Prosecutors are hoping that the third time will be the charm in the capital murder case of Antonio Armstrong Jr. But before the February 2023 trial goes underway, the defendant decided to break his silence and speak to the media for the first time since his 2016 arrest (per FOX 26 Houston).
Armstrong Jr. sat down with ABC’s “20/20” for an interview with reporter Matt Gutman, which aired on the program on January 6 (via ABC News). Not surprisingly, he still maintains his innocence. He told the outlet, “There’s no way possible. I couldn’t even fathom the idea of killing my parents.” He still has family members in his corner as the third trial is preparing to go underway, too. His grandfather, Keith Whitely, was also interviewed by ABC News. “I thought someone lost their mind trying to charge my grandson with killing his mom and dad. No way,” he said in support.
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The defense attorney Armstrong Jr. retained was steadfast in his client’s innocence. Rick DeToto told “20/20” that the severe lack of physical evidence pointing to Armstrong Jr., coupled with the troubled history of his older step-brother, made a weak case for the state. A faulty alarm system, a break-in at one of Armstrong Sr.’s gyms, and no powder residue on his client’s hands should have pointed investigators in a direction away from the one they are bringing to trial for the third time.
Ultimately, Armstrong Jr.’s fate will be decided by the 12 men and women on the jury. Provided, of course, that this time they will be able to come together for a unanimous decision.
