TX - Former NFL Antonio Armstrong & wife Dawn, both 42, fatally shot, Houston, *son charged* 29 Jul 2016 *Mistrials, 3rd trial in 2023 Guilty*

[mocity]

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-...aying-13742619.php?cmpid=hpctp#photo-17166960

"Teen maintained innocence in parents’ slaying during police interrogation"

 

[Niner]

Friday, April 5th:
*Trial set to begin (Day 4) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (18/16 @ time of crime) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond.
Judge rules teen to stand trial as adult. Posted bond (4/12/17) & released-terms house arrest & to wear GPS ankle monitor; random drug testing.
Trial started 4/2/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 2 women alternates. Trial scheduled until end of April.
4/2/19 Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. State witnesses: Sgt. John Horelica. 3 other Houston police officers & one emergency medical technician who were at the murder scene testified on Tuesday. Trial continues on 4/3.
4/3/19 Day 2: Jurors heard the 911 call from A.J. No other info available. Trial continues on 4/4.
4/4/19 Day 3: State witnesses: Sgt. Jimmy Dodson, Houston PD officer (interviewed A.J. on the morning of his parents' deaths, 60-minute interview tape played). Sgt. Kenneth Daignault, Houston PD officer (in interview with A.J.) Judge Kelli Johnson denied defense attorneys’ motion for a mistrial, after a witness mentioned a “crack pipe” found in Armstrong’s room. Both sides agreed before the trial that it couldn’t be called a crack pipe, in part because there was no controlled substance inside. Johnson told the jury to disregard the witness’ statement. Trial continues on 4/5.

 

[Niner]

Tweets from yesterday, 4/5/19:

4/5/19 Friday. That means DAY 4 of the #ajarmstrong capital murder trial. It's been a wild three days so far. ICYMI, catch up here:

Courtney Fischer
‏Verified account @CourtneyABC13
15h15 hours ago

We’re on standby in the courthouse at #ajarmstrong trial. Juror had an MS flare up. Contacted bailiff to say: “it’s imperative I see a doctor immediately.” Defense/prosecutors don’t agree on whether they release her or wait. Judge calling juror now. #abc13

No— A.J. was in juvenile jail for more than half a year after the murders but when he was certified to face trial as an adult, he bonded out of jail. #abc13

After this HPD sgt finished testify today, we moved to FORENSIC analysts who talked about DNA and fingerprint testing. NO PRINTS found on the gun used to kill Dawn, Antonio Armstrong, experts say. #abc13

reference:
Experts say DNA found on gun does not match A.J. Armstrong

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Day four of the trial of a 19-year-old charged in his parents' murders focused on the forensics of the case and a burn on the carpet in the family home.
[.....]
Arson expert Deborah Lynn took the stand to discuss that piece of evidence found on the second floor of the home. A.J. brought up the burned carpet during a taped police investigation after his parents' murders.
[.....]
Lynn said she was asked by police to analyze the piece of carpet, a match and an empty plastic bottle collected from A.J.'s room. She said gasoline was found on the carpet and inside the bottle was a mixture of gasoline and rubbing alcohol.
[.....]
Later in the day, more forensic experts took the stand to discuss DNA and fingerprints from the scene.

Forensic experts said no DNA was found on a gun or its magazine but some DNA was found on the handgun's case, although it did not link back to A.J.

In addition, fingerprints were found inside a box of bullets but an expert said he "didn't think the prints were strong."

Prosecutors also wrapped up their questioning of HPD's lead detective, Sgt. Kenneth Daignault.

Tweets continue:

We are 16 witnesses in....and the defense says: we’re just getting started. Who will take the stand next week? Watch #abc13 at 6!


link: Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) | Twitter

 

[Niner]

Monday, April 8th:
*Trial set to begin (Day 5) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (18/16 @ time of crime) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Harris County
Judge rules teen to stand trial as adult. Posted bond (4/12/17) & released-terms house arrest & to wear GPS ankle monitor; random drug testing.
Trial started 4/2/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 1 women alternate (Juror #12 excused 4/5/19). Trial scheduled until end of April.
4/2/19 Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. State witnesses: Sgt. John Horelica. 3 other Houston police officers & one emergency medical technician who were at the murder scene testified on Tuesday. Trial continues on 4/3.
4/3/19 Day 2: Jurors heard the 911 call from A.J. No other info available. Trial continues on 4/4.
4/4/19 Day 3: State witnesses: Sgt. Jimmy Dodson, Houston PD officer (interviewed A.J. on the morning of his parents' deaths, 60-minute interview tape played). Sgt. Kenneth Daignault, Houston PD officer (in interview with A.J.) Judge Kelli Johnson denied defense attorneys’ motion for a mistrial, after a witness mentioned a “crack pipe” found in Armstrong’s room. Both sides agreed before the trial that it couldn’t be called a crack pipe, in part because there was no controlled substance inside. Johnson told the jury to disregard the witness’ statement. Trial continues on 4/5.
4/5/19 Day 4: Juror #12 had a flare up of MS, 1 woman from alternates replaced her. State witnesses: HPD's lead detective, Sgt. Kenneth Daignault Arson expert Deborah Lynn. Laurissa Pilkington, a latent print examiner trainee for the forensic science center. Trial continues on 4/8.

