1 00:00:07,667 --> 00:00:10,000 NEWS REPORTER: It is a case that truly shocked Houston. 2 00:00:10,083 --> 00:00:12,833 A teenager charged with killing his own parents. 3 00:00:12,917 --> 00:00:15,417 NEWS REPORTER 2: Armstrong Jr. is accused of killing his father, 4 00:00:15,500 --> 00:00:19,167 former NFL player Antonio and Mother Dawn last July. 5 00:00:19,292 --> 00:00:20,875 NEWS REPORTER 3: He faces life in prison 6 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:24,667 with the possibility of parole after 40 years. 7 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:33,625 NEWS REPORTER 4: Armstrong claimed he heard shots and saw a masked intruder in the house. 8 00:00:33,625 --> 00:00:38,583 He planned it and he practiced it, and he lied about it. 9 00:00:38,667 --> 00:00:39,583 Where's the evidence? 10 00:00:39,667 --> 00:00:41,208 That doesn't mean he killed his parents. 11 00:00:41,292 --> 00:00:45,042 JUDGE: We are unable to arrive at a unanimous verdict. 12 00:00:45,125 --> 00:00:46,417 The court declares a mistrial. 13 00:00:51,083 --> 00:00:55,042 NEWS REPORTER: In 2019, a jury could not decide if AJ really did it, 14 00:00:55,125 --> 00:00:59,042 and now he is going to be in a courtroom to prove his innocence 15 00:00:59,125 --> 00:01:01,375 in his capital murder retrial. 16 00:01:07,208 --> 00:01:09,750 What does a murderer look like? 17 00:01:09,833 --> 00:01:13,208 Every time we turn around, there's something new. 18 00:01:13,292 --> 00:01:15,667 It's time to let this young man go. 19 00:01:15,708 --> 00:01:18,792 NEWS REPORTER: It's another twist in this AJ Armstrong case. 20 00:01:18,875 --> 00:01:21,750 I know I'm innocent, so it just has to work out for me. 21 00:01:21,833 --> 00:01:23,583 I don't expect any outbursts. 22 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:25,375 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 23 00:01:25,375 --> 00:01:28,125 JUDGE: We, the jury, find the defendant... 24 00:01:42,292 --> 00:01:43,833 RICK: I'm Rick DeToto. 25 00:01:43,875 --> 00:01:46,750 I have represented AJ over the last five or six years. 26 00:01:48,042 --> 00:01:51,667 I've been in charge of the case since it began in 2016. 27 00:02:03,083 --> 00:02:04,375 Mistrials are pretty rare. 28 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:07,875 In a case this big, it's even rarer. 29 00:02:07,958 --> 00:02:11,375 AJ and his family were a little bit disappointed in the verdict. 30 00:02:11,458 --> 00:02:14,500 It was a long trial. It was a grueling trial. 31 00:02:14,583 --> 00:02:16,708 We have a saying in what we do as defense lawyers. 32 00:02:16,833 --> 00:02:19,667 Any time our client walks out of the courthouse a free man, it's a victory. 33 00:02:19,708 --> 00:02:24,167 So in my mind, the way the prosecutors aggressively went after AJ in this case, 34 00:02:24,250 --> 00:02:26,042 that was a victory. 35 00:02:26,042 --> 00:02:28,542 The jury split was eight to four. 36 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:29,708 Eight voted guilty, 37 00:02:29,792 --> 00:02:31,375 four voted not guilty. 38 00:02:31,500 --> 00:02:34,583 The state was unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. 39 00:02:34,708 --> 00:02:38,708 Unfortunately, the prosecution in this case continues to be relentless. 40 00:02:38,792 --> 00:02:40,875 (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING) 41 00:02:46,542 --> 00:02:48,833 The state, Houston Police Department, 42 00:02:48,917 --> 00:02:51,750 they are convinced that AJ committed this crime, 43 00:02:51,833 --> 00:02:55,542 and they're still committed to putting AJ in jail. 44 00:02:57,375 --> 00:03:01,708 AJ is accused of capital murder of killing both his parents, 45 00:03:01,792 --> 00:03:03,208 Dawn and Antonio. 46 00:03:11,083 --> 00:03:14,167 RICK: AJ told 911 he was in this closet 47 00:03:14,208 --> 00:03:17,292 whispering because he believes the person is still in the house. 48 00:03:20,708 --> 00:03:23,750 RICK: The police tell him to go get his sister, Kayra, 49 00:03:23,833 --> 00:03:25,750 she was 12 years old. 50 00:03:25,833 --> 00:03:27,833 They come down the stairs. 51 00:03:27,917 --> 00:03:33,333 The police say that AJ unlocked the door and turned off the alarm system. 52 00:03:33,375 --> 00:03:36,417 The weapon is found in the kitchen. 53 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:38,500 It was Antonio Senior's weapon. 54 00:03:38,542 --> 00:03:40,667 They found the note by the weapon, it says, 55 00:03:40,708 --> 00:03:42,333 "I have been watching you for a long time." 56 00:03:45,750 --> 00:03:47,875 The police finger-printed everything. 57 00:03:47,958 --> 00:03:51,500 DNA tested everything, and they didn't find anything. 58 00:03:51,583 --> 00:03:54,958 But police officers arrested AJ within 10 or 15 minutes, 59 00:03:55,042 --> 00:03:57,833 they put him in handcuffs before they had any evidence. 60 00:03:57,917 --> 00:03:59,958 There's no blood on AJ. 61 00:04:00,042 --> 00:04:04,333 There's no physical evidence that links AJ to murdering his parents. 62 00:04:05,667 --> 00:04:08,000 We believe that the Houston Police Department 63 00:04:08,125 --> 00:04:11,417 failed to investigate all leads and not just the leads 64 00:04:11,542 --> 00:04:14,000 that lead to what they believe. 65 00:04:14,083 --> 00:04:18,500 They made up their mind immediately that AJ did this, and that's confirmation bias. 66 00:04:18,583 --> 00:04:21,333 That brings reasonable doubt to the situation. 67 00:04:23,792 --> 00:04:26,625 So we're preparing for trial number two. 68 00:04:27,792 --> 00:04:29,500 We're working really, really hard 69 00:04:29,542 --> 00:04:31,833 to show that someone else other than AJ 70 00:04:31,875 --> 00:04:34,875 possibly could have committed this crime. 71 00:04:34,958 --> 00:04:37,708 It doesn't mean we have to prove someone else did it. 72 00:04:37,708 --> 00:04:39,917 We just have to demonstrate evidence to the jury 73 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,250 that it could have been another person. 