN, a network of ballistic information and evidence that investigators use to track and trace spent shell casings at crime scenes. Spitler admits that some inaccuracies were discovered in this case from NIBIN investigation.

#BREAKING: Defense moves for a mistrial saying that the district attorney did not turn over key evidence related to the vandalism report that happened in the days following the murder. He says this information is consequential to this murder.

Defense: "It is assuredly material. It is clear the police department never turned it over to the DA, to the defense..."Judge has heard enough. Denies motion for mistrial.

State is saying that he can get access to the vandalism report and they can enter it into evidence. Says he would be okay with a continuation if that's what the defense needs.ADA: "[Defense] misinterprets the law...Judge ultimately reminds everyone she denied the motion for a mistrial and urges the defense to move on.Wow, that was a really epic and heart-pounding moment of this case. Turned on a dime in an instant!

Defense asking Spitler why criminal mischief and vandalism wasn't further investigated. Spitler says he doesn't know who even investigated the vandalism at the house. Says he believes Armstrong was the one to pushed over the motorcycle.

Defense asking if Spitler had tunnel vision with this case of murder and separate case of vandalism. Spitler insists he doesn't regret not turning over the vandalism report to DA or defense.

Spitler says he does not agree this case is a "love triangle." Calls that term dramatic. Says he is aware that news agencies reported it as a "love triangle."Spitler says based on the evidence, he believes Armstrong was a jealous person. He believe jealousy was a possible motive for murder.

Q: "Isn't it true that your focus on Kaitlin Armstrong's jealousy biased your opinion?"A: "No sir."

No further questions from the defense.



State's re-direct.

State says he was just handed a 9-page report (presumably of the vandalism incident) which he is entering into the record. A copy was handed to the defense. The defense is being given an opportunity to report it.

State following up about the rape kit. Asking Spitler to share what evidence he believes leads to a possibility of sexual assault. Spitler says he has no evidence of sexual assault.

Evidence appears Wilson was scrolling her phone, eating chocolate, fully dressed. All reasons why Spitler does not suspect sexual assault. A potential rape would not have any of these clues, Spitler says.

Spitler says investigators do not have cell phone location data for Armstrong on the night of the murder because she turned her phone off as she was approaching Maple Ave.

We are taking our lunch break now. Court resumes at 2:15pmCT.


 
It is not viewed as weird. Texas is huge and diverse. 30 million of its inhabitants live in different circumstances and their interests vary, too. IMHO, not having a gun in Texas or not growing around guns, and mainly, nor being interested in guns, should not be viewed as weird or odd, either.

gotcha.
I find it odd he bought a gun but never tried to load it or take it to a range. If he needed it as self defense how would he load it in time?
 
@alcaprari23

Spitler says investigators do not have cell phone location data for Armstrong on the night of the murder because she turned her phone off as she was approaching Maple Ave.
Well they certainly have the location where she was when she turned it off and the location where she was when she turned it back on. I wonder if there are any other apps on her phone that have tracking locations that she was unable to turn off.
 
@JessicaTaylorTX

Spitler shared that a ‘CCH’ shows criminal history, what a person has been arrested or convicted of. Defense is showing Spitler part of the document - showing warrant for Armstrong became “live” on May 18. Spitler says that the warrant actually became live May 17.



I remember this being a discussion here on WS... was the warrant valid as of the date it was signed or the date it was "filed". And would KA have known about it (she flew to Costa Rica on May 18).
 
Last edited:
Carissa Lehmkuhl
@CarissaonFOX7

Defense points out that Det. Spitler did not issue search warrant for Strickland’s laptop. Det. Spitler looked through it personally before returning it.
Det. Spitler says he would have needed Strickland’s consent, which could be withdrawn, and it would have been a timely process
1:33 PM · Nov 8, 2023

Defense asks if absolutely anything on Strickland's laptop could have been relevant to the case/contributed to investigation.
Det. Spitler: "Looking back on it now - I would say yes, but unfortunately hindsight is something we don’t have the luxury of."
@fox7austin
1:35 PM · Nov 8, 2023

Woah - defense moves for a mistrial.
Says they just learned that APD created a report regarding the vandalism that occurred at Strickland’s home the day after the murder and the DA never provided defense with that report.
Judge dismisses motion for mistrial.
@fox7austin
1:45 PM · Nov 8, 2023

Vandalism report will be shared with defense. Defense moves on.

Asks Det. Spitler:
Do you believe that Armstrong was a jealous person?

In your interview with Strickland who was the first person that brought up the word jealous? (Det. Spitler believes he did but wasn't sure)
1:51 PM · Nov 8, 2023

It appears State has obtained vandalism report and has shared with defense. State now questioning Det. Spitler.
@fox7austin
1:59 PM · Nov 8, 2023

Lunch break until 2:15 p.m.
2:27 PM · Nov 8, 2023
 
Yes, I remember that.

