Another reporters' perspective:
KAITLIN ARMSTRONG TRIAL: Media has just been let into the courtroom. Opening statements are set to begin at 9 a.m. I will be live tweeting on this thread.
It appears Mo Wilson's family has just walked in. They're seated in the front row. A few emotional embraces before they sat down.
Packed courtroom. Armstrong's family appears to have arrived now as well. Awaiting the judge. I will post the live stream link once we're able to begin.
REMINDER: We are only able to film opening statements, closing arguments, the verdict, and if it comes to it - the sentencing. I'll be tweeting information about testimony and including that in our reports on air and online.
Judge Brenda Kennedy has arrived. We're told she came out of retirement to preside over this case. Armstrong should be walking in any moment.
Kaitlin Armstrong has entered the courtroom. Wearing plain clothes. A blazer and a blue shirt.
The jury has arrived. 8 women 6 men.
ADA Rickey Jones for the state begins opening statements talking about Wilson, her college skiing career and her subsequent pro cycling career.
"The last thing Mo Wilson did was scream in terror," Jones said. He proceeded to say Armstrong shot her three times, the last being Armstrong standing over Wilson and shooting her in the heart.
State addresses the relationship with Armstrong, Wilson and Colin Strickland. Says Armstrong and Wilson were business partners and had an "on again/off again" relationship. While off, they both dated others while living together, Jones said.
State: Strickland and Armstrong briefly dated. NOTE: Wilson's family has previously sent us a statement saying her family and friends were not aware of Wilson being in a romantic relationship at the time of her death.
State: Armstrong had access to Strickland's communications through shared electronics. Strickland changed Wilson's name in his phone.
State: Armstrong owned firearm, and in Jan. 2022 bought 50-round box of ammo. Seen practicing four months before Wilson's murder.
State: Armstrong looks Wilson up on locator app on May 9. Wilson is in town for gravel race. Armstrong finds out Wilson is staying with friend, Caitlin Cash, in East Austin.
More from State about May 11 (day Wilson died): 4:49 pm Wilson texts Strickland location. Armstrong is home with access to those messages on laptop. 4:45: Armstrong looks at Strava and looks where Wilson start/ended her bike ride that day.
May 11 from State cont: Wilson/Strickland leave Deep Eddy on Strickland's motorcycle. 8:35pm – Strickland drops Wilson off at Cash’s East Austin home. 8:38pm Strickland texts Armstrong. Strickland goes home and is home when gunshots go off at 9:15pm.
State's openings are heavily rooted in cellphone data and the relationship between Armstrong, Strickland and Wilson.
State's evidence of the evening of May 11:-836p, Wilson unlocks door to friend's apt.-837 Armstrong's jeep is in alley next to apt.-9:13, last time Wilson used phone, 2 min before gunshots heard on ring cam.
State is now mapping out how Armstrong left Austin on May 14. She ultimately made her way to Costa Rica. State says she used sister's ID/info to book. State says Armstrong got plastic surgery on June 22. US Marshals eventually arrest her in Costa Rica.
State says data shows Armstrong's car's GPS and her phone traveling together on May 11, the day Wilson was killed. She had her phone off from 7:30 - 9:55 (remember - gunshots at 9:15). State says Armstrong factory reset phone shortly after Marshals found her in Costa Rica.
State: Jeep GPS activity shows Jeep stopping at dumpster shortly after shooting.
Defense begins ...
-- Defense begins opening statements at 10:24 a.m.Paraphrasing of Geoffrey Puryear's initial words:State’s and PD’s opinion of evidence doesn’t matter… yours does. That’s why we’re here, reasonable doubt.
Defense: "I want to talk to you about what you didn’t hear about. Not one witness saw Kaitlin Armstrong allegedly commit this murder. Because there isn’t one.”
Defense's primary argument appears to be the notion of while there is surveillance of gunshots and her Jeep - there is no camera footage of Armstrong actually shooting Wilson.
Defense reminds jury the burden of proof is on the State to prove Armstrong is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Says if State falls short, you must say she's not guilty.
Defense concludes opening statements in about 20 minutes, while the State spoke for roughly one hour.