TX - Moriah Wilson, Cyclist Fatally Shot Before Race, Austin, #3

[imstilla.grandma]

Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla told Nexstar’s KXAN Armstrong was found with an altered appearance. Armstrong had shoulder-length hair that had been dyed dark brown, along with bandaging on her nose and bruising under her eyes from a reported surfboarding incident.

Kaitlin Armstrong, 34 (Austin Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office)
Photos from travelers at the airport show Armstrong back on U.S. soil. Armstrong is seen wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, black joggers and flip-flops. The photos also show the altered appearance previously referred to by officials.

Investigators found Armstrong, 34, used a phony passport on May 18 to board a United Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey to San Jose, Costa Rica, according to U.S. Marshals.

• 
  Kaitlin Armstrong spotted Saturday at the airport headed to Houston.
• 
  
• Travis County court records show Armstrong’s bond will be set at $3.5 million. She will be required to surrender her passport to a district clerk before release and have a GPS in jail. Her curfew will be 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., according to records
  
  Kaitlin Armstrong, suspect in pro-cyclist’s death, booked in Texas jail after arrest in Costa Rica

 

[Mangosweet]

Going to be a hard sell "heat of the moment" or "crime of passion" with a neighbor's Ring security camera picking up KA on bicycle stalking MW living quarters on May 10 the day prior to MW being murdered in addition to security camera footage of KA at MW place at time of the murder May 11, all the phone harassment to MW by KA and the fact KA ambushed MW pulling the trigger over & over & over, stealthy flight from prosecution, plastic surgery, trendy beach life... She's toast.

 

[orchidaceaes]

I'm glad that she was deported and brought back to the USA so quickly. Also, it's my opinion that the use of a gun and stalking indicate premeditation.
IMO her nose looks different even though the picture is at an angle. Specifically, it looks like it is curved slightly more upward, is narrower, and it has a smaller tip and nostrils. Compare the photos of her dirty after a race (taken from here) with the new picture (found here). But could a nose job heal so quickly? I'm unsure.

 

[WingsOverTX]

Going to be a hard sell "heat of the moment" or "crime of passion" with a neighbor's Ring security camera picking up KA on bicycle stalking MW living quarters on May 10 the day prior to MW being murdered in addition to security camera footage of KA at MW place at time of the murder May 11, all the phone harassment to MW by KA and the fact KA ambushed MW pulling the trigger over & over & over, stealthy flight from prosecution, plastic surgery, trendy beach life... She's toast.

Burnt toast!

 

[SpanishInquisition]

Her lawyer's webpage lists all the areas he has expertise in, and it looks like a good background for her case, also he served as an assitant DA, and knows the community so this should be helpful in terms of knowing the various judges and their characteristics, as well as likely Austin-based jury pools, etc.

His goal may be to go after a lesser charge, not necessarily acquittal, although of course he will work toward the latter as any defense attorney would.

I do think "heat of the moment" will be the strategy and that some of the challenges with this will be that KA had a gun with her when she went to the apartment where MW was staying, and also the statement made by the anonymous person about KA mentioning wanting to kill MW, and in the same conversation with the anonymous person saying that she was about to, or recently, acquire a gun. This person's testimony on the stand will be critical to the case, I think, if s/he is a credible witness. Although lots of people say "I want to kill x..." and don't necessarily act on their statements. Still, that statement and the statement about getting a gun possibly can be used by the prosecution against the "crime of passion" defense, if that is presented.

JMO.

This is why I've been skeptical of the prosecution. There's two anonymous witnesses that were used in the warrant, which one of them is known by LE ('Jane' who LE knows their real identity) while the one who gave the most explosive info their identity isn't even known to LE. To use that evidence about KA shaking in anger and wanting a gun, that person needs to come forward and be willing to testify, which unless and until that happens I don't even count that since that's a clear Sixth Amendment issue that her lawyer would get that tossed right out if that anonymous call is all they have and can't present that witness in court.

I think part of it will be saying that it wasn't KA, like that she didn't use the pistol. From what I can tell KA didn't have exclusive control over the pistol (I'm not even sure that she had primary control of it) and it was in the shared residence nor is she the one who bought the ammo for it, which it was CS who bought the "kill" (his term) JAG ammo. The prosecution is going to have to affirmatively establish that she actually did have that pistol with her that evening, like I'm thinking her defense might be along the lines of "I'm a stalker but not a killer" where she admits to being in the area but not killing and so far I haven't heard anything that is really hard evidence, but like if she stole MW's passport and flew out of the country with that, that would be really good evidence.

 

[Gypsy Road]

I'm glad that she was deported and brought back to the USA so quickly. Also, it's my opinion that the use of a gun and stalking indicate premeditation.
IMO her nose looks different even though the picture is at an angle. Specifically, it looks like it is curved slightly more upward, is narrower, and it has a smaller tip and nostrils. Compare the photos of her dirty after a race (taken from here) with the new picture (found here). But could a nose job heal so quickly? I'm unsure.
View attachment 352492 View attachment 352493

JMO

She ruined a perfect and adorable nose along with many lives! Ugh.