How would the doorbell cam pick up the gunshots if a silencer was used?

On a number of other cases we have followed on WS, it has been explained that the use of a silencer doesn't actually mean that the gunshots are "silent." So not sure if the ringcam would pick up the sounds when someone watching television or playing music or other would not hear them. I assume if that is an issue, the defense will bring it up.
 
At that point the detective knew KA was basically running CS's business and had all his passwords (from what CS had previously told him). Would that not have been enough to convince a judge to sign a warrant for a laptop that KA had access to and might contain evidence?

I am sure he would have had no problem convincing a judge that they needed to search the laptop and get probable cause.
 
The State presented a series of pieces of phone and email records tied to the case. Spitler said he issued “25-30” search warrants related to this type of information.

Below is a list of what Spitler said investigators found in those records:
  • A recently deleted note from Armstrong’s notes mobile application with the address 1704 Maple Avenue. Wilson died at 1708 Maple Avenue.
  • Google subscriber information from Armstrong’s records indicating the creation of a new email address in the days after Wilson’s murder. Below are the records find sent to that email.
    • Uber receipt from Armstrong’s home to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
    • A Southwest Airlines itinerary email with “Kaitlin Armstrong’s trip” written in the subject line.
    • An email about a prepared Visa card addressed to “Kaitlin”
    • Reservation for a flight from Newark to Costa Rica with the traveler information listed as “Christie Armstrong.” Armstrong’s sister’s full name is Christine.
    • VPN purchase
    • Skype purchase
    • From information listed in the Google subscriber “search folder,” records showed searches for English/Spanish translations, and searches for “Kaitlin Armstrong” that yielded news coverage results.

    • Detective addresses Kaitlin Armstrong’s online searches in days, weeks after Wilson’s death
 
Spitler says he does not agree this case is a "love triangle." Calls that term dramatic. Says he is aware that news agencies reported it as a "love triangle."Spitler says based on the evidence, he believes Armstrong was a jealous person. He believe jealousy was a possible motive for murder.


Q: "Isn't it true that your focus on Kaitlin Armstrong's jealousy biased your opinion?"
A: "No sir."

@alcaprari23

Guess he doesn't know what the definition of a love triangle is. This will hurt him, IMO, that he is playing amateur psychologist when he is not trained in that area, as far as we know. The defense is doing a good job with this key witness.
 
The State presented a series of pieces of phone and email records tied to the case. Spitler said he issued “25-30” search warrants related to this type of information.

Below is a list of what Spitler said investigators found in those records:
  • A recently deleted note from Armstrong’s notes mobile application with the address 1704 Maple Avenue. Wilson died at 1708 Maple Avenue.
  • Google subscriber information from Armstrong’s records indicating the creation of a new email address in the days after Wilson’s murder. Below are the records find sent to that email.
    • Uber receipt from Armstrong’s home to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
    • A Southwest Airlines itinerary email with “Kaitlin Armstrong’s trip” written in the subject line.
    • An email about a prepared Visa card addressed to “Kaitlin”
    • Reservation for a flight from Newark to Costa Rica with the traveler information listed as “Christie Armstrong.” Armstrong’s sister’s full name is Christine.
    • VPN purchase
    • Skype purchase
    • From information listed in the Google subscriber “search folder,” records showed searches for English/Spanish translations, and searches for “Kaitlin Armstrong” that yielded news coverage results.

    • Detective addresses Kaitlin Armstrong’s online searches in days, weeks after Wilson’s death
Did I miss it somewhere the dates on these items?
 
@alcaprari23

Spitler recounting all the data from Strickland's phone that helps prove his innocence: his cell phone data, his cell phone location, the fact that Strickland was talking to a friend on the phone at the time Mo Wilson was murdered. Spitler says he is "very comfortable" with this digital evidence and it is not tunnel vision or confirmation bias.


3:35 PM · Nov 8, 2023
 
@alcaprari23

Q: "If Colin Strickland's DNA had come back on the rape kit, would that change your analysis of this case?"A: "We could play what-ifs all day... that was never any evidence that was there and I have no reason to believe that either of them had sexual intercourse that evening... there is no evidence to suggest that he would have committed a sexual offence in the time that she unlocked the door and his motorcycle is seen driving down the alley..."


3:42 PM · Nov 8, 2023
 
@alcaprari23

Q: "If Colin Strickland's DNA had come back on the rape kit, would that change your analysis of this case?"A: "We could play what-ifs all day... that was never any evidence that was there and I have no reason to believe that either of them had sexual intercourse that evening... there is no evidence to suggest that he would have committed a sexual offence in the time that she unlocked the door and his motorcycle is seen driving down the alley..."


3:42 PM · Nov 8, 2023
I've heard of quickies, but damn! Defense attorney is grasping at straws.
 
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