Gypsy Road
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And he was doing it in front of the jury!yea, judge just put him in his place, he kept talking when she kept asking him to stop
And he was doing it in front of the jury!yea, judge just put him in his place, he kept talking when she kept asking him to stop
He was asking to have something unsealed — ??? I thought I also heard him mention rape kit.What the heck was the defense asking at the end? He is just rude. Man, like he wanted the jury to keep hearing what he was saying even though the judge was trying to stop him.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS: KAITLIN ARMSTRONG MURDER TRIAL
Both the prosecution and the defense have rested their cases. Today is the day they present their strongest arguments to the jury before deliberations. If found guilty, Defendant Kaitlin Armstrong could spend the rest of her life in prison. Live tweeting continues below.
The Wilson family enters the courthouse.
The Armstrong family enters the courthouse.
Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom. She is wearing a black pantsuit and dark teal blouse. She does not make eye contact with anyone as she enters. She takes her seat at the defense table. Two rows behind her sits her parents and her sister, Christine.
The courtroom is nearly packed. There are a few open seats, but not many. The Wilson family and Caitlin Cash take their usual spots in the front row behind the prosecution. Typically at this time before the proceedings begin there is chatter in the courtroom. Today there is a nervous silence.
Caitlin Cash is having a private conversation with Assistant District Attorney Rickey Jones. I've seen them interact a few times over the past 2.5 weeks and it's clear they have a good relationship. She gives him an encouraging pat on the shoulder before taking her seat. I believe Jones will be delivering the closing arguments for the State. He was the one who gave the opening statements.
Mo Wilson's bike can be seen in the well of the courtroom. Her bike helmet hangs from the handlebars and her red bottle is in its holder. I anticipate that bicycle will be used as a prop for the jury to see during closing arguments. Experts testified that Kaitlin Armstrong's DNA was found on the handlebars and seat.
I know everyone is eagerly waiting and wondering what's going on. Don't worry, the proceedings have not begun yet. Jury is not in the courtroom. Attorney teams are each taking turns visiting with the judge.
Jury has entered the courtroom. Before entering, the bailiffs put documents that includes Armstrong's charge on their seats. The judge will now explain the contents of that document so the jury understands what it is they are deliberating.
Charge: The defendant stands charged with the offense of murder alleged to have been committed in Travis County, TX on May 11, 2022. Armstrong has plead not guilty.
The Judge is reading through the multiple-page document. Each jury member is reading along from their own document in front of them. Judge reminds the jury that a defendant is to be presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jury instructions are over. Closing arguments will begin shortly.
The state will present first. Assistant District Attorney Rick Jones will present.Jones thanks the jury for being attentive, taking notes. He says the State offered 38 witnesses and he thanks them for listening to each.
Jones says in the defense's opening, they called Kaitlin Armstrong a "shrinking violet." The next slide, it shows a video of Armstrong shooting her 9mm gun."This is that shrinking violet!" Jones exclaims.
Next slide, the video and audio (played at full volume) of a woman screaming and three consecutive gunshots. Prosecutors say that's Mo Wilson running for her life and fighting off Kaitlin Armstrong in the home of Caitlin Cash."The last thing Mo Wilson did was scream in terror," the slide declares.
"She stood over her after she shot her in the head twice and put another bullet in her heart.... you heard the medical examiner. That third bullet was in her heart.”
Now to the attempted escape. State says that "Kaitlin was not just running from sheriff's officer, she was running from you, the jury. Because she knew that on 11/1, the Day of the Dead, this trial would start, and she had to face you, a jury of her peers."Jones plays the escape video for the jury to see. In his standard theatrics, he takes the time pointing to each member of the jury and tells them that Armstrong was running from them.
Jones now explaining the charge of first degree murder.Murder: Person intentionally or knowingly causes the death of an individual.Goes through the definitions of key terms: intentionally, knowingly, individual, serious bodily injury, firearm.
Jones says the jury must be unanimous in their decision that the defendant is guilty of murder. Do not need to be unanimous in how they got there.What's needed to prove:On or about May 11, 2022, in Travis County, TX, that Kaitlin Armstrong did intentionally or knowingly cause the death of Mo Wilson OR intended to cause serious bodily injury and committed an act clearly dangerous to human life that caused the death of Mo Wilson.