74 00:04:42,333 --> 00:04:44,333 So that you would have a reasonable doubt 75 00:04:44,375 --> 00:04:46,292 as to whether or not AJ committed these crimes. 76 00:04:54,208 --> 00:04:57,792 In the last trial, our main alternative suspect was Josh, 77 00:04:58,292 --> 00:04:59,875 AJ's half-brother. 78 00:04:59,958 --> 00:05:02,417 We learned that he's allegedly schizophrenic, 79 00:05:02,500 --> 00:05:04,458 and has complete access to the house. 80 00:05:04,542 --> 00:05:09,125 We believe that this is clearly evidence that points to another person. 81 00:05:09,208 --> 00:05:12,042 It's interesting that the state has never sought to seek these records. 82 00:05:12,125 --> 00:05:15,750 They've never sought to interview the doctors or Josh or anybody. 83 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:26,250 The fact that law enforcement did not investigate Josh, 84 00:05:26,333 --> 00:05:31,000 to me, it's clear evidence that the prosecution was negligent. 85 00:05:31,792 --> 00:05:33,583 As we approached the second trial, 86 00:05:33,708 --> 00:05:35,917 we subpoenaed more medical records, 87 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,042 because there may be something in those records 88 00:05:38,167 --> 00:05:41,417 that's much more substantive for purposes of reasonable doubt. 89 00:05:43,542 --> 00:05:45,792 This was a very difficult decision for the family, 90 00:05:45,875 --> 00:05:47,667 very difficult for us to bring to them, but, 91 00:05:47,792 --> 00:05:52,500 in the end, it's going to help us get AJ his freedom. 92 00:05:54,583 --> 00:05:56,958 This case is very personal for me. 93 00:05:57,042 --> 00:06:00,708 AJ's kind of become, like, you know, my adopted son a little bit. 94 00:06:01,750 --> 00:06:03,958 I've been with him since he's 16. 95 00:06:04,042 --> 00:06:06,833 It's a lot of pressure when you really care for someone. 96 00:06:06,875 --> 00:06:09,708 It's really serious for AJ. It continues to be real serious. 97 00:06:09,792 --> 00:06:11,667 He's looking at life in prison. 98 00:06:11,708 --> 00:06:14,458 It's a daunting possibility for this young man, 99 00:06:14,458 --> 00:06:17,042 but we're gonna fight like hell and do everything we can 100 00:06:17,125 --> 00:06:18,458 to make sure that doesn't happen. 101 00:06:23,708 --> 00:06:25,875 (MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING) 102 00:06:27,167 --> 00:06:29,458 (BIRDS CHIRPING) 103 00:06:31,250 --> 00:06:33,792 AJ: The first trial was very hard. 104 00:06:33,875 --> 00:06:37,083 Harder than I was expecting it to be. 105 00:06:39,667 --> 00:06:44,333 The exhaustion mentally and physically that you go through. 106 00:06:44,375 --> 00:06:46,917 (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING) 107 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:48,958 It really becomes real 108 00:06:49,042 --> 00:06:50,667 that you're fighting for your life when you're in the courtroom. 109 00:06:50,667 --> 00:06:54,458 So as the trial went on, the nerves grew more and more. 110 00:06:55,333 --> 00:06:58,833 I definitely know for this next trial 111 00:06:58,917 --> 00:07:02,792 how to be prepared to deal with all of that. 112 00:07:13,875 --> 00:07:17,500 KATE: Since the beginning, we've gone through nine months of jail, 113 00:07:17,583 --> 00:07:20,000 house arrest for five years. 114 00:07:20,042 --> 00:07:23,417 When he was first arrested, I was 15, um... 115 00:07:24,042 --> 00:07:27,000 He was 16. So now I'm 22. 116 00:07:27,083 --> 00:07:28,417 (INDISTINCT CONVERSATION) 117 00:07:28,500 --> 00:07:30,542 It's been difficult. 118 00:07:30,625 --> 00:07:34,542 So we've about seen every side of each other, 119 00:07:34,542 --> 00:07:35,875 every good and every bad. 120 00:07:35,958 --> 00:07:38,000 But I think that's just made us stronger. 121 00:07:43,625 --> 00:07:47,792 We decided that regardless of what could happen, 122 00:07:47,875 --> 00:07:50,833 this is something that we wanted to do. 123 00:07:50,875 --> 00:07:52,083 HENDRIX: Mama. 124 00:07:59,292 --> 00:08:02,750 AJ: I'm just glad he ges to be around me, 125 00:08:02,833 --> 00:08:05,583 and he knows who dad is, and we just... 126 00:08:05,667 --> 00:08:07,458 we have fun. 127 00:08:07,542 --> 00:08:10,500 -I thought you said you wanna-- Oh, you wanna close it. -No, zip it. 128 00:08:10,625 --> 00:08:12,333 HENDRIX: Bye, mommy! Bye! 129 00:08:12,375 --> 00:08:14,292 -Okay. Bye! -Bye. 130 00:08:14,375 --> 00:08:17,125 KATE: Now with the son, it makes things way more intense. 131 00:08:17,208 --> 00:08:20,042 -Go ahead. We're gonna watch you jump. -Can you give me a kiss? 132 00:08:20,125 --> 00:08:21,500 KATE: Yeah, it's just a lot at stake. 133 00:08:21,583 --> 00:08:23,375 Oh, I love you! 134 00:08:23,375 --> 00:08:24,500 It's really scary. 135 00:08:25,708 --> 00:08:29,458 You know, I have to be there for AJ, um... 136 00:08:29,542 --> 00:08:32,917 because this is... I mean, this is awful. 137 00:08:42,458 --> 00:08:45,667 He's the father of my child and... 138 00:08:46,667 --> 00:08:48,167 the love of my life. 139 00:08:48,542 --> 00:08:50,208 So... 140 00:08:50,292 --> 00:08:55,208 I just picture me having to start a whole new life and... 141 00:08:55,292 --> 00:08:56,292 (SNIFFLES) 142 00:08:58,167 --> 00:09:02,208 um, how I'm going to be there for Hendrix and... 143 00:09:02,958 --> 00:09:05,083 how I would be a single mom. 144 00:09:17,042 --> 00:09:19,375 RICK: So, it looks like we're doing this again. 145 00:09:19,458 --> 00:09:25,292 I think we need to kind of review what we need to do better in this trial. 146 00:09:25,375 --> 00:09:27,792 Well, there's definitely things that we need to go over 147 00:09:27,875 --> 00:09:30,500 and figure out how we're going to... 148 00:09:30,583 --> 00:09:33,167 to attack this on the next go round. 