Austin, Texas — Kaitlin Armstrong Files Another Appeal of Murder Conviction
In a significant move, Kaitlin Armstrong has taken another step in her ongoing legal battles by filing an appeal regarding her murder conviction. Records from the court indicate that Armstrong’s attorneys submitted the appeal to the Texas Third Circuit Court of Appeals on September 17. This appeal seeks a review of a previous decision that denied an evidentiary hearing. The hearing would have provided Armstrong’s legal team the opportunity to present new evidence that was not brought up during her trial in 2023.
Armstrong was found guilty in November of last year for the murder of professional cyclist Moriah Wilson in East Austin in 2022. Following her conviction, she made a request for an evidentiary hearing in July 2024. However, that request was denied in late August, leaving Armstrong and her legal team with limited options as they navigate the appeal process.
The Timeline of the Case
The case surrounding Armstrong gained public attention due to the dramatic events that unfolded before and after the murder. In May 2022, surveillance footage captured Armstrong’s Jeep leaving the area where Wilson was staying while participating in a cycling race. Initially, Armstrong was brought in for questioning by police, but was released due to a mismatch between her birth date and the information in the police records.
Following this questioning, Armstrong sold her Jeep and traveled from Austin to New York before heading to Costa Rica. She was arrested on June 29, 2022, in the province of Puntarena, Costa Rica, having altered her appearance by cutting and dyeing her hair and reportedly undergoing cosmetic work on her nose.
Law enforcement officials noted that Armstrong’s passion for yoga ultimately led them to her location in Costa Rica, where she had been taking yoga classes. During this time, she was known by several aliases, although most people referred to her as Ari Martin.
Trial and Conviction
Armstrong pleaded not guilty to Wilson’s murder when her trial commenced on November 1, 2023. The proceedings lasted more than two weeks, with the jury reaching a guilty verdict after just two hours of deliberation on November 16. The following day, Armstrong was sentenced to 90 years in prison and fined $10,000.
After her conviction, Armstrong began the appeal process in early December 2023. In late December, her lawyer filed a motion for a new trial, highlighting several issues, including Armstrong’s alleged pregnancy at the time of her arrest. A request for an evidentiary hearing in May 2024 was met with denial later that August, further complicating her legal situation.
Legal Fallout and Civil Cases
The repercussions of Armstrong’s actions did not end with her criminal conviction. In May 2024, Wilson’s parents filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against her. By June 2024, a judge ruled in favor of Wilson’s family, granting them $15 million in compensation. Just a month later, in July, the family filed another lawsuit claiming that Armstrong transferred her assets to evade her financial responsibilities to them.
As Armstrong continues her appeal process, the legal community and the public remain vigilant in monitoring the situation. The outcome of this appeal and any subsequent proceedings will undoubtedly draw attention as the legal battles continue to unfold in Austin.
