I know this kid is accused of killing his parents and has been tried twice with two hung juries. Beyond that, I'm not up-to-date on the facts of this case. Can anyone weigh in on why they are giving it a go for round 3 with this kid? Genuinely curious if anyone here knows details.

Yes, I know I'm MARVIN ZINDLER and should know these things.

https://abc13.com/aj-armstrong-houston-teen-accused-of-killing-parents-what-is-a-hung-jury-happens-when-doesnt-agree/12650471/

Third trial? Wow. Seems brutal. Surprised the DA didn't cut this one loose after only convincing 4 jurors last time around.

wow, going for a 3rd bite at the apple when the 2nd go around resulted an even worse split in the jury.

ABC's 20/20 from this past Friday night (1/6) was about the Armstrong murder case

I was shocked that they are going to trial for a third time and have never looked at another person.

is there another suspect?

Fascinating case. The 20/20 episode on Friday was really good and insightful.

Jury 1st round: guilty 8-4
Jury 2nd round: guilty 4-8

In the 2nd case, AJ's cell phone data and house alarm system were the most incriminating evidence. The jurors knew he did it, however they couldn't find him guilty without reasonable doubt

The defense wants to look more into AJ's adopted mentally ill brother, who does not live at the house, but nearby. Police have ruled him out

Incrementing evidence: AJ and his 12 year old sister we're the only ones on the house (beside his deceased mother and his dad who was clinging to life)and the alarm was set (and had not been disabled or set off)

AJ said he never shot his dads gun, but there was as a gun shot hole in his floor (which he later admitted he did it earlier and his dads gun).

His cell phone being turned off just prior to the alarms sensor in the stair case down from the third floor (AJs room) to his parents room just prior to shootings.

Evidence that hurt the prosecution:

AJs hand and clothes did not test positive for gun shot residue. Evidence suggest the washing machine wasn't run immediately prior to the polices arrival. No signs of recent water being run in the showers or sinks.

What did they ever say about the 'burn' mark on the stairs? The kid is so guilty, but I can see why a jury wouldn't be 100%.

Unbelievably a jury hasn't convicted. Guilty dog.

Believe DA moving to change venue as Harris County jury pool is tainted.

This case is so unfortunate.

Did anyone ever figure out a motive in this case?

he was being ridden hard by his parents. He flunked out of Kinkaid so they were not happy with him. Lots of texts were published in the first trials.

3rd trial starts today

all of his remaining family seems to believe he is innocent.

Quote:

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The third capital murder trial for Antonio "AJ" Armstrong Jr. is underway after two previous mistrials and a lengthy last-minute delay.

Armstrong is accused of killing his sleeping parents in their Bellaire-area home in southwest Houston in 2016 when he was 16 years old.

During opening statements that began around 11 a.m. Monday, we learned the reason the judge delayed Armstrong's third trial back in June.

Prosecutors said they discovered new blood spattered on the shirt AJ Armstrong was wearing. They said a blood spatter expert wanted to look at the pillows that were covering Antonio Armstrong Sr. and Dawn Armstrong at the crime scene. While the expert was in the property room, prosecutors said she noticed a sticker labeling the shirt that AJ Armstrong was wearing when he was taken in for questioning. She peeled it back and saw two stains believed to be blood. Prosecutors said a rapid DNA test showed the blood belonged to Armstrong Sr.

"They weren't looking for it. They just found it," Harris County Assistant District Attorney John Jordan told the jurors.

Defense attorney Rick Detoto argued that the dried blood under the sticker was cross-contamination from other evidence, likely a bloody pillow. He said they had the head of the lab test everything again in response to the prosecutor's claims but she found no blood on the shirt itself.

"The evidence is gonna show you that the specks on the sticker did not come from the shirt," Detoto said during opening statements.

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Armstrong is going to be found innocent with this 3rd trial. Time for the D.A. to cut their losses and move on.

Needs to be some street justice.

Microwave Onions said:

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agz win said:

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Needs to be some street justice.

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From whom? All of the people directly affected by this case - in real life and not just on the internet - believe he is innocent and are standing by him.

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People fail to understand, It's not what you know, it's what can you prove. These keyboard lawyers make me laugh.

Microwave Onions said:

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agz win said:

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Needs to be some street justice.

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From whom? All of the people directly affected by this case - in real life and not just on the internet - believe he is innocent and are standing by him.

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What do you expect Dindunuffins to say?

Furlock Bones said:

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all of his remaining family seems to believe he is innocent.

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Have to wonder if they really believe he is innocent or if they think his parents would not want him convicted of their murder. Tragic and sad case either way.

I think it says more about the police and the DA. Prosecutor convinced even less jurors the 2nd time around.

closing arguments today.

jury deliberated for 5 hours yesterday. they returned this morning at 9:30. still no verdict. my bet. a 3rd mistrial.

For someone who has not read anything about any of this is there a good article or somethin where I could get a decent synopsis?

Mom and Dad shot and killed in their bed with a gun from their house. AJ called 911 to report the shooting. No signs of forced entry or issues with the alarm system. No finger prints or DNA on the gun, but evidence the gun was fired in AJ's room at some point.

Defense offers an alternative theory that it was the older half-brother, who lived close by. Brother's ex-girlfriend says on the night of the murder, he woke her up frantically saying someone was in parent's house, went to check it out, and found out parents were dead. Brother has mental health issue and it's debatable whether that was because of the murders or started before.

AJ probably did it, but there is just enough doubt about the brother that the two previous trials resulted in hung juries.

also no towels or anything indicating he washed his hands.

just prior to the 3rd trial started, the prosecution supposedly discovered Armstrong Sr's DNA on the back of the nametag Armstrong jr was wearing at the police station.

AJ's lawyers have filed a lawsuit against the City as soon a the jury was sequestered. so, the filing will not affect the jury outcome. but, it sounds like regardless of outcome. this isn't over.

Verdict reached...

A verdict has been reached in the third capital murder trial against Antonio “AJ” Armstrong, who is accused of killing his parents at the family’s southwest Houston home in 2016. https://t.co/xCKMG84nTX

— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) August 16, 2023

wow.

Do y'all think the new blood was planted? Seems weird they didn't bring it up in either of first 2 trials