In a shocking turn of events, defence attorneys representing Kaitlin Armstrong in her ongoing murder trial motioned for a mistrial, claiming that an investigator had cleared her ex-boyfriend, Colin Strickland, from the crime too early. The courtroom was left stunned by this unexpected move, which came during a key phase of the trial. Armstrong is currently facing trial in Austin, Texas, for her alleged involvement in the May 2022 killing of rising pro cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson, who prosecutors have described as Armstrong's "love rival."

The trial has been highly publicized due to the sensational nature of the case, which revolves around a love triangle between Armstrong, Strickland, and Wilson. Wilson's body was found lying in a pool of blood on May 11, 2022, by her friend Caitlin Cash. Prosecutors have presented evidence linking Armstrong to the crime, including DNA that was "highly likely" to be hers found on Wilson's bike, which was discovered near the crime scene hidden in bamboo.

Surveillance video also placed Armstrong's black Jeep in the vicinity of the home where Wilson was found dead, as well as near the restaurant where Strickland and Wilson had dined on the night of her death. These pieces of evidence have formed the backbone of the prosecution's case against Armstrong.

However, the defence has been working tirelessly to challenge the prosecution's case. On Wednesday, they raised several crucial questions about the investigation during the cross-examination of Austin Police Department detective Richard Spitler. They questioned why a rape kit performed on Wilson was never processed and why Strickland's laptop was returned to him without being forensically analyzed only eight days after the murder.

The defence also alleged that Det. Spitler cleared Strickland too soon, suggesting a potential bias. They revealed that the detective had met Strickland at a taco deli years prior to the murder and asked if he considered Strickland a "local celebrity." These inquiries aimed to undermine the detective's credibility and cast doubt on his handling of the case.

Despite the defence's attempts to poke holes in the prosecution's case, the judge swiftly denied the mistrial motion, allowing the trial to continue. The defence argued that the prosecution lacked any witnesses who could place Armstrong at the crime scene and that her fingerprints or DNA were not found at the home where Wilson was discovered dead.

The defence also questioned why Det. Spitler hadn't further interviewed two of Wilson's ex-boyfriends, but the detective asserted that phone data and other evidence placed them nowhere near the crime. He firmly stood by his decision to clear Strickland and other men mentioned during the investigation, refusing to entertain the defence's speculative line of questioning.

Wilson's murder has captivated the public's attention, with the details of her relationship with Strickland and the alleged love triangle at the center of the trial. Strickland took the stand to testify about his relationship with Armstrong, revealing that they had briefly been romantic while he and Armstrong were separated and remained friendly after reconciling.

However, during his second day of testimony, Strickland seemingly distanced himself from Armstrong when asked if he knew her well, responding with a firm "No." This unexpected response elicited shocked gasps from those in the courtroom. Strickland's behavior throughout the trial has attracted attention, particularly his clashes with photographers trying to capture his image.

These incidents occurred outside the courthouse, with Strickland reportedly attempting to shove a photographer's camera down and another photographer tripping and falling as he followed Strickland. These incidents only added to the media frenzy surrounding the trial.

As the trial continues, the prosecution will likely present additional evidence tying Armstrong to the murder, while the defence will continue to challenge the investigation's validity. If convicted, Armstrong faces a potential sentence of up to 99 years in prison. The outcome of this high-profile trial will undoubtedly have a significant impact on all parties involved.