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

[SteveP]

When you buy a no-contract phone, you have to go to their website, like Verizon, and sign up so that you can activate the phone and make your monthly payments. You don't have to give your real name, I suppose, but you need to provide an address so they can provide you with the right area code and phone number for your phone. You can probably provide a false address, too.

If you use a false name and address, they can't track you by name and address.

But if KA calls her father on a no-contract cell phone (aka "burner" phone), then they would know the cell phone number and carrier, and try to track it back with the carrier (e.g. Verizon or AT&T) and find out where and when it was purchased, and continue to track that phone number.

She could, of course, keep buying a new cell phone, but that would be expensive if she wanted a decent phone with text, good internet capacity, etc.

All JMO, based on my experience using a no-contract Samsung phone with Verizon for about the last 8 years, and only changing my phone once to upgrade to the newer Samung model, but same phone number.

I had considered that, but doesn't your scenario assume that LE are tracking calls going into KA's father's phone? I may be wrong, but I would think that would require a warrant, and I do not believe a judge would sign off on a warrant tapping the phone of someone not suspected of a crime.

 

[Sundog]

But doesn't your scenario assume that LE are tracking calls going into KA's father's phone? I may be wrong, but I would think that would require a warrant, and I do not believe a judge would sign off on a warrant tapping the phone of someone not suspected of a crime.

Yes, my scenario assumes that they can find KA's phone number and then where and when she bought the phone only if someone allows them to trace calls on their phone or if LE have a warrant to do so.

Would a judge allow a warrant on KA's father's phone? I don't know. Since she has been in contact with him while on the run and is likely to continue to contact him, would a judge allow this? I have no knowledge of how this works. Perhaps you are right, I am not familiar with laws on this.

 

[Herat]

But doesn't your scenario assume that LE are tracking calls going into KA's father's phone? I may be wrong, but I would think that would require a warrant, and I do not believe a judge would sign off on a warrant tapping the phone of someone not suspected of a crime.

But if her father, or other family or friends, are in contact with her and have an awareness of her location, wouldn't that be grounds enough for obstruction of justice charges for not providing LE with information about a fugitive?

 

[SteveP]

But if her father, or other family or friends, are in contact with her and have an awareness of her location, wouldn't that be grounds enough for obstruction of justice charges for not providing LE with information about a fugitive?

They could have contact with her and not be aware of her location. Her father had known her location as of around May 18, and may have told LE that much. He may not be aware of her location now. That is likely the case. JMO

 

[Sundog]

But if her father, or other family or friends, are in contact with her and have an awareness of her location, wouldn't that be grounds enough for obstruction of justice charges for not providing LE with information about a fugitive?

It's possible that KA would not reveal her location to her father or friends if she is in contact with them, that way they would not be obstructing justice, I would assume.

 

[SMK777]

It might come down to: What priority the tracing attempt has, and.... by extension, what resources are supporting the tracing effort.

As a result, the burner phones of national level security threats could be traceable with FBI and NSC level resources. Meanwhile, the burner phones of ordinary drug dealers- even if relatively big league, and well, run of the mill murder suspects are not really traceable.

But would KA’s murder of a sports celebrity perhaps get top priority, perhaps not as much as a terrorist organization but maybe more than bar brawl killers?

 

[SMK777]

Yes, my scenario assumes that they can find KA's phone number and then where and when she bought the phone only if someone allows them to trace calls on their phone or if LE have a warrant to do so.

Would a judge allow a warrant on KA's father's phone? I don't know. Since she has been in contact with him while on the run and is likely to continue to contact him, would a judge allow this? I have no knowledge of how this works. Perhaps you are right, I am not familiar with laws on this.

I would think, assuming cold blooded felony murder is taken seriously, that a judge would allow this because it’s essential to finding this suspect. JMO

 

[Mariposa]

I had read that their separation was actually short, only a couple of weeks in October, co-incident with starting the affair with MW. I had always thought they reconciled in January, but I never knew exactly when it was. 0ctober is really past the competitive cycling season and CS would need to be working on the trailer business for something to do, but not traveling to places where MW might be. It's entirely possible the relationship with MW was ongoing only by text, phone, and internet, a situation that can create unreasonable expectations or false impressions.

Regarding the timing of the “we were on a break” and the cycling season, on MW’s insta, in October 2021 she was competing at Big Sugar Gravel in Arkansas. In late January 2022, she was competing at CX Worlds also in Arkansas. So she would have had in person interactions with other competitive cyclists in that time frame.