 

[WingsOverTX]

This is why I've been skeptical of the prosecution. There's two anonymous witnesses that were used in the warrant, which one of them is known by LE ('Jane' who LE knows their real identity) while the one who gave the most explosive info their identity isn't even known to LE. To use that evidence about KA shaking in anger and wanting a gun, that person needs to come forward and be willing to testify, which unless and until that happens I don't even count that since that's a clear Sixth Amendment issue that her lawyer would get that tossed right out if that anonymous call is all they have and can't present that witness in court.

I think part of it will be saying that it wasn't KA, like that she didn't use the pistol. From what I can tell KA didn't have exclusive control over the pistol (I'm not even sure that she had primary control of it) and it was in the shared residence nor is she the one who bought the ammo for it, which it was CS who bought the "kill" (his term) JAG ammo. The prosecution is going to have to affirmatively establish that she actually did have that pistol with her that evening, like I'm thinking her defense might be along the lines of "I'm a stalker but not a killer" where she admits to being in the area but not killing and so far I haven't heard anything that is really hard evidence, but like if she stole MW's passport and flew out of the country with that, that would be really good evidence.

BBM
I, too, have a problem with an anonymous source being of any value beyond support for the arrest. OPs here believe it was reasonable to use it as "corraborative" evidence in the AA, whereas I think it was sensational overstatement by someone with an axe to grind or even a scammer.

I'm not sure anyone will ever know the identity of that caller. Can't subpoena "anonymous."

JMO

 

[Gypsy Road]

I agree. And let’s not forget she had been following/stalking Mo on the bike app Strava.

Going to be a hard sell "heat of the moment" or "crime of passion" with a neighbor's Ring security camera picking up KA on bicycle stalking MW living quarters on May 10 the day prior to MW being murdered in addition to security camera footage of KA at MW place at time of the murder May 11, all the phone harassment to MW by KA and the fact KA ambushed MW pulling the trigger over & over & over, stealthy flight from prosecution, plastic surgery, trendy beach life... She's toast.

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

I'm glad that she was deported and brought back to the USA so quickly. Also, it's my opinion that the use of a gun and stalking indicate premeditation.
IMO her nose looks different even though the picture is at an angle. Specifically, it looks like it is curved slightly more upward, is narrower, and it has a smaller tip and nostrils. Compare the photos of her dirty after a race (taken from here) with the new picture (found here). But could a nose job heal so quickly? I'm unsure.
View attachment 352492 View attachment 352493

I don't know a thing about plastic surgery, but I'm wondering if all she had done to the nose was some removal of fat/tissue at the tip. Perhaps that can be done laparascopically, and possibly even from a tiny incision or two inside the nostril? It also looks like she had something removed from her cheeks as well (that may have been her previous Botox work - cheek implants?).

 

[scdiv]

Typically, her unpaid botox would have gone to collections. This was different -- theft of service by deception. Her cc was denied so she left the card with the clinician under the guise she was going out to her vehicle to get another form of payment but never returned. Provider went straight to the police with the theft report and why this became an outstanding warrant. It's still unclear to me how she walked out of jail in May without either paying the bill or posting bond for this botox/theft.

ETA: Theft of service occurred March 2018 (Class B Misdemeanor).

She walked out of jail in May because of an inaccuracy on the outstanding warrant - it had the incorrect month of her birth year.

"Armstrong was mistakenly released from custody on the misdemeanor warrant because her date of birth in our report management system did not match the date of birth on the warrant," said Detective Richard Spitler, with Austin police in a press conference on May 25.

KA had at least one face to face confrontation with Mo previously where KA tried to make it clear to Mo that KA was the one dating CS. KA also found text messages from Mo in CS’s phone and deleted them. Her anger and frustration with Mo had been brewing for months and months.

Getting CS' text that he was off dropping off flowers or whatever lie he told may have been what pushed her over the edge if KA had just seen on Strava that CS & MW were biking or swimming together. KA may have thought if this was all so innocent and platonic, then why was CS lying about where he was and hiding where he really was from her. I think that may be what sent KA over the edge. Again, not an excuse. Just what may have led up to her shifting from raging, jealous girlfriend to murderer and fleeing the country criminal. I don't buy the total crime of passion because she did not act in a rage then show remorse and regret once that passed. She was cunning and calculated and headed to the beach in beautiful CR to get plastic surgery and become a yoga instructor!

 

[Gypsy Road]

I don't know a thing about plastic surgery, but I'm wondering if all she had done to the nose was some removal of fat/tissue at the tip. Perhaps that can be done laparascopically, and possibly even from a tiny incision or two inside the nostril? It also looks like she had something removed from her cheeks as well (that may have been her previous Botox work - cheek implants?).

I’m thinking fillers. They can easily be desolved with another injectable. Botox can’t be desolved and has to just wear off over time - usually 3-4 months and it’s gone.

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

This is why I've been skeptical of the prosecution. There's two anonymous witnesses that were used in the warrant, which one of them is known by LE ('Jane' who LE knows their real identity) while the one who gave the most explosive info their identity isn't even known to LE. To use that evidence about KA shaking in anger and wanting a gun, that person needs to come forward and be willing to testify, which unless and until that happens I don't even count that since that's a clear Sixth Amendment issue that her lawyer would get that tossed right out if that anonymous call is all they have and can't present that witness in court.