149 00:09:33,208 --> 00:09:35,083 I think one of the first things, obviously, 150 00:09:35,167 --> 00:09:39,792 is that we need to continue looking for information regarding Josh, 151 00:09:39,875 --> 00:09:42,000 as far as an alternative suspect, 152 00:09:42,083 --> 00:09:45,167 to show that there is reasonable doubt in the case. 153 00:09:45,208 --> 00:09:49,250 The other thing was their whole entire case is based on the alarm system. 154 00:09:50,500 --> 00:09:53,750 Police are saying they see no signs of forced entry. 155 00:09:53,833 --> 00:09:56,208 It was locked. It was armed. 156 00:09:56,292 --> 00:10:00,500 And so therefore, they said, it's got to be somebody in the house that did it. 157 00:10:00,542 --> 00:10:03,958 So one of the things I'm gonna do is try to figure out 158 00:10:03,958 --> 00:10:06,333 if the alarm system was faulty, 159 00:10:06,375 --> 00:10:08,708 but we got to have support for it. 160 00:10:08,792 --> 00:10:10,583 RICK: Yeah, that's a good point. 161 00:10:10,708 --> 00:10:13,292 Let's see what we can turn up. 162 00:10:13,375 --> 00:10:17,000 I feel a lot of pressure for this retrial that we've got to get this young man 163 00:10:17,125 --> 00:10:19,375 back on the road and back where it needs to be. 164 00:10:20,958 --> 00:10:22,625 CHRIS: We've got a lot on our plate. 165 00:10:26,375 --> 00:10:28,708 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 166 00:10:37,250 --> 00:10:39,208 Joyce, pull up his case. 167 00:10:39,292 --> 00:10:42,250 See if you can find the copies of the medical records. 168 00:10:50,583 --> 00:10:52,500 RICK We're trying to show how biased 169 00:10:52,583 --> 00:10:54,458 the police department was in this case. 170 00:10:54,542 --> 00:10:56,542 They've only said that AJ did it. 171 00:10:56,625 --> 00:11:01,333 In fact, they've ignored, completely ignored, alternative suspects. 172 00:11:15,042 --> 00:11:17,750 Wow, this is really, really important. 173 00:11:17,875 --> 00:11:20,792 These records show, what appears to be a statement 174 00:11:20,875 --> 00:11:23,833 that Josh witnessed his parents being murdered. 175 00:11:23,958 --> 00:11:26,667 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 176 00:11:26,708 --> 00:11:28,375 "Saw parents murdered?" 177 00:11:28,542 --> 00:11:30,417 That could be interpreted differently. 178 00:11:30,542 --> 00:11:33,125 But I would argue, potentially, 179 00:11:33,208 --> 00:11:35,125 what he's allegedly said in those records 180 00:11:35,208 --> 00:11:37,833 puts him in the house at the time of the murders. 181 00:11:48,250 --> 00:11:50,333 RICK: It's about reasonable doubt. 182 00:11:50,375 --> 00:11:53,583 It doesn't mean we have to prove someone else did it. 183 00:11:53,708 --> 00:11:57,292 It's our job to prove to the jury that it could have been another person. 184 00:11:57,375 --> 00:12:02,250 And, thus, there's a reasonable doubt that AJ did not commit these murders. 185 00:12:02,333 --> 00:12:06,250 It could absolutely mean the difference between him going to prison and not. 186 00:12:16,083 --> 00:12:18,000 RICK: So let's do a brief run through. 187 00:12:18,083 --> 00:12:20,833 We continue to investigate Josh, 188 00:12:20,917 --> 00:12:22,875 for purposes of reasonable doubt, 189 00:12:22,958 --> 00:12:24,792 and we get a bunch of medical records 190 00:12:24,875 --> 00:12:25,875 that we didn't have before. 191 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,458 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 192 00:12:39,708 --> 00:12:43,333 We have records that indicate that Josh says, 193 00:12:43,417 --> 00:12:45,750 "I saw my parents murdered." 194 00:12:45,875 --> 00:12:47,917 We believe that this is evidence 195 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,833 of an alternative perpetrator. 196 00:12:50,167 --> 00:12:51,000 Yeah. 197 00:12:51,083 --> 00:12:54,375 It implies he's in the room. 198 00:12:54,458 --> 00:12:56,417 So we know, Josh... 199 00:12:57,792 --> 00:13:01,542 lives two minutes away. 200 00:13:01,667 --> 00:13:06,542 Josh has complete access to the house. 201 00:13:06,625 --> 00:13:09,708 He's lived there. In fact, a couple of weeks before the incident, 202 00:13:09,792 --> 00:13:12,667 he lived in the same room that AJ lived in. 203 00:13:12,750 --> 00:13:15,042 HPD comes in, they go into the house, 204 00:13:15,167 --> 00:13:16,875 they found the parents murdered. 205 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:18,667 Josh is contacted. 206 00:13:18,750 --> 00:13:20,833 So then, Josh shows up at the scene. 207 00:13:20,875 --> 00:13:23,875 The police bag his hands for gunshot residue. 208 00:13:23,958 --> 00:13:25,167 No residue. 209 00:13:26,792 --> 00:13:28,958 But there's a form... 210 00:13:29,042 --> 00:13:32,667 the HPD has to fill out for purposes of the gunshot residue. 211 00:13:32,750 --> 00:13:37,542 And it asks, where were you at the time of the shooting up until now? 212 00:13:37,625 --> 00:13:39,875 And Josh refuses to answer. 213 00:13:49,875 --> 00:13:52,208 So why do you think the Houston Police Department 214 00:13:52,292 --> 00:13:54,458 would not want to investigate Josh? 215 00:13:54,542 --> 00:13:55,875 Right? 216 00:13:55,958 --> 00:13:59,417 AJ said there was a masked intruder in the house, 217 00:13:59,500 --> 00:14:03,583 but within 11 minutes, the first officer says it's AJ. 218 00:14:04,833 --> 00:14:07,417 They made up their mind. Confirmation bias? 219 00:14:07,500 --> 00:14:09,708 Yeah, really it is. 220 00:14:09,792 --> 00:14:13,083 RICK: The Houston Police Department failed to look at any other evidence 221 00:14:13,167 --> 00:14:14,833 that someone else did this. 222 00:14:14,917 --> 00:14:17,625 That brings reasonable doubt to the situation. 223 00:14:28,708 --> 00:14:32,750 KAYRA: Losing my parents and everything has affected me a lot. 224 00:14:32,833 --> 00:14:34,833 Going through what I went through, 225 00:14:34,875 --> 00:14:36,958 it was hard. 226 00:14:37,083 --> 00:14:40,000 It's very hard, period, to think of the possibility 227 00:14:40,042 --> 00:14:45,000 that even one of my brothers could be in the situation. 