Jones: "Defense asked why did we not exclude every other gun in the world? Well, No one else in the world with a Sig Sauer P365 left their DNA at the scene. No one else in the world was angry and jealous about their boyfriend being with Mo Wilson. No one else in the world had their Jeep circling the location of the murder. No one else left the scene of the murder in Kaitlin Armstrong's Jeep 2 minutes after the murder." "No one else in the world fits this criteria.”
"Only Kaitlin Armstrong," Jones declares with emphasis. The jury is hanging on to every word.
Jones reminds the jury of the testimony from Armstrong's friends, Nicole Mertz and Jacqueline Chasteen. Both told the jury that Armstrong was shaking in anger and jealousy. Both testified that they heard Kaitlin talking about killing Mo Wilson. And both friends called the police after hearing about the murder.
Jones reminds the jury of the surveillance video. It didn't capture Caitlin Cash's stairs or where the Jeep is believed to have parked. But it did capture a black Jeep with a bike rack circling the streets of the eventual crime scene.
Jones says that while the defense may argue that it could have been any black Jeep in Austin, he says you can't argue against the evidence that shows Armstrong's Jeep GPS coordinates at the area of the crime scene. Armstrong's phone was traveling inside that same Jeep up until the point it was turned off. That same Jeep takes off from East Austin two minutes after the murder. And Armstrong's phone turns on as she pulls back up and into Strickland's home.
Jones says it's not likely that her cellphone and Jeep were stolen because there were text messages from Kaitlin's phone with sensitive information about her address and pending lawsuit. Only Kaitlin Armstrong would know that, Jones states.
Proof that Armstrong was there when Mo Wilson was shot:-Gun Shots at 9:15-Jeep parked in alley and leaves after gun shots-Kaitlin's DNA bon bike-Casings match Kaitlin's gun-Mo Wilson shot in the heart
Jones shows a picture of Mo Wilson at a recent race she won. Calls her a 25-year-old prodigy. "Taken from Matt and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, at the age of 25!"With an emphasized point with his fingers, the jury turns their attention and looks at the Wilson family in the front row. Some people in the gallery sigh with heartbreak.
"This state has met it's burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt," Jones says. "Don't do me a favor. Do Mo Wilson a favor." "We can get out here quickly and find her guilty of shooting Mo Wilson in the head and heart and taking away this prodigy at the age of 25!”
The state has ended its closing arguments. Defense Attorney Rick Cofer will give his closing argument now.
Defense Attorney Rick Cofer will give his closing argument now.
A real vandal would have put one or more of the pavers through the windshield(s) of the auto(s).So I guess KA drove the rapist around ...that makes sense then the rapist went to their house and dumped the motorcycle and the stones...
Defense finishes closing arguments.Cofer introduces himself and says it has been a privilege to represent Kaitlin Armstrong."One year, four months and twelve days. That is how long Kaitlin Armstrong has asserted her innocence. And from day one, she has asked for this trial. She has asked for you to hear this case," Cofer says.
Cofer says Armstrong has been trapped in a nightmare of circumstantial evidence. He says this case is based on assumptions, confirmation bias and a lack of direct evidence."Jealousy is suspicion of someone's unfaithfulness in a relationship... We know that Colin Strickland fostered insecurity and he has become the new foster child of Peter Pan syndrome in Austin, Texas."
Cofer points out the lies Colin Strickland told Armstrong. Cofer calls Moriah Wilson Strickland's "special friend."The state had an interactive PowerPoint presentation for the jury to see. Cofer is relying on some notes he has in his hands. He is also speaking at a lower volume and standing further away from the jury. The jury is paying an equal amount of attention to him as they did for Jones.
"I would bet you every penny that I am worth that at least one of you have looked at your partner's text messages at some point. Because jealousy is a fundamentally human emotion because it is about lack of trust in a relationship."Cofer making the point that a jealous human does not make a murderer.
Defense really pointing the finger here at Colin Strickland. Saying that the problem with Strickland and Armstrong's relationship wasn't Mo Wilson, it was Colin's behavior.
Cofer now explaining to the jury some of the issues he has with the DNA findings. He picks up the bicycle as a prop, wondering why DNA was not collected on the bike shaft, the way you pick up the bicycle. Also wonders why DNA was never tested from inside the black Jeep. "What if it had shown yet another unknown profile? How inconvenient.”