I think part of it will be saying that it wasn't KA, like that she didn't use the pistol. From what I can tell KA didn't have exclusive control over the pistol (I'm not even sure that she had primary control of it) and it was in the shared residence nor is she the one who bought the ammo for it, which it was CS who bought the "kill" (his term) JAG ammo. The prosecution is going to have to affirmatively establish that she actually did have that pistol with her that evening, like I'm thinking her defense might be along the lines of "I'm a stalker but not a killer" where she admits to being in the area but not killing and so far I haven't heard anything that is really hard evidence, but like if she stole MW's passport and flew out of the country with that, that would be really good evidence.

I also thought the tipster said that KA was so angry she was shaking and "wanted to kill" MW, not that she wanted to buy/obtain a gun. To me there's a difference, because often many of us say "I could kill so-and-so - they made me so angry." It's become a figure of speech, often without any literal meaning behind it. "He left his shoes on and tracked mud through the house again - I could just kill him!" And no matter what wording she used, agreed that that tipster needs to be brought in. It could have even been someone put up to the task or had something against her.

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

I’m thinking fillers. They can easily be desolved with another injectable. Botox can’t be desolved and has to just wear off over time - usually 3-4 months and it’s gone.

Interesting - good to know. Thanks!

 

[SpanishInquisition]

I also thought the tipster said that KA was so angry she was shaking and "wanted to kill" MW, not that she wanted to buy/obtain a gun. To me there's a difference, because often many of us say "I could kill so-and-so - they made me so angry." It's become a figure of speech, often without any literal meaning behind it. "He left his shoes on and tracked mud through the house again - I could just kill him!" And no matter what wording she used, agreed that that tipster needs to be brought in. It could have even been someone put up to the task or had something against her.

The anonymous tipster claimed both that KA said she wanted to kill MW and that KA was going to get a gun or already had one as well as being present during the January triggering event. It's on page 5:

DocumentCloud

www.documentcloud.org

 

[ElGato]

She has clearly changed her appearance to more resemble her sister, CA, at least from the passport photos, when you see them both side-by-side.

Cold and calculating.

I agree that she was trying to look like her sister's passport photo. She was still going to have to use that passport.

Costa Rica only allows a 90 day visit, max.

She would being taking a risk of being deported if she overstayed that. Most people take a short trip across the border and then come back, to renew.

JMO

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

The anonymous tipster claimed both that KA said she wanted to kill MW and that KA was going to get a gun or already had one as well as being present during the January triggering event. It's on page 5:

DocumentCloud

www.documentcloud.org

Thank you.

 

[Charlot123]

It’s very possible she didn’t want to tell him. My question is, why didn’t they ever pick her up on that warrant? Why did they just let it sit, until May 11, 2022?

From 2018 till the end of 2019 - maybe had a lot of other outstanding warrants to deal with? After 2020, I think, most states had the same problem, COVID, and tried to de-clutter their jails. For the same reason, the courts became slow with processing even big crimes, and this one is a small thing. I am surprised that they issued a warrant for her arrest for this. In my state, it would be a mere debt collection. Unless it is not her first time? Or are Texan laws so harsh?

 

[Charlot123]

KA is booked on two charges: murder and theft. I wonder if it’s related to the botox or she’s stolen yet again.

Online Public District & County Criminal Records Inquiry—Harris County Texas Sheriff's Office

HCSO Public Website Screening

www.harriscountyso.org

Aren’t there federal charges? Traveling on another person’s passport?

 

[Gypsy Road]

From 2018 till the end of 2019 - maybe had a lot of other outstanding warrants to deal with? After 2020, I think, most states had the same problem, COVID, and tried to de-clutter their jails. For the same reason, the courts became slow with processing even big crimes, and this one is a small thing. I am surprised that they issued a warrant for her arrest for this. In my state, it would be a mere debt collection. Unless it is not her first time? Or are Texan laws so harsh?

It mind boogles me she’d skip on this like she did. After getting Botox, she presented them with a card that got declined. She then told them she was going out to her car to retrieve another card - but she just left. A normal person wouldn’t do this. They would certainly feel embarrassed that their card didn’t work, but would they lie and say they were going to get another card, and then just run? No! They’d try to make arrangements with the facility to pay the debt. She ran. Just like she did after she killed Mo.

 

[Charlot123]

It mind boogles me she’d skip on this like she did. After getting Botox, she presented them with a card that got declined. She then told them she was going out to her car to retrieve another card - but she just left. A normal person wouldn’t do this. They would certainly feel embarrassed that their card didn’t work, but would they lie and say they were going to get another card, and then just run? No! They’d try to make arrangements with the facility to pay the debt. She ran. Just like she did after she killed Mo.

Agree. I think there are people who are stingy and from we read, she was investing into property. But not to say that it was very risky for a property owner (getting into collections worsens one’s credit score), also, just from a human view, making a payment plan is the most normal way to deal with it.