228 00:14:46,417 --> 00:14:48,250 I adore my brothers. 229 00:14:48,875 --> 00:14:50,625 Regarding AJ, 230 00:14:50,708 --> 00:14:53,000 I know a lot of people judge him. 231 00:14:53,083 --> 00:14:55,417 You know, call him a murderer. 232 00:14:55,542 --> 00:14:57,125 It's not him at all. 233 00:14:57,208 --> 00:14:59,250 If it was any possibility of it, 234 00:14:59,375 --> 00:15:01,208 I wouldn't support my brother like I do. 235 00:15:01,292 --> 00:15:02,958 But I was like, I've grew up with him. 236 00:15:03,042 --> 00:15:07,000 I've known him my whole life, truly and dearly. 237 00:15:07,042 --> 00:15:08,333 It's just not possible. 238 00:15:08,417 --> 00:15:11,167 It's not him. He's not that kind of guy, he... 239 00:15:11,208 --> 00:15:13,500 He doesn't hurt a fly, like, he's just... 240 00:15:13,625 --> 00:15:14,583 he's never been like that. 241 00:15:20,292 --> 00:15:23,167 KAY: The impact that it has had on our family, 242 00:15:23,292 --> 00:15:26,083 I can't put it in words. 243 00:15:26,167 --> 00:15:28,500 You know, when you hear somebody tell you this is, 244 00:15:28,542 --> 00:15:30,250 your grandson did this, 245 00:15:30,333 --> 00:15:33,042 you this did this, you're like, what? 246 00:15:34,042 --> 00:15:36,333 It's like another dagger, 247 00:15:37,375 --> 00:15:38,708 just being driven 248 00:15:39,667 --> 00:15:40,958 in your heart, it's... 249 00:15:41,042 --> 00:15:42,458 (SIGHS SOFTLY) 250 00:15:43,708 --> 00:15:46,750 I don't understand it all, I don't know it all. 251 00:15:46,833 --> 00:15:51,542 I just know, our family has already been ripped and torn. 252 00:15:51,625 --> 00:15:54,667 Our family would like to have our lives back. 253 00:15:54,708 --> 00:15:59,042 And, I want my grandson AJ to have his life back. 254 00:15:59,167 --> 00:16:03,167 So he can continue to be the daddy that he is 255 00:16:03,208 --> 00:16:06,667 and whatever else he decide to do with his life and his future. 256 00:16:06,792 --> 00:16:08,958 (HENDRIX SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY) 257 00:16:11,125 --> 00:16:13,958 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 258 00:16:16,750 --> 00:16:19,333 CHRIS: I want to go through some of these records. 259 00:16:28,667 --> 00:16:32,667 The prosecution says this was a closed house. 260 00:16:33,625 --> 00:16:35,583 It was locked, it was armed. 261 00:16:35,667 --> 00:16:37,042 And so therefore, they said, 262 00:16:37,125 --> 00:16:39,583 it's got to be somebody in the house that did it. 263 00:16:51,458 --> 00:16:54,083 So the motion detectors need movement 264 00:16:54,167 --> 00:16:58,667 every three minutes in front of each sensor for it to stay active. 265 00:16:58,708 --> 00:17:01,208 With no movement in front of them for three minutes, 266 00:17:01,292 --> 00:17:04,000 the sensors go idle. 267 00:17:04,917 --> 00:17:07,458 Problem is, is that the record says 268 00:17:07,542 --> 00:17:10,792 the sensors were active for 47 minutes. 269 00:17:10,875 --> 00:17:15,458 That means somebody had to be in front of them the entire time, 270 00:17:15,542 --> 00:17:18,792 all the way up to the point that the alarm system was disarmed. 271 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:23,667 It's impossible because we know that AJ 272 00:17:23,708 --> 00:17:28,083 was upstairs for 16 minutes on the 911 call. 273 00:17:28,167 --> 00:17:30,833 That's more than three minutes needed to make, 274 00:17:30,875 --> 00:17:34,625 especially the downstairs motion detector go idle. 275 00:17:34,708 --> 00:17:37,042 But it stayed active. 276 00:17:37,125 --> 00:17:39,125 AJ had to come down off that top floor, 277 00:17:39,208 --> 00:17:42,500 had to go around the corner to his sister's room, wake her up. 278 00:17:42,542 --> 00:17:44,667 As he's bringing her down the stairs, 279 00:17:44,792 --> 00:17:48,125 the motion detector downstairs should have picked him up. 280 00:17:48,208 --> 00:17:52,125 But the problem with that is, is that it never went idle to begin with. 281 00:17:53,042 --> 00:17:55,458 So that's why the argument is that 282 00:17:55,542 --> 00:18:00,083 either they themselves were faulty or they had reporting errors. 283 00:18:01,708 --> 00:18:04,833 Their whole entire case is based on the alarm system. 284 00:18:04,917 --> 00:18:08,458 So that means if the motion detectors weren't working, 285 00:18:09,250 --> 00:18:11,083 where's the evidence? 286 00:18:18,125 --> 00:18:20,625 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 287 00:18:20,708 --> 00:18:23,417 I don't really know how to put it into words 288 00:18:23,500 --> 00:18:26,333 what it feels like to lose your parents. 289 00:18:26,375 --> 00:18:27,500 Um... 290 00:18:28,292 --> 00:18:29,583 But it's not... 291 00:18:29,667 --> 00:18:32,625 it's not something I would ever wish on anyone. 292 00:18:33,250 --> 00:18:34,875 I really don't know 293 00:18:34,958 --> 00:18:37,792 if I've grieved or not, 294 00:18:37,875 --> 00:18:38,792 I... 295 00:18:39,708 --> 00:18:42,583 I felt an incredible... 296 00:18:43,458 --> 00:18:46,375 pain over all of these years for... 297 00:18:46,458 --> 00:18:48,750 like, my parents being gone. 298 00:18:48,833 --> 00:18:51,958 Have to face that reality that not only they're gone, 299 00:18:52,042 --> 00:18:55,583 but they're trying to put me in jail because they think I did it. 300 00:18:55,667 --> 00:18:57,417 It's... it's tough. 301 00:18:57,542 --> 00:19:02,417 I'm ready to start trial and finally be able to put this behind me. 302 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,625 NEWS REPORTER: It is a case that truly shocked Houston, 303 00:19:15,708 --> 00:19:18,625 a teenager charged with killing his own parents. 304 00:19:18,708 --> 00:19:22,833 In 2019, a jury could not decide if AJ really did it. 305 00:19:22,917 --> 00:19:25,208 And now he is going to be in a courtroom 306 00:19:25,292 --> 00:19:28,708 to prove his innocence in his capital murder retrial. 