AJ Armstrong’s name made national headlines as the teenager was accused of a brutal crime—the murder of his parents. Years after the shocking events and a highly publicized trial, many are left wondering: where is AJ Armstrong now? In this article, we’ll uncover what has happened since that fateful night and where his life has led him today.
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A.J. Armstrong Verdict
In August 2023, during the AJ Armstrong trial, the jury issued a guilty verdict for murdering his parents. The court sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.
In post-trial interviews, jurors cited several factors contributing to their decision.
The jury questioned AJ’s 911 call to the Houston Police Department. He said a masked intruder killed his parents. Also, AJ’s statements were inconsistent during police interviews.
Jurors questioned his decision to pour gasoline hidden in a rubbing alcohol bottle on top of the carpeted staircase. He struck a match, igniting a sudden blaze, and quickly smothered it with a pillow to contain the flames.
Finally, the jurors believed that the bullet hole in his bedroom floor was actually a practice shot. AJ admitted to shooting the gun through the floor. However, he insisted it happened weeks earlier when a friend was visiting. Still, he refused to reveal the so-called friend’s identity, leaving jurors to question the validity of the claims.
The jury also expressed strong disapproval of the defense’s attempt to blame Josh for the murders. They emphasized the emotional toll Josh’s parents’ deaths had taken on him.
In an exclusive interview with ABC13, AJ Armstrong Jr. vehemently denied his guilt in the murder of his parents. He described his 16-year-old self as a “goofy kid” who made mistakes out of curiosity, not malice.
A.J. Armstrong Wife: Kate Ober
After his conviction, AJ married his high school sweetheart, Kate, and the two had a child together. During the trial, Kate took the stand, offering a different perspective of AJ’s family dynamics.
She recounted the loving relationship she witnessed between AJ and his parents.
Ever since the murders of her boyfriend’s parents, Ober expressed having to take anti-anxiety medication.
On the day of the murders, she told defense attorneys A.J. seemed like his normal “happy, goofy” self through text correspondence. A couple of hours before he called 911 about his parents being shot, AJ and Kate spoke on the phone.
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Antonio Armstrong Sr.
The San Francisco 49ers drafted Antonio Armstrong Sr. in 1995 after he played football at Texas A&M. After that, he spent six years in the Canadian Football League.
He met Dawn and Josh while living in Canada. Both deeply devoted to their Christian faith, they married, and Antonio Sr. adopted Josh.
The family returned to Houston after Antonio Jr. was born and welcomed their daughter Kayra.
The family settled in Bellaire, where Dawn and Antonio Sr. opened 1st Class Gym. Antonio Sr. worked as a personal trainer, fitness coach, and associate pastor at his mother’s church.
Antonio and Dawn Armstrong provided their children with a well-rounded upbringing. They sent them to a top-rated private school and fostered a loving home in a suburban community.
Dawn Armstrong
The months preceding the murders brought a noticeable shift in Josh and AJ’s behavior. AJ was selling marijuana, while both he and Josh were heavily using it.
Josh dropped out of college and moved back home. He was exhibiting increasingly erratic and aggressive behavior that worried Dawn and Antonio Sr.
Their concerns escalated when they discovered a party hosted by Josh. They served marijuana and alcohol, forcing them to demand that Josh leave the house.
The boys’ drastic change in behavior deeply concerned Dawn. She struggled to reconcile the loving, responsible young men she once knew. Josh, particularly, became increasingly erratic and was a volatile person.
KHOU11 reported text messages between Josh and Dawn:
“I don’t know what I did wrong as a mom. I just wanted the best for my babies,” one text to Josh in early June said.
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Josh Armstrong
In an exclusive interview with ABC13, AJ shared his thoughts on the defense’s claims about his brother Josh murdering their parents.
He shared his love for Josh. However, he admitted that from the time Josh came back from college until two years ago, everyone in the family was afraid of him.
AJ revealed that Josh’s suspicious behavior prevented him from being around AJ’s son. His actions only intensified after their parents’ deaths.
AJ said that while Josh could be responsible, he does not believe his brother committed the murders.
AJ Armstrong Update
AJ and his supporters maintain that the state made up evidence. They planted Antonio Sr’s DNA under the nametag on his shirt.
Furthermore, they deliberately withheld crucial information from the jury to secure a conviction. AJ acknowledges making mistakes such as changing his story during initial police interviews.
However, he attributes this to being a frightened and confused 16-year-old unsure of how to respond. He firmly believes the state manipulated the narrative to fit their agenda, leading to his wrongful conviction.
Watch “Savage Grace”
The movie “Savage Grace” is based on the true story of the Baekeland family, specifically the dysfunctional relationship between Barbara Daly Baekeland, a wealthy socialite, and her son, Antony. The film chronicles their lives, highlighting the emotional turmoil and ultimately culminating in Antony’s murder of his mother.
FAQs
Where is AJ Armstrong Jr Now?
AJ Armstrong Jr, 23, is now expected to serve out his life sentence in the Robertson Unit, in Abilene. That’s about a six-hour drive from Houston, west of Dallas. Armstrong could see parole after 40 years, when he’ll be 63 years old. He is currently appealing his conviction.
Was Antonio Armstrong Jr Guilty or Innocent?
After three trials, the first two of which ended in a hung jury, Armstrong was found guilty during his third capital murder trial in August. He was then sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 40 years.
Is AJ Armstrong Married?
Yes, AJ Armstrong is married to Kate Armstrong. They got married in 2017, after his conviction. Kate has been a supportive presence for him throughout his legal battles and imprisonment.
