Kaitlin Marie Armstrong entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday to the homicide charge she faces in the death of professional cycling star Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson, per Austin-based media outlets.
Armstrong’s first court appearance came nearly a month after she was located and apprehended in Costa Rica. She had been the subject of a 43-day manhunt after Wilson was discovered dead.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that the guilty plea paves the way for a trial, with the docket call and jury selection slated for late October.
Attorney Rick Cofer, who is representing Armstrong, told KVUE that his client anticipates her day in court.
“This is a beginning of a process that will play out in court and it should play out in court, and we understand that there are questions that need to be answered and we look forward to doing so,” Cofer said, per the station.
Authorities allege Armstrong fatally shot the 25-year-old Wilson inside a residence on the east side of the state capital on May 11.
Wilson, a California native, was in Texas to compete in the Gravel Locos race.
Austin Journal reported that police said Wilson previously dated a man with whom the suspect was involved.
The publication reported that Armstrong allegedly used a fake U.S. passport while departing Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York City area for Costa Rica on May 18.
According to Austin NBC affiliate KXAN, Armstrong’s counsel is seeking a speedy trial.
The defense demands to know why the Austin Police Department (APD) supposedly overlooked Wilson’s former boyfriend – identified as Colin Strickland – and who vandalized the home Armstrong shared with Strickland and why, KXAN reported.
The station reported that Armstrong also faces a theft of service charge for allegedly failing to pay for a 2018 Botox session.
Following Armstrong’s extradition to the U.S., she was booked at the Harris County Jail in Houston before she was returned to Austin.
KXAN reported that Armstrong is currently held in the Travis County Jail on a $3.5 million bond.
