Kaitlin Armstrong murder case advances toward June 26 trial date

A Travis County judge said Thursday that the high-profile murder case against Kaitlin Armstrong in the shooting death of cyclist Moriah Wilson last year will proceed toward a June 26 trial date.

Armstrong, who appeared in court wearing a burgundy shirt with black-and-white jail pants, told state District Judge Brandy Mueller that she is persisting in her request for a speedy trial. Her defense team had sought a speedy trial last year.

However, defense attorney Rick Cofer told Mueller that he and his team might need to request that the trial be delayed until later this year so they can secure witnesses and other evidence for her defense. Mueller asked Cofer to make such a request by May 1.

More: Here's what we know about murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong's arrest in Costa Rica

Armstrong has been charged with murder in the death of Wilson, who was found shot in an East Austin home May 11. Police have accused Armstrong of killing Wilson because of a relationship Wilson had with Armstrong's live-in boyfriend.

In the days after Wilson's death, Armstrong traveled to Costa Rica. She was arrested there by federal officials and brought back to Austin.

More: Feds detail capture of Kaitlin Armstrong, suspect in cyclist's killing

Mueller pointed out that Armstrong continues to assert her innocence and that it doesn't seem likely she is considering a plea deal with prosecutors.

Mueller said that if the case goes to trial, it probably would be heard by a visiting judge, Brenda Kennedy, who presided over the case until her retirement in January. Mueller said she has other cases on her docket set for trial that week.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Kaitlin Armstrong murder case in Moriah Wilson's death advances to trial