 

[MsArk]

Thank you for the tweets Niner!

 

[Niner]

This is the only thing she has up:

Courtney Fischer
‏Verified account @CourtneyABC13
1h1 hour ago

TRIAL DAY 5: AJ Armstrong walks into court surrounded by attorneys. Court starts late today. 1-5 pm. #abc13 here’s what’s on tap for today:

A.J. Armstrong murder trial: Medical examiner, burglar alarm experts to testify

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The murder trial of A.J. Armstrong, who is charged in his parents' deaths, will resume Monday.
[.....]
As the trial enters its second week on Monday, jurors are expected to hear from the medical examiner, the Armstrongs' family and friends, and alarm experts.
[.....]
The trial could last three more weeks.

link: Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) | Twitter

 

[CocoChanel]

AJ Armstrong faces former coach's tearful testimony

I am puzzled why the prosecution called AJ’s former coaches to testify. It does not seem like they had anything pertinent to say regarding this case. The implication appears to be that there was tension in the family because AJ was not making the grades to continue at a private school and was transferring to a public school. My experience has been that such a situation is not uncommon, and usually not a big deal. Lots of kids I know have done just that.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, April 9th:
*Trial set to begin (Day 6) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (18/16 @ time of crime) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Harris County
Judge rules teen to stand trial as adult. Posted bond (4/12/17) & released-terms house arrest & to wear GPS ankle monitor; random drug testing.
Trial started 4/2/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 1 women alternate (Juror #12 excused 4/5/19). Trial scheduled until end of April.
Trial days 1 (4/2/19) thru 4 (4/5/19) reference post #124 here:
TX - Antonio & Dawn Armstrong, both 42, fatally shot, Houston, 29 July 2016 *Arrest*
4/8/19 Day 5: State witnesses: Jason Schroeder, trace evidence lab manager at the Harris County Forensic Science Center. A firearms expert & an investigator with the Harris County District Attorney's Office (no name given). DA investigator testified about testing the alarm systems (no name given). Stephen Hill, who was A.J.'s football coach at The Kinkaid School. Theatus Reagins, former Lamar High school football coach. Trial continues on 4/9.

 

[Niner]

Courtney Fischer
‏Verified account @CourtneyABC13
10h10 hours ago

We are thru **20 WITNESSES** in the AJ Armstrong trial. And the defense hasn’t even started. Need more background on the Armstrong family? Incredible doc put together by our #abc13 web team:

PICTURE OF PRIVILEGE: AJ Armstrong when he played FB for Kinkaid, w parents and little sister. Today, AJ’s former Kinkaid head coach testified—for the prosecution. He cried while testifying. See what happened in court on #abc13 @ 6. AJ Armstrong faces former coach's tearful testimony …

As the trial enters its second week, jurors are expected to hear from the medical examiner, the Armstrongs' family and friends, and alarm experts. A.J. claims an intruder killed his parents, but prosecutors say the home's alarm system never went off.

link: Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) | Twitter

 

[mocity]

'He was a standout': Testimonies continue in murder trial of teen accused of killing parents

I am local and its so crazy to hear about these schools that are all around me. All three are good schools.

 

[mocity]

Experts no DNA link between gun and A.J. Armstrong

 

[mocity]

A.J. Armstrong's brother's girlfriend tells jury he was home with her during double murder

 

[Niner]

Courtney Fischer
‏Verified account @CourtneyABC13
11h11 hours ago

Here's what went down this morning during AJ Armstrong's trial. We're on a long break right now. Live updates on #abc13 4, 5, 6.

WHERE WAS THE OLDER BROTHER? Josh Armstrong’s ex-gf testified she was with Josh (far right) the night before the murders. But she fell asleep. Did Josh leave? Defense says he could be the real killer—NOT AJ.

link: Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) | Twitter


Does give much info.... Must have been more people testifying today, no?

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, April 10th:
*Trial set to begin (Day 7) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (18/16 @ time of crime) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Harris County
Judge rules teen to stand trial as adult. Posted bond (4/12/17) & released-terms house arrest & to wear GPS ankle monitor; random drug testing.
Trial started 4/2/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 1 women alternate (Juror #12 excused 4/5/19). Trial scheduled until end of April.
Trial days 1 (4/2/19) thru 4 (4/5/19) reference post #124 here:
TX - Antonio & Dawn Armstrong, both 42, fatally shot, Houston, 29 July 2016 *Arrest*
4/8/19 Day 5: State witnesses: Lucy Tea, a firearms expert & an investigator with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Jason Schroeder, trace evidence lab manager at the Harris County Forensic Science Center. DA investigator testified about testing the alarm systems (no name given). Stephen Hill, who was A.J.'s football coach at The Kinkaid School. Theatus Reagins, former Lamar High school football coach. Trial continues on 4/9.
4/9/19 Day 6: State witnesses: Hannah Pilon, Josh's (bro of Anthony) former girlfriend. Trial continues on 4/10.

