In a case that has gripped the public for years, AJ Armstrong, the son of former NFL linebacker Antonio Armstrong, has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2016 murder of his parents, Dawn and Antonio Sr. The sentencing comes after three separate trials and nearly seven years of legal proceedings.
AJ, who was just 16 at the time of the murders, was accused of shooting his parents as they slept in their Houston, Texas home. Despite maintaining his innocence, a jury in his third trial found him guilty of capital murder, leading to a mandatory life sentence with the possibility of parole after 40 years due to his age at the time of the crime.
The Armstrong family had long been admired in their community. Antonio Sr. played for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, and the couple were known for their strong Christian faith and dedication to family.
The verdict has left the community stunned, especially after two prior mistrials. Prosecutors argued that the evidence—including a note left at the scene and AJ’s behavior—pointed to his guilt. The defense, however, insisted the case was circumstantial.
Now, with sentencing finalized, the tragic saga has reached a somber close.
