Judge refuses to release teen accused of killing parents

Courtney Fischer Image
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Teen accused in parents' murders could be released
Questions remain before a judge will release the son of the late Antonio and Dawn Armstrong

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Armstrong family had high hopes the judge would release the teen today, based on his questions at the last court appearance.

VIDEO: Teen charged with capital murder in death of mother, father

Family and friends are mourning the loss of Antonio and Dawn Armstrong.

Attorneys said they planned to ask a judge to release the 16-year-old son of late fitness instructor and former NFL player Antonio Armstrong and his wife, Dawn. The couple was allegedly shot and killed the couple at their home early on July 29.

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The teenager accused in the deaths of his parents faced a judge today. Courtney Fischer reports.

Last Thursday, the judge asked the teen's defense attorneys and grandmother, now his legal guardian, to come up with a plan describing the high schooler's supervision around the clock.

The judge wanted know where the boy would attend school and who would bring him and pick him up.

EXCLUSIVE: Antonio Armstrong's mother speaks out

Antonio Armstrong's mother leads service where he was assistant pastor.

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A teenager charged in the murders of his parents appeared in court today

"He (the judge) gave us very specific instructions. We did absolutely everything he asked and when we went up to talk to him about it he really didn't want to hear about it," said Rick DeToto, defense attorney.

Today, the 16-year-old's grandmother had the plan in her hand but the judge never heard it.

He made his decision first: the boy would stay in jail.

"I can't speak for Grandma but I think she feels disrespected. She was told to do certain things and she did those," DeToto said.

DeToto said he'll keep asking the judge to release his client.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor says he's awaiting DNA test results from the crime scene.

Those results should be in in the next 30 days.

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