 

[Niner]

'Somebody shot my parents,' Brother's ex-girlfriend testifies at teen's murder trial

Court isn't scheduled to resume until next week.

So I'm guessing on Monday, April 15th. But I see the court site has April 10. ??

 

[Niner]

Monday, April 15th:
*Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (18/16 @ time of crime) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Harris County
Judge rules teen to stand trial as adult. Posted bond (4/12/17) & released-terms house arrest & to wear GPS ankle monitor; random drug testing.
Trial started 4/2/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 1 woman alternate (Juror #12 excused 4/5/19). Trial scheduled until end of April.
Trial days 1 (4/2/19) thru 4 (4/5/19) reference post #124 here:
TX - Antonio & Dawn Armstrong, both 42, fatally shot, Houston, 29 July 2016 *Arrest*
4/8/19 Day 5: State witnesses: Lucy Tea, a firearms expert & an investigator with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Jason Schroeder, trace evidence lab manager at the Harris County Forensic Science Center. DA investigator testified about testing the alarm systems (no name given). Stephen Hill, who was A.J.'s football coach at The Kinkaid School. Theatus Reagins, former Lamar High school football coach. Trial continues on 4/9.
4/9/19 Day 6: State witnesses: Hannah Pilon, Joshua's (bro of Anthony) former girlfriend. Jason Schroeder, trace lab manager at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science (an expert on gunshot residue). Court isn't scheduled to resume until next week on 4/15.

 

[Niner]

Oops - it looks like they won't be in court until tomorrow....

Family support could send crucial message for teen charged in parents' death

.....
Many of Armstrong’s friends and family have been subpoenaed and are barred from speaking to reporters during the trial, which resumes Tuesday in state District Judge Kelli Johnson’s court after a four-day recess. But beforehand, they were vocal on social media, often posting about the case along with the hashtag #FreeAJ.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, April 16th:
*Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (18/16 @ time of crime) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Harris County
Judge rules teen to stand trial as adult. Posted bond (4/12/17) & released-terms house arrest & to wear GPS ankle monitor; random drug testing.
Trial started 4/2/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 1 woman alternate (Juror #12 excused 4/5/19). Trial scheduled until end of April.
Trial days 1 (4/2/19) thru 4 (4/5/19) reference post #124 here:
TX - Antonio & Dawn Armstrong, both 42, fatally shot, Houston, 29 July 2016 *Arrest*
4/8/19 Day 5: State witnesses: Lucy Tea, a firearms expert & an investigator with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Jason Schroeder, trace evidence lab manager at the Harris County Forensic Science Center. DA investigator testified about testing the alarm systems (no name given). Stephen Hill, who was A.J.'s football coach at The Kinkaid School. Theatus Reagins, former Lamar High school football coach. Trial continues on 4/9.
4/9/19 Day 6: State witnesses: Hannah Pilon, Joshua's (bro of Anthony) former girlfriend. Jason Schroeder, trace lab manager at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science (an expert on gunshot residue). Court isn't scheduled to resume until next week on Tuesday, 4/16.

 

[Niner]

Unfortunately no updates on what happened in court yesterday....

Wednesday, April 17th:
*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (18/16 @ time of crime) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Harris County
Judge rules teen to stand trial as adult. Posted bond (4/12/17) & released-terms house arrest & to wear GPS ankle monitor; random drug testing.
Trial started 4/2/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 1 woman alternate (Juror #12 excused 4/5/19). Trial scheduled until end of April.
Trial days 1 (4/2/19) thru 4 (4/5/19) reference post #124 here:
TX - Antonio & Dawn Armstrong, both 42, fatally shot, Houston, 29 July 2016 *Arrest*
4/8/19 Day 5: State witnesses: Lucy Tea, a firearms expert & an investigator with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Jason Schroeder, trace evidence lab manager at the Harris County Forensic Science Center. DA investigator testified about testing the alarm systems (no name given). Stephen Hill, who was A.J.'s football coach at The Kinkaid School. Theatus Reagins, former Lamar High school football coach. Trial continues on 4/9.
4/9/19 Day 6: State witnesses: Hannah Pilon, Joshua's (bro of Anthony) former girlfriend. Jason Schroeder, trace lab manager at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science (an expert on gunshot residue). Court isn't scheduled to resume until next week on Tuesday, 4/16.
4/16/19 Day 7: No info yet.

 

[Indy Anna]

Garbage-size bag of evidence apparently vanishes, delays teen's murder trial

HOUSTON - Procedural hearings consumed most of day seven in the capital murder trial of Antonio Armstrong Jr.

Jurors were not seated until 2:49 p.m. due to several matters that needed to be discussed between the prosecution and the defense, including a bag of evidence that's apparently missing.

While three people, including the court reporter and a bailiff, testified during the hearing on the missing bag, reporters were unable to hear the testimony because all speaking during the hearing took place in whispers at Judge Kelli Johnson's bench.

Before that hearing, there was another hearing, also without the jury. It dealt with data extracted from Armstrong's mobile devices, including text messages and Google searches.

more...