ETA: it appears KA’s boyfriend was also at these two events

 

[imstilla.grandma]

(Image credit: Rafael Ospino)
In the days that have passed since the tragic death of gravel cyclist Moriah Wilson, the Austin Police Department (APD) and the US Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force continue their homicide investigation and work in locating suspect Kaitlin Marie Armstrong.

Wilson was killed in a shooting at a home in East Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in a case currently under investigation by the APD. On Tuesday, May 17, the APD department issued an arrest warrant in connection to the case, naming Armstrong, a white female, age 34, as wanted on first-degree felony murder charges.

Details of the events leading up to and following the death of Wilson have been made public in four search warrants and corresponding affidavits used in the ongoing homicide investigation. These legal documents, most obtained by Cyclingnews from the City of Austin Municipal Court, give a timeline of events that authorities believe to have occurred in the hours and days before and after Wilson was shot and killed in Austin.

Moriah Wilson: The key events around the gravel star's shooting

The road map of police investigations, warrants, and evidence that led to the 90-year sentence handed to Kaitlin Armstrong

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[SteveP]

But would KA’s murder of a sports celebrity perhaps get top priority, perhaps not as much as a terrorist organization but maybe more than bar brawl killers?

Other than the initial report, which was picked up and broadcast nationally, this case has gotten barely a fraction of the attention that the Casey White and Vicky White case got. Granted, MW was somewhat of a celebrity in her niche sport, but outside of that tight circle, I doubt anyone had ever heard of her or of CS before her murder. I would wager that 9 out of 10 people you would ask on the street right now could not identify her picture, even with this case going on. True celebrity sports figures are people that almost anyone has heard of and might recognize, like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lebron James, etc. Even now, most news being reported is coming from cycling periodicals. I am sure that LE is devoting all of the resources that they can to apprehending KA, but I do not think her level of "celebrity" is going to factor into judges' decisions regarding issuing warrants for things such as tapping phones, etc. JMO

 

[SMK777]

Other than the initial report, which was picked up and broadcast nationally, this case has gotten barely a fraction of the attention that the Casey White and Vicky White case got. Granted, MW was somewhat of a celebrity in her niche sport, but outside of that tight circle, I doubt anyone had ever heard of her or of CS before her murder. I would wager that 9 out of 10 people you would ask on the street right now could identify her picture, even with this case going on. True celebrity sports figures are people that almost anyone has heard of and might recognize, like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lebron James, etc. Even now, most news being reported is coming from cycling periodicals. I am sure that LE is devoting all of the resources that they can to apprehending KA, but I do not think her level of "celebrity" is going to factor into judges' decisions regarding issuing warrants for things such as tapping phones, etc. JMO

I guess you’re right. I just hope it doesn’t fade away and become literally yesterday’s news.

 

[SteveP]

I guess you’re right. I just hope it doesn’t fade away and become literally yesterday’s news.

As do we all. I am hopeful that the lack of news is not indicative of a lack of progress in finding KA and bringing her to justice.

 

[GDawg89]

As do we all. I am hopeful that the lack of news is not indicative of a lack of progress in finding KA and bringing her to justice.

IMO ... it is disheartening when you google KA and the last posted articles are 3-4 days ago. I believe if LE made the prior statement, we need the publics help, then they should be frequently using nightly national news networks and a reward for info should be posted. LE should also be following up with any "unidentified persons (woman) found/reported" cases in the Northeast. I know there is a recent one in Harford, Conn, found in river, a couple days ago, it is a longshot, but should be cross referenced. AMOO

 

[Sundog]

Other than the initial report, which was picked up and broadcast nationally, this case has gotten barely a fraction of the attention that the Casey White and Vicky White case got. Granted, MW was somewhat of a celebrity in her niche sport, but outside of that tight circle, I doubt anyone had ever heard of her or of CS before her murder. I would wager that 9 out of 10 people you would ask on the street right now could not identify her picture, even with this case going on. True celebrity sports figures are people that almost anyone has heard of and might recognize, like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lebron James, etc. Even now, most news being reported is coming from cycling periodicals. I am sure that LE is devoting all of the resources that they can to apprehending KA, but I do not think her level of "celebrity" is going to factor into judges' decisions regarding issuing warrants for things such as tapping phones, etc. JMO

I agree, I don't see any celebrities in this case, and I am sure that LE have many murder cases and cold cases under investigation, so resources would be limited. Nonetheless, the LE local to Austin and the state of Texas (and federal LE assigned to Texas and Austin) will, no doubt, be highly motivated to solve this case.

And, hopefully, MW's family will pressure LE to stay on the case even if it gets cold.

