TEXAS – In a newly released podcast interview, Antonio “AJ” Armstrong Jr. expressed gratitude to God for allowing him to experience prison.
“I tell people, I thank God for it because, for some people, that might not make sense to say ‘I’m glad that I came to prison,’ but I thank God that I’ve been able to have this experience and grow in my relationship with him,” AJ said.
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The now 26-year-old has been incarcerated for more than a year after being found guilty of murdering his parents, Dawn and Antonio Sr., at their family’s southwest Houston home in 2016.
In August 2023, AJ was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years. This life sentence was handed down during AJ’s third trial, as the first two trials ended in mistrials and garnered national coverage.
Dressed in an all-white prison uniform, AJ spoke with Mike Barber of Mike Barber Ministries while sitting outside the Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas. Mike Barber is the host of a podcast entitled “The INSIDE Podcast.” Through his non-profit organization, Mike Barber Ministries, he aims to bring hope to those who are incarcerated. The CEOs of the organization are Brandon and Kristen, pastors of Hope City Church in Houston. The non-profit spent three days inside AJ’s unit, providing them with gospel services and more.
Under a white tent, AJ spoke mostly about his devotion to Christ and how being in prison has strengthened his faith.
“It took coming to prison and getting from ‘I’m doing this because my parents made me,’ to now, ‘Man this is my personal relationship with Christ,’ AJ said during the 11-minute podcast entitled The Inside Podcast. ”I would say that as much as I’ve been a believer my whole life, I really began to know him for myself and act in that relationship when I came to prison."
AJ described his time in prison as “life-changing,” expressing that he feels more “free” in prison than he did in the free world because of his growing relationship with God. Although he has his faith, AJ said he’s still fighting for his freedom.
“I have a petition that I wrote over my life, and my case, and my situation,” AJ said.
He is still claiming his innocence. During his first prison interview with KPRC 2 News, AJ spoke out for the first time publicly since being sentenced.
He confessed, “I didn’t kill my parents. I would say falsely convicted because I don’t believe the conviction that took place was the result that should have happened. It should have been either another hung jury or not guilty verdict. There’s no way ever I would have in a million years imagined being here. But here I am.” AJ said during our interview.
Despite his positive attitude and claims of innocence, one aspect of AJ’s life is drastically changing. His wife, Kate Armstrong, who has publicly supported him in his fight for innocence since 2016, confirmed in an Instagram post that she and AJ are getting a divorce.
Under the Inside Prisons post, Kate wrote “#FREEAJARMSTRONG.” Another person responded, asking her why she was divorcing him, and Kate responded, “We love each other so much. Life is complicated, but we trust in God.”
AJ remains positive, ending the podcast with a prayer and encouraging words to those in similar situations to his.
Last year, AJ requested a special hearing in his case after a key forensic analyst who handled blood evidence during his trial was terminated due to the quality of her work.
