TX - Moriah Wilson, 25, prized cyclist, fatally shot before race, Austin, May 2022 #2

[caradana]

If there was a branch of the bank that Carmax used in Austin she could easily have cashed the check for no fee the same day.

Great point! I hadn’t thought of that. And if she did - she’s on video doing it.

 

[NOLAScottie]

Great point! I hadn’t thought of that. And if she did - she’s on video doing it.

I’m sure KA abandoned all concerns about video at that point. Nobody was looking for her and she was about to take off…

 

[SMK777]

Yes! This is yet another reason that I do not believe the Jeep was just recovered. I am convinced it was recovered well before now, but for whatever reason, they have chosen to keep that quiet until now. JMO

I’m convinced you’re right about what you said earlier: That the vehicle was recovered quite some time ago, but they released the information as press today to give a bump to the case publicly, to keep national interest up and to facilitate tip call-ins.

 

[SMK777]

I’m sure KA abandoned all concerns about video at that point. Nobody was looking for her and she was about to take off…

Right, and she had not yet been officially charged with a warrant for first-degree murder.

 

[NOLAScottie]

Right, and she had not yet been officially charged with a warrant for first-degree murder.

She was clearly still free to do anything.

 

[SMK777]

She was clearly still free to do anything.

Exactly, including visiting her sister in NY state. It was only on May 17 that all that changed with the warrant, and she left her sister for Newark airport the next day. She was now officially a fugitive from justice.

 

[NOLAScottie]

Exactly, including visiting her sister in NY state. It was only on May 17 that all that changed with the warrant, and she left her sister for Newark airport the next day. She was now officially a fugitive from justice.

Yep the timeline really played into her favor. Letting her go on the warrant was a huge mistake.

 

[NOLAScottie]

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[NOLAScottie]

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[NOLAScottie]

Sorry for the multiple posts.

 

[SMK777]

Sorry for the multiple posts.

It happens. You can delete the extras.
With the first warrant, they legally couldn’t hold her because of the date of birth error. An enormous stroke of luck for her.

 

[SteveP]

It happens. You can delete the extras.
With the first warrant, they legally couldn’t hold her because of the date of birth error. An enormous stroke of luck for her.

You're right, they couldn't hold her, but for the life of me, I do not know why they didn't keep her under constant surveillance until they could legally bring her back in. They had to know at that point even that she was, at the very least, going to be a person of interest in the murder of MW, and likely, the actual killer. Surely it must have dawned on someone in APD that she might not just sit around, waiting for them to come back and get her, after that initial questioning and release. I am not bashing APD, but in hindsight, letting her go free without keeping a close watch over her was a huge mistake!

 

[SMK777]

You're right, they couldn't hold her, but for the life of me, I do not know why they didn't keep her under constant surveillance until they could legally bring her back in. They had to know at that point even that she was, at the very least, going to be a person of interest in the murder of MW, and likely, the actual killer. Surely it must have dawned on someone in APD that she might not just sit around, waiting for them to come back and get her, after that initial questioning and release. I am not bashing APD, but in hindsight, letting her go free without keeping a close watch over her was a huge mistake!

Yes, she should have been tailed and they would have seen her at the dealership with the car, and realized she was about to take flight.

 

[steeltowngirl]

I don't think I've ever seen a vehicle on a dealer lot with a bike rack. If it had been a hitch mounted rack (typical of most high end racks), the dealer might leave the hitch receiver in place. Non-cyclists would find that of value.

So.. I traded in my own much older black Jeep in April, and left the spare tire-mount bike rack on, as it would not fit on my new car. I knew the Jeep had some problems and would be sold off to another used car lot or go to auction. Just for fun, I googled the VIN number 2 weeks later, and lo and behold, my old Jeep came up - sitting on a used dealer lot, with the old bike rack still attached!

ETA: In fairness, my bike rack was basically rusted onto the spare tire mount..

 

[PrairieWind]

I’m sure she has a lot to say to him, probably along the lines of what you’re saying—but she doesn’t dare call him because he’s probably being watched by police for just that reason, so they can determine her whereabouts if she does call him.

And he would have to report the call or face obstruction charges.

Otherwise, I’m sure they’d be talking.

If the father merely took a call from her and talked to her, he wouldn't necessarily have to report that or face obstruction. He has to give actual assistance to her and that assistance has to be for the purpose of preventing her discovery. But I am not sure she would call Dad at this point. If she does, I would suspect such a "call" would be through a message app etc.

 

[SMK777]

If the father merely took a call from her and talked to her, he wouldn't necessarily have to report that or face obstruction. He has to give actual assistance to her and that assistance has to be for the purpose of preventing her discovery. But I am not sure she would call Dad at this point. If she does, I would suspect such a "call" would be through a message app etc.

If she disclosed her location and he withheld that information, that would be obstruction of justice and hindering a federal investigation.

 

[SMK777]

You're right, they couldn't hold her, but for the life of me, I do not know why they didn't keep her under constant surveillance until they could legally bring her back in. They had to know at that point even that she was, at the very least, going to be a person of interest in the murder of MW, and likely, the actual killer. Surely it must have dawned on someone in APD that she might not just sit around, waiting for them to come back and get her, after that initial questioning and release. I am not bashing APD, but in hindsight, letting her go free without keeping a close watch over her was a huge mistake!

Another thought I’ve had, along different lines:
US Marshals:
1. Released car info weeks late as strategy
2. Kept saying KA was “dropped off” at Newark, not “seen” (eg their language is important)

What about:

stating only " Investigators found no flight reservations under the name “Kaitlin Armstrong.”

Could that be implying that they DID find one under a different name, such as Christine Armstrong or other?

Your thoughts?

 

[SteveP]

Another thought I’ve had, along different lines:
US Marshals:
1. Released car info weeks late as strategy
2. Kept saying KA was “dropped off” at Newark, not “seen” (eg their language is important)

What about:

stating only " Investigators found no flight reservations under the name “Kaitlin Armstrong.”

Could that be implying that they DID find one under a different name, such as Christine Armstrong or other?

Your thoughts?

Very possibly, imo. I do think some of their statements seem to be almost word games, leaving what they are actually saying up for debate.

 

[jash]

Exactly, including visiting her sister in NY state. It was only on May 17 that all that changed with the warrant, and she left her sister for Newark airport the next day. She was now officially a fugitive from justice.

I'm still wondering how KA would have known so early that the warrant was issued? The warrant was signed at 10:40PM on May 17th and not filed with the court until May 19th at 8:20AM. Media started reporting on the warrant on May 20th (from what I can see via Google).

There's a copy of the warrant here: Arrest warrant issued for Kaitlin Armstrong in Mo Wilson shooting case - CyclingTips

 

[SMK777]

I'm still wondering how KA would have known so early that the warrant was issued? The warrant was signed at 10:40PM on May 17th and not filed with the court until May 19th at 8:20AM. Media started reporting on the warrant on May 20th (from what I can see via Google).

There's a copy of the warrant here: Arrest warrant issued for Kaitlin Armstrong in Mo Wilson shooting case - CyclingTips

She and her sister would surely have strong incentive to keep checking websites for issued warrants in Austin. They wouldn’t wait for news headlines and updates.