Next witness: Jacqueline Chasteen, lives in Bentonville, Arkansas. She and her husband are heavily involved in cycling community.Chasteen met Colin and then met Armstrong through Colin. Her husband was a photographer who would shoot races.
In Bentonville, similar to Austin, there is also a restaurant called The Meteor. It is a local hangout for cyclists. It is the same chain as the one in
#ATX.Chasteen met Armstrong in 2019 when they were staying with Strickland for his birthday. She and her husband stayed at Colin's home. Upon meeting Armstrong, the two women became friends.
Chasteen says she would see Armstrong a few times a year. She became closer with Kaitlin and would send occasional messages on IG and FB.Observations of Colin/Armstrong relationship: In the beginning, Colin was head over heels. Toward 2021, they weren't doing well. Armstrong confided she didn't know where the relationship stood. Chasteen says that Colin kept Armstrong at "an arms distance." He would say he didn't have a girlfriend.
Chasteen recalls an afterparty at the Meteor in Bentonville. Upon arrival, Armstrong was shooken up. She was trembling and shaking. She told Chasteen that she had found out that Colin had cheated on her but they were back together. Chasteen says Armstrong said Colin had cheated on her with Mo.
Wilson was also at the Meteor at this moment, which is why she believed Armstrong was so upset. Armstrong tells her that Mo was still texting him and reaching out. Armstrong told her that Colin was trying to keep Mo away, but Mo wouldn't leave him alone.
Chasteen did not see Strickland or Wilson interact that night. Chasteen did not see Armstrong or Wilson interact that night.The next day, Chasteen texted Armstrong, thanking her for sharing that information. Chasteen didn't think that they were close enough to share those things, so she thanked her for her honesty and offered support.
We are now looking at those text messages between Chasteen and Armstrong. The date is 1/31/22."Was really good seeing you this weekend. I appreciate you sharing last night and I'm really sorry you're going through this right now. You deserve someone that makes you feel loved. Whoever that might be. Let's go on a trip soon. I'm thinking March.”
Chasteen on the witness stand: "I had told her I was sorry, that I was going through this. She had described how Colin had cheated but while she was describing that, she had said in so many words that she wanted to kill her. That she had thought about it. But how she said it at the time I didn't take it seriously...she said something to the effect that she had bought a gun... I do know the words kill and the words gun were used.”
New texts on screen from Armstrong to Chasteen: "So nice to see you. Sorry to unload so many emotions, it just all came spilling and you being there for me really meant a lot. Definitely available. I would love that.”
Response from Chasteen: "I was happy you felt comfortable talking to me. Anytime you need someone to listen don't hesitate to text or call.”
In the courtroom, Chasteen says she did not know Armstrong liked or owned guns. Had never seen her shoot a gun.In the spring of 2022, Chasteen recalls seeing IG pictures of KA in Mexico alone. Chasteen asked if her and Colin were okay, and Armstrong said yes.
Chasteen says her husband called her after he was contacted informing him that Mo Wilson was killed. She says he didn't have any information about it, but said it might be a burglary. They hang up, but later, he calls again and says that Strickland was the last person Mo was seen with.Hearing this, Chasteen gasped, recalling the conversation she had with Kaitlin at the Meteor.
Chasteen reaches out to APD after sleeping on it. Called the next morning and told them what she knew. At first, she was anonymous. Later on, she revealed her identity to APD.
During the course of the investigation, Chasteen agreed to give her name and be identified. She wanted to be anonymous at first because she didn't want to be wrapped up in the murder. No further questions from the state.
Defense's turn:
Asking about the races in Arkansas. Who attended them? Q: Was Moriah a big name in cycling? The It-Girl of those races in 2022? A: Yes.
Q: Is that why it would be such a big deal that she had been murdered? A: Yes, it was shocking to me.
Her husband did social media for various cycling sponsorships, which is why Chasteen's husband was initially notified. He would have to put out some sort of press release/social post about the event.Defense questions why first phone call from her husband referenced burglary? 2nd phone call really helped her paint the imagery of Armstrong being involved.
Chasteen says there were previous text messages between her and Armstrong before the text messages we viewed on scene. Chasteen says she provided those texts to the district attorney and APD.
Chasteen can't recall if Armstrong stayed at Colin's home the evenings that she and her husband stayed in
#ATX to help Colin shoot some social media videos. Chasteen says the two had just started dating.
Chasteen says she did not tell her husband that Colin had cheated when Armstrong confided that to her. She says she did not share with her husband that Armstrong had mentioned a gun and killing someone. Chasteen says she didn't take Armstrong seriously in that moment.
Witness dismissed.Next witness. Keith Cox, General Manager, Carmax. Says there is surveillance video at the dealership.
