Armstrong to pay $15M in damages to Wilson's parents.

Kaitlin Armstrong Ordered to Pay $15 Million to Parents of Murdered Cyclist, Anna Moriah Wilson

A Texas judge has ordered convicted murderer Kaitlin Armstrong to pay $15 million in damages to the parents of Anna Moriah Wilson, the professional cyclist she fatally shot in a jealousy-sparked attack. Armstrong, who did not respond to the civil suit, was recently sentenced to 90 years in prison for the murder. The judgment is intended to preempt any potential profits from books, TV deals, or other media surrounding the case, with the Wilsons' attorney stating, "If there is ever any financial benefit afforded to Kaitlin Armstrong, my clients stand in front of her...The family needs to be compensated first."

A Texas judge has ordered Kaitlin Armstrong to pay $15 million in damages to the parents of Anna Moriah Wilson, the professional cyclist she murdered in a jealousy-fueled shooting. State District Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle delivered the default judgment, as Armstrong failed to respond to the civil suit. Armstrong is currently serving a 90-year prison sentence for the murder.

The lawsuit aims to ensure that any potential profits from media deals surrounding Armstrong's story go to the Wilsons. Randy Howry, the Wilsons' attorney, stated:

"If there is ever any financial benefit afforded to Kaitlin Armstrong, my clients stand in front of her... The family needs to be compensated first."

The judgment includes $5 million in wrongful death damages for each parent, plus $2.5 million in damages to deter future harmful actions, also awarded to each parent.

Lifetime recently released a movie about the case, titled "The Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story." It is unclear if Armstrong is profiting from the film. Jessi Freud, Armstrong's attorney for her criminal appeal, is not involved in the civil matter and offered no comment.

Court documents indicate that Armstrong had no legal representation in the civil case.

The $15 million judgment also compensates the family for emotional damages. Both parents, Karen and Eric Wilson, provided affidavits detailing the profound impact of their daughter's death. Karen Wilson stated she has lost the ability to carry out daily tasks and is "not the same person" she was before. Eric Wilson shared concerns for his son, Matt Wilson, expressing sadness at the thought of him being alone after their deaths.

Anna Moriah Wilson, a world-renowned cyclist, was visiting a friend in Austin when Armstrong broke into the apartment and shot her twice in the head and once in the heart. Prosecutors argued that Armstrong, driven by jealousy over Wilson's relationship with her boyfriend, had stalked Wilson prior to the murder.

Testimonies revealed that Wilson and Armstrong's boyfriend had become friends and shared a dinner together before the tragic incident.

Moriah Wilson, a talented skier and cyclist, had dreamed of becoming an Olympic skier as a child. After an injury, she shifted her focus to cycling. The "Ride for Mo" event in May raised $34,000 for the Moriah Wilson Foundation, created in her honor.

• URLs:
• Movie release: https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/the-yoga-teacher-killer-the-kaitlin-armstrong-story
• Moriah Wilson Foundation: https://moriahwilsonfoundation.org/mwf-grant-application-form/