Cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson's killer sentenced to 90 years in prison

Photograph: Mikala Compton/APProfessional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson's killer sentenced to 90 years

Prosecutors say Caitlin Armstrong shot dead cyclist in Fury of jealousy because Wilson dated her boyfriend months earlier

A Texas jury on Friday sentenced a woman to 90 years in prison for the May 2022 murder of rising professional cyclist Anna Moriah » Mo» Wilson in the case that sent investigators on a 43-day international search for the killer.

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The jury deliberated just more than three hours before sentencing Caitlin Armstrong, who investigators say tracked Wilson to the apartment where she stopped and shot her three times. On Thursday it took them just two hours to find her guilty of murder.

“As a family, we believe justice has been served,” Eric Wilson, the victim's father, said after the sentencing. “There really are no winners here. This is not a time for celebration, but a time for prayer. Time to pray for our family, our friends, the Armstrong family and their friends.»

He added that although the family's life has changed forever, «with this ordeal now behind us, we ready to move forward and continue to heal.»

«And we will do this using the strong, determined, gentle and kind spirit of Moriah,» Wilson said.

Prosecutors said Armstrong shot and killed 25-year-old Anna Wilson in a jealous rage. A few months ago, the cyclist briefly dated Armstrong's boyfriend. On the day of her murder, Wilson went swimming and having lunch with him.

Armstrong's lawyers urged jurors to consider something less than life in prison. Under current Texas law, Armstrong, 35, will be eligible for parole in 30 years.

Her attorney Rick Cofer said, «The loss of Moriah Wilson is a tragedy.» , and our hearts go out to the Wilson family and the family of our client Caitlin Armstrong.»

After Armstrong was sentenced, sobs could be heard from the side of the courtroom where her family sat. Her father stood up, looked at her and wiped the tears from his eyes.

Members of Wilson's family exchanged hugs after the jury was announced, and her mother, Karen Wilson, delivered a statement directly to Armstrong.

“When you shot Moriah in the heart, you shot me in the heart… everyone people who loved her had their hearts pierced,” she said, looking at Armstrong as she left the witness stand. Armstrong did not seem to return her gaze.

A Vermont native and former alpine skier at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, Anna Wilson was a rising star in gravel and mountain bike racing. She was in Austin before the race in Texas, where she was among the favorites to win.

Armstrong tracked Wilson to the apartment where she lived through a fitness app and shot her to death . According to investigators, three times: twice in the head and once in the heart.

«I would have done anything to stand in the way of that bullet,» Karen Wilson told jurors Thursday at the start of the penalty phase of the trial. “She did not deserve to die this way.”

Armstrong did not testify on her own behalf during the trial.

Caitlin Cash, The friend who found Wilson's body and tried to perform CPR on him told jurors that earlier that day she had texted Wilson's mother with a photo of her going on a bike ride with the note: «Your girl is in good hands here.» , in Austin. »

“I felt a lot of guilt for not being able to protect her,” Cash said. «I fought for her with everything I had.»

Armstrong's younger sister Christina told jurors that her older sister «is not a bad person» and that «she is always taken care of » other people.»

Caitlin Armstrong's Jeep was seen near the apartment where Wilson lived around the time she was shot, and shell casings found near Wilson's body matched a gun , owned by Armstrong. Armstrong met briefly with police before selling her car and using her sister's passport to fly to Costa Rica.

She spent more than $6,000 there on a nose job and a new color and style. Investigators said she fled from authorities before being arrested at a beach hostel.

Armstrong tried to elude authorities again during a doctor's appointment Oct. 11 outside the prison. She faces a separate charge of escape.