307 00:19:30,333 --> 00:19:31,833 BAILIFF: All rise for the jury. 308 00:19:41,750 --> 00:19:44,583 RYAN: On July 28th, 2016, 309 00:19:44,708 --> 00:19:46,375 Antonio Armstrong Sr. 310 00:19:46,458 --> 00:19:50,708 and his wife, Dawn, went to bed in their southwest Houston home. 311 00:19:51,792 --> 00:19:53,667 They were shot in the head. 312 00:19:55,875 --> 00:19:58,375 At 9:52 pm, 313 00:19:58,500 --> 00:20:02,208 the alarm was set in the Armstrong household. 314 00:20:02,333 --> 00:20:07,000 Kayra Armstrong and Dawn and Antonio Sr. went to bed. 315 00:20:07,625 --> 00:20:10,208 Defendant did not go to bed. 316 00:20:10,292 --> 00:20:12,750 He was in his room on his phone. 317 00:20:12,875 --> 00:20:14,667 At 1:02 am, 318 00:20:14,708 --> 00:20:18,125 the defendant's activity on his phone stops. 319 00:20:18,208 --> 00:20:19,500 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 320 00:20:19,583 --> 00:20:22,625 Seven minutes later, the motion sensor 321 00:20:22,708 --> 00:20:25,833 on the second floor is activated. 322 00:20:32,708 --> 00:20:38,917 Don and Antonio were shot between 1.09 and 1.25 am. 323 00:20:39,625 --> 00:20:42,417 At 1:25 am, 324 00:20:42,500 --> 00:20:45,000 a gun was placed on the kitchen counter. 325 00:20:45,042 --> 00:20:50,500 We know because that motion sensor was activated on the first floor. 326 00:20:52,167 --> 00:20:54,625 Fifteen minutes later, 327 00:20:55,167 --> 00:20:57,333 at 1:40 am, 328 00:20:57,333 --> 00:20:59,958 the defendant calls 911 329 00:21:00,042 --> 00:21:02,375 and says he just heard gunshots 330 00:21:02,500 --> 00:21:05,042 and ran immediately to call 911. 331 00:21:07,250 --> 00:21:09,042 There was no forced entry. 332 00:21:09,125 --> 00:21:10,917 The alarm was on. 333 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,167 The killer was not an intruder who came and left. 334 00:21:14,292 --> 00:21:17,250 He was in the house the whole time that night. 335 00:21:20,542 --> 00:21:22,042 RICK: Ladies and gentlemen. 336 00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:26,792 They are wrong about the alarm system. 337 00:21:27,792 --> 00:21:30,875 They told you information about the sensors. 338 00:21:30,958 --> 00:21:33,958 We're going to present evidence that they are inaccurate. 339 00:21:35,542 --> 00:21:37,292 Now, 340 00:21:37,375 --> 00:21:39,458 there's a lot going on with Josh. 341 00:21:39,542 --> 00:21:41,875 Josh is AJ's brother. 342 00:21:41,958 --> 00:21:45,292 The medical records are going to go on and on. 343 00:21:47,167 --> 00:21:49,292 Extremely psychotic. 344 00:21:50,833 --> 00:21:53,292 Delusional, paranoid. 345 00:21:54,625 --> 00:21:58,083 Law enforcement has done almost nothing 346 00:21:59,208 --> 00:22:01,458 to investigate Josh. 347 00:22:02,708 --> 00:22:06,333 We believe that that's confirmation bias. 348 00:22:07,042 --> 00:22:08,417 Within 11 minutes 349 00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:11,667 of going into the house on the day of the murders, 350 00:22:11,750 --> 00:22:14,458 Sergeant Jaralica made up his mind 351 00:22:15,375 --> 00:22:17,708 that AJ did it. 352 00:22:19,333 --> 00:22:21,292 No blood on his clothes. 353 00:22:21,375 --> 00:22:26,333 No physical evidence linking this young man to what happened. 354 00:22:27,542 --> 00:22:30,333 I believe you will have no choice 355 00:22:31,417 --> 00:22:33,000 to find this young man 356 00:22:34,792 --> 00:22:36,625 not guilty. 357 00:22:37,333 --> 00:22:38,875 Thank you. 358 00:22:40,250 --> 00:22:42,000 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 359 00:23:00,875 --> 00:23:03,833 COURTNEY: Three HPD officers who were the first on scene 360 00:23:03,958 --> 00:23:07,208 testified about what they saw that day. 361 00:23:07,292 --> 00:23:10,667 They tried proving that police had just a few minutes to secure the scene 362 00:23:10,792 --> 00:23:16,833 and evidence showed that there was probable cause to charge AJ fairly quickly. 363 00:23:16,917 --> 00:23:20,125 RICK: They made a decision immediately to charge AJ. 364 00:23:20,208 --> 00:23:23,333 Any evidence whatsoever that goes the other way, 365 00:23:23,375 --> 00:23:27,417 uh, Josh, access to the house, they refused to look at it. 366 00:23:29,875 --> 00:23:31,917 COURTNEY: Today we saw the gun 367 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,917 investigators say AJ used to shoot and kill his parents. 368 00:23:37,208 --> 00:23:40,708 They are trying to make AJ appear 369 00:23:40,792 --> 00:23:44,875 as a cold, indifferent killer. 370 00:23:49,125 --> 00:23:51,542 COURTNEY: Prosecutors showed text messages between AJ 371 00:23:51,708 --> 00:23:55,042 and his parents claiming he lied about his grades, about smoking weed, 372 00:23:55,042 --> 00:23:57,500 about sneaking out to see his girlfriend. 373 00:24:02,875 --> 00:24:05,208 RICK: Those text messages are nonsense. 374 00:24:05,292 --> 00:24:08,958 There's nothing in these text messages that indicate any type of motive. 375 00:24:12,125 --> 00:24:16,500 COURTNEY: Today we saw alarm records from the Armstrong House 376 00:24:16,542 --> 00:24:20,667 that say that the doors and windows were secured. 377 00:24:20,708 --> 00:24:24,125 The killer had to come from inside the house. 378 00:24:24,208 --> 00:24:28,583 But the defense says these records simply cannot be trusted. 379 00:24:28,667 --> 00:24:32,292 RICK: They say the house is closed and the alarm records are 100 percent accurate. 380 00:24:32,375 --> 00:24:35,833 But Mr. Collins, on cross examination, was able to show that there was 381 00:24:35,875 --> 00:24:39,917 at least 77 different errors in those alarm records. 382 00:24:53,375 --> 00:24:56,125 NEWS REPORTER: Two of AJ Armstrong's former football coaches 383 00:24:56,208 --> 00:24:57,667 took the stand this morning. 384 00:24:57,875 --> 00:25:01,833 They told jurors AJ had a great relationship with his parents. 