One more source of DNA that was never tested: The Rape Kit."The truth of the matter is that APD didn't want a single piece of evidence in front of you that points away from Kaitlin Armstrong. They don't want a single piece of evidence that is inconsistent with their case," Cofer says.
Cofer says that APD Detective Katy Conner is maybe not the worst detective he's ever seen, but she's "in the running." Conner was the detective that first interrogated Armstrong and eventually let her go after APD made a mistake about Armstrong's misdemeanor warrant.
Cofer says that APD told Armstrong that she was free to go, which is why she left for NYC and then left for Costa Rica. He reminds the jury that the murder warrant was not issued at the time she left for San Jose. "There was no way in the world that Armstrong could have had any awareness or knowledge that there was a warrant for her arrest. But we do know that she routinely traveled internationally," Cofer says. "Was she scared? What do you think!”
Cofer calls the circumstantial evidence a simple story, but wrong. He says its based on assumptions, an agenda and bias.
Cofer says that one piece of direct evidence has been removed from this case: Colin Strickland's laptop. Why is it the only piece of evidence that has been removed from this case, Cofer questions aloud. Cofer says that Spitler was favoring Strickland all along.
Cofer brings up the vandalism at Strickland's home. Reminds jury that Strickland showed photos and video of the vandalism and that Spitler was taking copious notes. Says Spitler thought so little of that vandalism incident that he refused to follow Texas law and refused to investigate because it didn't fit his narrative. "He didn't even bother to watch the 11 minute interview of Armstrong and Katy Conner," Cofer says.
"What a world to be treated like Colin Strickland has," Cofer says. "Police think Kaitlin Armstrong committed this crime. But they don't know. She fits the story they created: A spurned jealous lover. That story is so easy to tell because it ties into a framework of patriarchy and misogyny that is embedded in American culture.”
Cofer cites a number of American cases of wrongful convictions. He poses that Kaitlin Armstrong could also be one of them. Cofer now citing a number of witness testimonies where they mention that Armstrong is non-violent and friendly. "Anyone could have entered that unlocked apartment.”
Cofer wonders why Mo Wilson did not lock the door behind her. "Was she expecting Colin Strickland to return?""I guarantee you that if you convict Kaitlin Armstrong and she is exonerated, you will know why. Untested DNA!"State objects. Jury is being instructed to disregard that last statement.
Cofer takes a seat. Defense Attorney Geoffrey Puryear now takes over.Puryear begins by stating all the things he doesn't know. Unlocked door, untested rape kit, untested swabs from black Jeep, etc. We don't know that, and you don't either, Puryear says to the jury. Says those "I don't knows" are important.
Puryear says jury duty is a privilege and isn't easy. But that's why they are here. He points to several members of the jury and says that's why they are here."We observed you to be thinkers...to be gripped with the courage to ask the tough questions...to be willing to set aside your basic assumptions of what it means to be accused of a criminal offense.”
Puryear talking about DNA. Says jury heard from at least three experts offering different perspectives of what DNA is and what it means. Says DNA is often mythologized based on TV and movies.
Puryear says that the DNA experts actually agreed on a number of things. Puryear reminds the jury that ballistic testing is subjective/opinion.
Puryear says that their witness, Dr. Steven Tobin, recognized the limitations of what ballistic science says. Tobin's opinion was that fire arm examinations are non-scientific and shouldn't be trusted.
Puryear says it's okay to disregard Tobin's opinions. But says we cannot disregard the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) who agreed with the opinions the defense presented.
Puryear now talking about Armstrong's interview with APD."How much trust would Kaitlin have in the competence or the professionalism with APD after that experience on May 12? She is arrested on a silly, minor charge at her house...dragged into the station...escorted into a room and told that we need to read you your rights, but is never read her rights, and then they come in and say, oops! Sorry! No warrant, just kidding! But hey, stick around for a few minutes. And then they come back and say, oops! We goofed again! You do have a warrant! How much trust would you have in them? Put yourself in that situation.”
Puryear says Conner said that "the day [Armstrong] left for Costa Rica, she was as free as you or I or Katy Conner.""When faced with fear, when faced in a stressful situation... what do we do? It's fight or flight. That attempt to retreat, to find a safe place, to find a place of comfort. She's not alone in that. Colin did the same thing! Colin went to his dad's house.”
