Is Family Influence Helping Alleged Texas Killer Kelly Armstrong Avoid Justice?

Kelly Armstrong accused of killing his wife, Autumn

Kelly Armstrong Arrest Photo

Navasota, Texas

Down in Texas, in the small town of Navasota, more than a few of the ‘local folk’ are expressing their outrage after a woman was found dead early Monday morning.

Navasota police discovered 40-year-old Autumn Armstrong dead in her home following an alleged 9-1-1 call from the woman’s husband. Investigators say that Kelly Armstrong, 43, told dispatchers he had shot his wife while he was asleep. Other reports, from neighbors, place the sounds of gunfire as early as 10:30 p.m. However, police believe the shooting occurred around 3:15 a.m. Autumn Armstrong’s body was discovered by police before 5:00 a.m.

Later in the day, as further details began to emerge, Grimes County District Attorney Tuck McLain announced that there were no suspects and no warrants had been issued, but that Armstrong’s body was sent for an autopsy in Dallas. Investigators also confirmed that Armstrong’s husband, Kelly, and the couple’s young son were in the house at the time of the shooting. The couple was planning to finalize divorce proceedings on the day the murder occurred. The couple also had a daughter who is in college.

On Tuesday, an arrest warrant was issued for Kelly Armstrong, along with a charge of first-degree murder. Grimes County Justice of the Peace John LeFlore set his bond at $150,000. The man’s attorney, Billy Carter of Bryan indicated that an agreement had been made with the District Attorney, where Mr. Armstrong would turn himself in around noon on Wednesday. Armstrong and his attorney, Billy Carter, did arrive at the Grimes County Jail on Wednesday as scheduled. Two hours later, after posting bond, Armstrong walked out of the jail.

Following Autumn Armstrong’s death, local social media was infiltrated with Grimes County residents outraged by the timeline following the woman’s death, the scheduled appointment for Mr. Armstrong to turn himself in, the low bond amount and the freedom Armstrong has after posting bond. Mr. Armstrong comes from a well-known, prominent family in Grimes County, a family which includes business owners and attorneys.

Following the social media community outcry on Facebook, Grimes County District Attorney Tuck McLain responded to concerns over the bond amount set for Mr. Armstrong with the following:

"The bond amount recommended by the bond schedule adopted by the district Judges for a 1st degree felony is $20,000.00. Murder is a 1st degree felony. Judge Leflore set the bond at over SEVEN TIMES the recommended amount. The CCP sets five considerations for a Judge to use in setting bonds. 1. bail must be sufficiently high to assure appearance; 2. It may not be "an instrument of oppression"; 3. consider the nature of the crime; 4. the ability of the defendant to make bail & 5. the future safety of the victim and the community. As AB noted above, this case doe4s not qualify for a no bond under the Texas Constitution. My suggestion to many of you criticizing Judge LaFlore is 1. Learn something about what you’re talking about and 2) Figure out how to change the law if you don't like the way it is."

Many residents, however, continue to express their concerns that Armstrong’s family influence is resulting in preferential treatment. The case is set to be presented to a Grand Jury “soon.”

And, about that local social media, the Navasota Examiner removed all information concerning Kelly Armstrong and the murder from their Facebook page a couple of days later. Interesting…