385 00:25:12,167 --> 00:25:13,875 COURTNEY: The defense psychiatrist testified 386 00:25:13,958 --> 00:25:16,208 that he thinks that Josh showed signs 387 00:25:16,292 --> 00:25:19,542 that he was mentally unstable before the murders. 388 00:25:19,625 --> 00:25:20,792 He just didn't get treated for it, 389 00:25:20,875 --> 00:25:23,250 so there's no documentation of it. 390 00:25:23,333 --> 00:25:26,375 He based his belief on interviews he did with Kay Winston, 391 00:25:26,458 --> 00:25:29,375 Antonio Sr.'s mother, and Kayra Armstrong, 392 00:25:29,458 --> 00:25:32,042 Josh and AJ's sister. 393 00:25:32,125 --> 00:25:35,833 We try to prove that Josh's psychosis, his mental health issues 394 00:25:35,875 --> 00:25:38,542 were occurring prior to the murders. 395 00:25:38,542 --> 00:25:41,833 We were able to show the medical records that we discovered, 396 00:25:41,917 --> 00:25:45,167 where it appeared Josh said, 'saw parents murdered.' 397 00:25:45,208 --> 00:25:48,167 And this is why there's reasonable doubt in this case. 398 00:25:48,250 --> 00:25:51,167 But then prosecutor John Jordan ripped into the doctor, 399 00:25:51,208 --> 00:25:54,542 saying what the family says just doesn't add up. 400 00:25:59,875 --> 00:26:02,292 Kabya Armstrong, AJ's younger sister, 401 00:26:02,375 --> 00:26:04,958 walked us through that night before the murders, 402 00:26:04,958 --> 00:26:07,000 she said it was like any other night. 403 00:26:07,083 --> 00:26:11,458 Kayra told the jury AJ was acting quote "normal." 404 00:26:11,542 --> 00:26:13,625 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 405 00:26:15,792 --> 00:26:17,833 RICK: Jury speculation is a hopeless art. 406 00:26:17,917 --> 00:26:20,708 It's very difficult to tell what they're thinking. 407 00:26:20,792 --> 00:26:25,167 We just hope that we have proven that there's no reason to convict AJ, 408 00:26:25,292 --> 00:26:27,000 there's reasonable doubt throughout this case 409 00:26:27,125 --> 00:26:29,042 and get him home back to his family. 410 00:26:57,750 --> 00:26:59,625 BAILIFF: All rise for the jury. 411 00:27:04,500 --> 00:27:07,625 Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I know it's been an emotional time. 412 00:27:07,708 --> 00:27:09,625 I don't expect any outbursts. 413 00:27:11,750 --> 00:27:14,708 The court finds that based on the fact 414 00:27:14,792 --> 00:27:17,375 that the jury has deliberated... 415 00:27:17,500 --> 00:27:21,625 currently at 17 hours and 58 minutes. 416 00:27:27,417 --> 00:27:31,292 The court, on its own motion at this time is declaring a mistrial. 417 00:27:32,417 --> 00:27:34,958 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 418 00:27:37,375 --> 00:27:38,583 So with that, 419 00:27:38,667 --> 00:27:41,500 your duty as jurors is over. 420 00:27:41,583 --> 00:27:46,250 We appreciate the time and energy that you've devoted to this case. 421 00:27:47,583 --> 00:27:49,958 And with that, please retire the jury. 422 00:27:50,042 --> 00:27:52,000 BAILIFF: All rise for the jury. 423 00:28:10,375 --> 00:28:12,917 What do you think? Your reaction to what just happened in there? 424 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:14,833 It's time to free AJ. 425 00:28:14,917 --> 00:28:17,667 It's been six years, it's been two trials. 426 00:28:17,708 --> 00:28:20,917 It's been 40, 50 witnesses. 427 00:28:21,042 --> 00:28:23,000 It's been probably millions of dollars of expenses 428 00:28:23,042 --> 00:28:24,208 by the district attorney's office. 429 00:28:24,292 --> 00:28:26,500 It's time to let this young man go. 430 00:28:26,542 --> 00:28:28,500 They brought their best prosecutors, 431 00:28:28,583 --> 00:28:30,250 they tried to bring their best case, 432 00:28:30,708 --> 00:28:32,333 and the split, 433 00:28:32,458 --> 00:28:35,542 as far as we know when they broke, was eight-four, not guilty. 434 00:28:35,625 --> 00:28:37,250 So it got worse for them. 435 00:28:37,333 --> 00:28:40,000 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 436 00:28:53,083 --> 00:28:56,083 NEWS REPORTER: Big developments in the AJ Armstrong case. 437 00:28:56,167 --> 00:28:58,958 The district attorney's office confirms 438 00:28:59,042 --> 00:29:02,042 it will try AJ for a third time 439 00:29:02,125 --> 00:29:03,833 n the death of his parents. 440 00:29:12,958 --> 00:29:15,542 RICK: I'm disappointed. 441 00:29:15,542 --> 00:29:20,750 It's pretty rare when we have a second retrial, much less a third. 442 00:29:20,875 --> 00:29:25,125 It's more difficult from the standpoint that the state has the advantage 443 00:29:25,208 --> 00:29:27,208 because they know everything that we're going to do. 444 00:29:28,625 --> 00:29:32,583 Again, we are going to present the alternative perpetrator theory 445 00:29:32,667 --> 00:29:36,458 to show the jury that they cannot prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt. 446 00:29:36,542 --> 00:29:38,833 We just can only hope that we've done everything 447 00:29:38,917 --> 00:29:40,583 you need to do to get to that point. 448 00:29:51,125 --> 00:29:52,667 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 449 00:29:52,750 --> 00:29:55,375 NEWS REPORTER: It is Armstrong's third capital murder trial 450 00:29:55,500 --> 00:29:59,875 after the first two ended in mistrials in 2019 and 2022. 451 00:30:04,167 --> 00:30:05,958 COURTNEY: This is it. 452 00:30:06,042 --> 00:30:10,167 This is the third time an unprecedented third capital murder trial. 453 00:30:10,208 --> 00:30:13,125 The feeling this morning is different. 454 00:30:13,208 --> 00:30:17,333 New flakes of blood were just found weeks ago 455 00:30:17,417 --> 00:30:21,208 under a sticky badge on Armstrong's shirt he was wearing the morning 456 00:30:21,292 --> 00:30:23,833 he was charged with killing his parents. 457 00:30:23,958 --> 00:30:27,417 We'll hear from experts about whose blood that's believed to be, 458 00:30:27,542 --> 00:30:30,583 and we'll see how it makes a difference for trial three. 459 00:30:30,667 --> 00:30:32,958 But under the judge's strict media rules, 460 00:30:33,042 --> 00:30:36,417 we will not be able to record any of the trial. 