HOUSTON, Texas - In a surprising turn of events, A.J. Armstrong has been convicted in his third trial in the murder of his parents, Don and Antonio Sr. of the brutal murder of Armstrong. [Day] the jury deliberated for about 10 hours after the end of a protracted seven-year legal battle
The trial in the Houston courtroom was an emotional and tense atmosphere as A.J. Armstrong and his legal team faced a decision. The judge voted for the jury to unanimously agree on the guilty verdict. A.J. They declined to comment to the media.
Watch: cameras inside courtroom as the verdict was being read
A.J. Armstrong was accused of shooting his parents to death as they slept in their southwest Houston residence in July 2016. Pillows were placed on the victims’ faces, an act that prompted local resident A.J. Only 16 at the time and a junior in high school, he was arrested soon after the incident.
The case has been tried several times over the years, with the first two ending in a mistrial because of a lack of unanimity. The third trial lasted an intense 11 days and included testimony from 31 witnesses. After more than 40 hours of testimony, the jury returned a guilty verdict.
Because of the conviction, A.J. Armstrong is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 40 years. He is exempt from the death penalty because of his age at the time of the killing. The verdict closes a chapter in an issue that has roiled the community for years.
District Attorney Kim Ogg called A.J. parents as a tragic loss, saying, "Antonio Sr. and Don Armstrong died because they tried to be good parents, because they wanted their children to be right."
Defense attorney Rick DeToto said A.J. Detoto said, "He's devastated. He's one of the strongest young men I know. His family is wonderful, obviously devastated right now."
Watch: He's devastated defense attorneys spoke after finding out he's guilty
Over the years, the defense has helped A.J. The State introduced text messages between the victims and Josh as evidence, portrayed as a normal and caring son. But the defense argued that Josh suffered from mental health conditions such as depression and schizophrenia which could have affected his behaviour.
A guilty verdict ends a tumultuous legal journey that leaves victims’ families and communities feeling shut down. A.J. Armstrong, now 23, faces a long prison sentence, leaving behind one of the most closely watched cases in Houston's recent history.