"It's easy to say, I would have done something different... we all react differently to stressful situations."There was no investigation into any of Mo Wilson's exes, Puryear reminds the jury. Calls the detective's testimony a smoke screen for the failures of the APD investigation.The Judge provides a 15 minute recess for the jury.
Puryear continues. Discussing the lack of testing on the rape kit. Says Detective Spitler had tunnel vision, didn't test it because he didn't want to know."Richard Spitler didn't care and he determined that it wasn't important to you because he had tunnel vision and he jumped to conclusions.”
In the courtroom, Kaitlin Armstrong is listening to her defense attorney make her case. Not much emotion, but her eyes appear focused. The jury is also focused on Puryear in front of them.
Puryear says the jury must have fortitude and conviction to use their minds, not their hearts, to analyze the evidence that exists and doesn't exist. Doesn't want the jury to consider the unknowns as unintelligence. But says "I don't know" should mean "not guilty.”
Says saying "I don't know" is not an acceptable answer in most cases. But it is okay to say in a jury room. Doesn't want them to consider that to be a failure. But says it is their obligation to say "I don't know" if they are unsure beyond a reasonable doubt.
Paraphrased: Do we know that Kaitlin Armstrong killed Mo Wilson? Are you certain? Do we know that for sure? Find her not guilty.
Defense finishes closing arguments.
Next the state will begin their rebuttal.
He is just so rude. This guy rubs me the wrong way, always has. Wonder how the jury feels.What the heck was the defense asking at the end? He is just rude. Man, like he wanted the jury to keep hearing what he was saying even though the judge was trying to stop him.
I think it was the argument that the D could have tested the rape kit, and D said, no it was denied. I heard him squeeze in the date it was denied before the judge could get him to finally quit interrupting her, like a petulant childHe was asking to have something unsealed — ??? I thought I also heard him mention rape kit.
I think it was the argument that the D could have tested the rape kit, and D said, no it was denied. I heard him squeeze in the date it was denied before the judge could get him to finally quit interrupting her, like a petulant child
yes, even if we celebrate a guilty verdict, nothing has changed. A beautiful young woman with so much to offer to the world, her sport, her family and friends is lost. She was a daughter, a sister and a friend and KA snuffed out her life, destroyed her parents, brother, friends and competitors, ruined CS and her own families lives.This is just so so very sad. Mo was such an inspirational young lady who was loved by so many - gone forever because another woman couldn’t control her jealousy. I pray the jury gets it right and that she is locked up forever. Justice for Mo.
yes, he won that victory ha haYes, I heard him say October something. It was his big "gotcha" moment and the mean old judge shut him down. *rolleyes*
Court TV had this little photo in the corner of Rickey’s closing. IDK if it’s of her today@alcaprari23
Kaitlin Armstrong stays in her seat and talks to Rick Cofer. Puryear stands up and makes some sort of joke to her. Armstrong slightly smiles back. She gets up and goes back into custody without looking back at her parents.
1:19 PM · Nov 16, 2023
That's it, folks. Deliberations are officially underway. Reporters are being instructed to stay beside the courtroom for when a verdict drops. There will not be much advanced notice.The jury is allowed to deliberate for as long as it takes. If they choose to break for the night, they are allowed to do so and return the next morning to continue.I will not be delivering the verdict in this thread. I will instead have a separate, #Breaking news tweet.I want to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has found me and followed along with my coverage of this murder trial. I do this for a living for @NewsNation. So if you like law and order, keep following along. I'll continue covering some of the biggest criminal trials across America.
1:24 PM · Nov 16, 2023
That does not look like a teal blouse.Court TV had this little photo in the corner of Rickey’s closing. IDK if it’s of her today
View attachment 461450
Moo
Costa Rica Blue lolThat does not look like a teal blouse.
Carolina Blue?
Surely they will show her when her verdict comes in. How does she rate all this secretive treatment?! Pftttt didn’t even get to see her when Rickey pointed at her!That does not look like a teal blouse.
Carolina Blue?
Gonzalez makes it sound like "Rick" is a lesser qualified law student and not quite up to snuff in the logic department.I don't care for the "but Rick" he could just leave that off and I think be more effective