461 00:30:42,792 --> 00:30:45,708 Prosecutors starting off telling jurors the house alarm records 462 00:30:45,875 --> 00:30:50,917 plus AJ's cell phone activity, fit together perfectly like a puzzle. 463 00:30:51,042 --> 00:30:53,167 Defense attorney Rick DeToto pointed the finger 464 00:30:53,208 --> 00:30:55,500 at AJ Armstrong's brother, Josh. 465 00:31:05,375 --> 00:31:09,167 We heard testimony from the guy at alarm.com 466 00:31:09,208 --> 00:31:13,167 who really dug into the Armstrong's home security system. 467 00:31:13,292 --> 00:31:15,667 He told jurors that according to these records, 468 00:31:15,708 --> 00:31:18,375 the alarm was working, it was on, 469 00:31:18,458 --> 00:31:21,458 and no doors or windows were opened. 470 00:31:21,542 --> 00:31:24,208 The defense challenged the alarm records. 471 00:31:24,292 --> 00:31:26,292 They talked about glitches 472 00:31:26,375 --> 00:31:28,458 on some of those alarm records. 473 00:31:32,500 --> 00:31:36,333 Today, HPD CSU investigator Jimmy James, 474 00:31:36,417 --> 00:31:38,792 telling jurors that he spent five hours 475 00:31:38,875 --> 00:31:42,500 in the Armstrong house taking photos and bagging evidence after the murders. 476 00:31:42,625 --> 00:31:47,417 Then, the defense attacking the fact that James didn't swab the doorknobs, 477 00:31:47,542 --> 00:31:51,208 didn't collect samples from the bloodstain that was found on the wall. 478 00:31:51,292 --> 00:31:53,625 You could tell prosecutors were frustrated, 479 00:31:53,625 --> 00:31:56,958 and Armstrong's attorneys were feeling confident. 480 00:32:01,542 --> 00:32:03,625 NEWS REPORTER: New blood evidence is now at the center 481 00:32:03,708 --> 00:32:06,292 of AJ Armstrong's third capital murder trial. 482 00:32:06,375 --> 00:32:10,417 NEWS REPORTER 2: The evidence in question was found on a shirt AJ wore the night of the murder, 483 00:32:10,500 --> 00:32:12,542 and it was located under a name tag 484 00:32:12,625 --> 00:32:16,333 placed on AJ by Houston police officers. 485 00:32:16,375 --> 00:32:18,958 REPORTER: Celestino Rossi, a DNA expert, 486 00:32:19,042 --> 00:32:21,250 testified that it is very likely 487 00:32:21,375 --> 00:32:24,875 Antonio Armstrong Sr.'s blood. 488 00:32:24,875 --> 00:32:28,125 But, "hold on," said defense attorney Rick DeToto. 489 00:32:28,208 --> 00:32:30,667 DNA testing done back in 2016 490 00:32:30,750 --> 00:32:34,583 found no blood was ever found on Armstrong's clothes. 491 00:32:34,708 --> 00:32:36,583 Rossi conceded to the defense 492 00:32:36,708 --> 00:32:39,667 that stain could have gotten there from cross contamination. 493 00:32:42,708 --> 00:32:44,917 REPORTER 2: Prosecution has called its final witness 494 00:32:45,042 --> 00:32:47,542 in the AJ Armstrong Capital murder retrial. 495 00:32:58,542 --> 00:33:00,417 REPORTER: Dr. Ian Lamoureux said that 496 00:33:00,500 --> 00:33:02,333 after reading hundreds of pages 497 00:33:02,417 --> 00:33:04,333 of Josh's psychiatric medical records, 498 00:33:04,417 --> 00:33:07,250 he thinks Josh suffered from PTSD 499 00:33:07,375 --> 00:33:09,708 after his parents were murdered. 500 00:33:17,542 --> 00:33:21,292 REPORTER 2: Second week of AJ Armstrong's third trial for the murder of his parents. 501 00:33:21,375 --> 00:33:25,625 The prosecution rested today and the defense began its case. 502 00:33:25,708 --> 00:33:29,833 REPORTER: Today we heard from the Armstrong family members. 503 00:33:29,958 --> 00:33:34,500 Kayra Armstrong describing her family as very close. 504 00:33:34,583 --> 00:33:36,875 AJ's grandmother also took the stand. 505 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:40,542 She told the jury that AJ was a normal 16-year-old kid 506 00:33:40,708 --> 00:33:42,542 who, yeah, sometimes lied to his parents, 507 00:33:42,667 --> 00:33:44,625 but that doesn't make him a killer. 508 00:33:55,625 --> 00:33:59,292 REPORTER: The defense psychiatrist testified that he thinks Josh had 509 00:33:59,375 --> 00:34:02,042 full on schizophrenia around that time. 510 00:34:02,125 --> 00:34:03,667 It's their theory all along 511 00:34:03,792 --> 00:34:07,500 that Josh could be an alternative suspect. 512 00:34:22,542 --> 00:34:23,792 JUDGE: All right, ladies and gentlemen, 513 00:34:26,542 --> 00:34:27,792 You may proceed. 514 00:34:29,042 --> 00:34:30,833 CHRIS: Ladies and gentlemen, 515 00:34:30,875 --> 00:34:35,333 we have a record that says what the activity of the cell phone was doing. 516 00:34:35,458 --> 00:34:39,250 But there's no evidence as to what AJ was doing. 517 00:34:39,333 --> 00:34:42,042 This is all speculation. 518 00:34:42,167 --> 00:34:46,583 When you start pressing the state about where is the evidence, 519 00:34:46,583 --> 00:34:49,125 there is nothing. 520 00:34:52,500 --> 00:34:55,667 RICK: Ladies and gentlemen, the prosecution 521 00:34:55,708 --> 00:34:59,625 all of a sudden discovers blood under the nametag. 522 00:35:00,667 --> 00:35:04,417 We also know there's no blood on the shirt. 523 00:35:05,708 --> 00:35:10,167 How do get those blood specks on that sticker? 524 00:35:10,250 --> 00:35:12,833 Me and my investigator went down to the property room. 525 00:35:13,958 --> 00:35:15,625 Evidence put in boxes. 526 00:35:15,708 --> 00:35:18,042 And we pulled the evidence out of the box. 527 00:35:18,125 --> 00:35:20,583 What did we see at the bottom of that box? 528 00:35:21,542 --> 00:35:24,167 There's specks in the box! 529 00:35:25,333 --> 00:35:27,000 Specks of blood. 530 00:35:27,167 --> 00:35:28,917 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 531 00:35:29,042 --> 00:35:31,167 Rossi says that there's a possibility 532 00:35:31,250 --> 00:35:34,542 that one of the specks is from cross contamination. 533 00:35:34,625 --> 00:35:38,292 That cross contamination is enough reasonable doubt 534 00:35:38,375 --> 00:35:39,917 to acquit this young man. 535 00:35:40,042 --> 00:35:40,958 That is enough. 