 

[Sundog]

I think that when KA is finally arrested and this case goes to trial, then CS will be a witness - perhaps a hostile witness when placed on the stand by the defense. I do think that KA's lawyer will argue for a crime of passion defense, and CS's texts and other lies and betrayals of KA will be in the spotlight for the defense team, including the purchase of the guns, perhaps, and that he will look incredibly bad as his behavior with these two women is exposed for the world to see.

Assuming it's a trial by jury, then I think KA has a good chance of a sympathy verdict and won't get murder one or the death penalty.

JMO.

Edited my first sentence, above, and also corrected some of the initials.

 

[SMK777]

IMO ... it is disheartening when you google KA and the last posted articles are 3-4 days ago. I believe if LE made the prior statement, we need the publics help, then they should be frequently using nightly national news networks and a reward for info should be posted. LE should also be following up with any "unidentified persons (woman) found/reported" cases in the Northeast. I know there is a recent one in Harford, Conn, found in river, a couple days ago, it is a longshot, but should be cross referenced. AMOO

I agree. Whenever I check for updates I’m finding things from 3-8 days ago.
I don’t know why they’re not doing the things you stated.

 

[SMK777]

I think that when KA is finally arrested and this case goes to trial, then CS will be a witness - perhaps a hostile witness when placed on the stand by the defense. I do think that KA's lawyer will argue for a crime of passion defense, and CS's texts and other lies and betrayals of KA will be in the spotlight for the defense team, including the purchase of the guns, perhaps, and that he will look incredibly bad as his behavior with these two women is exposed for the world to see.

Assuming it's a trial by jury, then I think KA has a good chance of a sympathy verdict and won't get murder one or the death penalty.

JMO.

Edited my first sentence, above, and also corrected some of the initials.

I’m just hoping the arrest will be weeks from now, rather than years or decades. The Summer Wells and the Delphi murders cases are nowhere now: No suspects, no arrests, no resolution, etc. and it’s always hard to invest time and emotion into a case, only to see it fade away with no resolution and no justice. I really thought there would be a quick arrest here, and she’s been on the run 21 days now….

 

[SteveP]

I think that when KA is finally arrested and this case goes to trial, then CS will be a witness - perhaps a hostile witness when placed on the stand by the defense. I do think that KA's lawyer will argue for a crime of passion defense, and CS's texts and other lies and betrayals of KA will be in the spotlight for the defense team, including the purchase of the guns, perhaps, and that he will look incredibly bad as his behavior with these two women is exposed for the world to see.

Assuming it's a trial by jury, then I think KA has a good chance of a sympathy verdict and won't get murder one or the death penalty.

JMO.

Edited my first sentence, above, and also corrected some of the initials.

You may be right, but the state does still seek and gets convictions in capital cases, and they are one of the few states that actually still carry them out. Only 11 death sentences were carried out in 2021 in the USA, and 3 of them were in Texas. She may get a sympathy verdict, but I wouldn't bet on it. It appears to be a cold-blooded murder, with perhaps premeditation, based on comments to friend about wanting to kill MW when she found out about the affair in January) JMO

 

[SMK777]

I agree, I don't see any celebrities in this case, and I am sure that LE have many murder cases and cold cases under investigation, so resources would be limited. Nonetheless, the LE local to Austin and the state of Texas (and federal LE assigned to Texas and Austin) will, no doubt, be highly motivated to solve this case.

And, hopefully, MW's family will pressure LE to stay on the case even if it gets cold.

@SteveP and @Sundog
I think the reason I called MW a “celebrity sports figure” is because after 3+ weeks of reading so many cycling news articles, seeing interviews of her, pictures of her, etc, she actually has come to seem like a celebrity to me, even though she’s not known to the public in general.

Also in the Wisconsin case of Lori Esker, who was only 20 when she killed her boyfriend’s other girlfriend out of jealousy, the jury found her guilty of capital murder and sentenced her to life in prison. To me, she was younger and more deserving of sympathy than KA.

 

[SteveP]

I’m just hoping the arrest will be weeks from now, rather than years or decades. The Summer Wells and the Delphi murders cases are nowhere now: No suspects, no arrests, no resolution, etc. and it’s always hard to invest time and emotion into a case, only to see it fade away with no resolution and no justice. I really thought there would be a quick arrest here, and she’s been on the run 21 days now….

I agree. I have been following the Heidi Planck since her disappearance back in October, and other than the news blurb on the six-month anniversary of her disappearance, there has basically been nothing reported since about the first of January. I have a list of 'watched threads' that I still check on, but some will go weeks at a time with not a single post. It is hard to invest time and emotion and see nothing happen, and sometimes, for me anyway, I just have to take a step back and give myself a break before diving into another. And then too, there are always the cases that at least give you some hope of resolution, like getting an arrest and finding Brittanee Drexel after 13 years. JMO