536 00:35:42,125 --> 00:35:45,750 Find AJ Armstrong not guilty. 537 00:35:53,958 --> 00:35:57,292 What does a murderer 538 00:35:58,083 --> 00:35:59,208 look like? 539 00:36:02,292 --> 00:36:05,833 Folks, he's the only person awake in the house 540 00:36:05,917 --> 00:36:08,125 at the very time of the murders. 541 00:36:08,208 --> 00:36:09,500 He's not in his room. 542 00:36:09,542 --> 00:36:12,208 We know this because his phone is moving. 543 00:36:14,208 --> 00:36:16,875 You are duty bound. 544 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:21,500 to convict this defendant on the alarm records alone. 545 00:36:21,583 --> 00:36:25,958 The alarm records show that nobody entered that house that night. 546 00:36:26,042 --> 00:36:26,917 Period. 547 00:36:28,375 --> 00:36:30,500 The murder weapon 548 00:36:31,167 --> 00:36:32,250 is in the house. 549 00:36:34,042 --> 00:36:36,708 If anybody comes into a house to commit a murder, 550 00:36:36,792 --> 00:36:39,250 they're going to leave with said murder weapon. 551 00:36:40,875 --> 00:36:44,625 The way you know is that the murder weapon's in the house, 552 00:36:44,708 --> 00:36:46,667 the murderer is still in the house. 553 00:36:48,375 --> 00:36:51,667 The evidence doesn't lie. 554 00:36:52,542 --> 00:36:53,625 He lies. 555 00:36:57,542 --> 00:36:58,667 JUDGE: All right, ladies and gentlemen, 556 00:36:58,750 --> 00:37:01,042 you have heard all of the evidence. 557 00:37:01,125 --> 00:37:03,958 So retire to the jury room and begin your deliberation. 558 00:37:28,958 --> 00:37:33,125 COURTNEY: Jurors have been deliberating since around 10 o'clock this morning, 559 00:37:33,208 --> 00:37:34,667 still without a verdict. 560 00:37:45,417 --> 00:37:48,542 In the last few minutes, we just heard another bell, 561 00:37:48,625 --> 00:37:53,000 which means that the jury either has a question potentially reaching a verdict. 562 00:37:54,917 --> 00:37:56,833 I gotta go. I gotta go in. 563 00:37:57,375 --> 00:37:59,917 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 564 00:38:00,542 --> 00:38:03,750 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 565 00:38:13,500 --> 00:38:15,875 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 566 00:38:29,042 --> 00:38:30,750 JUDGE: All right, ladies and gentlemen. 567 00:38:56,667 --> 00:38:58,542 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 568 00:39:04,167 --> 00:39:05,792 (MUSIC STOPS) 569 00:39:45,250 --> 00:39:47,125 (CRYING) 570 00:39:47,208 --> 00:39:48,833 If you let us please get past. 571 00:39:51,417 --> 00:39:55,000 RICK: To have this result after seven years is a tough pill to swallow, 572 00:39:57,375 --> 00:40:00,083 but we will not ever stop fighting for AJ. 573 00:40:00,167 --> 00:40:02,708 I've said this many times, we'll be here always for him 574 00:40:02,792 --> 00:40:04,333 and his family is strong as they can be 575 00:40:04,417 --> 00:40:06,000 and they will not stop fighting for AJ. 576 00:40:06,125 --> 00:40:09,333 They will continue through an appeal and whatever comes after that. 577 00:40:09,458 --> 00:40:11,958 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 578 00:40:22,042 --> 00:40:26,167 I want to thank the members of the jury 579 00:40:26,208 --> 00:40:30,000 who today convicted Antonio Armstrong Jr. of capital murder. 580 00:40:31,958 --> 00:40:37,167 Today, we've now seen what a murderer looks like. 581 00:40:37,542 --> 00:40:39,125 Thank you. 582 00:40:59,500 --> 00:41:01,375 RICK: It's devastating. 583 00:41:01,458 --> 00:41:04,667 It's not what we thought would happen. 584 00:41:04,750 --> 00:41:06,417 We fought our butts off for seven years 585 00:41:06,500 --> 00:41:09,792 and I think we've done everything we possibly could have. 586 00:41:11,833 --> 00:41:14,792 I don't feel justice has been done. 587 00:41:14,917 --> 00:41:17,042 I don't think that AJ is guilty by any means. 588 00:41:17,125 --> 00:41:19,333 I think that he's 100 percent innocent. 589 00:41:19,458 --> 00:41:23,042 But you never know what's going to happen in a jury trial. 590 00:41:23,167 --> 00:41:24,833 We're going to be strong, we're going to carry on 591 00:41:24,875 --> 00:41:26,958 and we're going to keep fighting for AJ. 592 00:41:32,292 --> 00:41:34,667 AUTOMATED VOICE: Prepaid collect call from 593 00:41:34,708 --> 00:41:38,083 an incarcerated individual at Harris County Jail. 594 00:41:39,208 --> 00:41:41,000 My AJ. 595 00:41:41,083 --> 00:41:43,958 -AJ: Yes, ma'am. -Hi, my grandson. 596 00:41:44,708 --> 00:41:46,292 How you feeling? 597 00:41:46,375 --> 00:41:51,583 AJ: I was completely blindsided by that verdict. 598 00:41:52,833 --> 00:41:56,000 It was a gut punch like never before. 599 00:41:56,083 --> 00:41:59,000 KAY: To have went through and suffer what you have. 600 00:41:59,042 --> 00:42:02,625 Everything we've been through for seven long years 601 00:42:02,750 --> 00:42:05,083 and then to have this to happen. 602 00:42:06,250 --> 00:42:07,833 AJ: Just staying strong. 603 00:42:09,333 --> 00:42:11,125 You're doing great, grandson. 604 00:42:12,542 --> 00:42:13,875 AJ: Yes, I am. 605 00:42:15,917 --> 00:42:17,708 AJ: Y'all let everyone know 606 00:42:17,833 --> 00:42:19,958 that the AJ Armstrong story 607 00:42:20,042 --> 00:42:22,583 did not end with him going to jail. 608 00:42:24,042 --> 00:42:27,208 It's going to end with him walking out of jail. 609 00:42:27,292 --> 00:42:33,167 A free man, back to his life, back with his son, his family. 610 00:42:33,250 --> 00:42:35,375 (VOICE SHAKING) My story is not in this point, 611 00:42:35,500 --> 00:42:37,000 (SNIFFLES) 612 00:42:37,083 --> 00:42:40,042 and I know it might not seem like it right now. 613 00:42:40,125 --> 00:42:43,292 This is not how my story is gonna end. 614 00:42:43,375 --> 00:42:44,667 (SOBBING) 615 00:42:44,750 --> 00:42:46,333 I'm gonna get out 616 00:42:46,375 --> 00:42:49,583 and we're gonna have a great story to tell. 617 00:42:49,667 --> 00:42:51,292 (CONTINUES SOBBING)