Houston teen accused of killing parents back in court Football star Antonio Armstrong and wife were shot in their home

Police investigate a shooting in the 5300 block of Palmetto on Friday﻿. ﻿Dawn Armstrong died at the scene, and her husband, former All-American A&M football player who was briefly in the NFL, died later at Memorial Hermann. Their teen son was arrested. less Police investigate a shooting in the 5300 block of Palmetto on Friday﻿. ﻿Dawn Armstrong died at the scene, and her husband, former All-American A&M football player who was briefly in the NFL, died later ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Houston teen accused of killing parents back in court 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

A teenager accused of killing his parents - former Texas A&M University football star Antonio Armstrong and his wife - appeared in court Wednesday, almost a year after the couple were killed.

Antonio Armstrong Jr., is charged with capital murder, accused of fatally shooting his parents inside their southwest Houston townhome on July 29, 2016.

THE CRIME: Teen son accused of killing ex-A&M football star and wife

Armstrong, who was 16 when the crime occurred, was certified in March to stand trial as an adult.

Juvenile court judge Glenn Devlin, who decided to certify Armstrong to stand trial as an adult, ruled after considering the level of sophistication of the alleged crime, including an attempt at arson to cover evidence and a staged break-in with a note reading, "I have been watching for a long time. Get me."

The teen was arrested when his story about a gun-wielding burglar didn't match the evidence, prosecutors have said.

THE CHARGES: Son of former Texas A&M football player faces capital murder charge

He also considered that police found a crackpipe in Armstrong's room after the shooting, court records show. They also found evidence that Armstrong "practiced" shooting a .22-caliber pistol into pillows before the alleged double murder.

He is charged with capital murder because two people were killed, a capital offense. Under Texas law, he is too young to face the death penalty.

The teen is free on $200,000 bail, set by state District Judge Kelli Johnson.

THE RULING: 17-year-old accused of killing parents will stand trial as adult

Defense attorney Rick Detoto has long maintained Armstrong's innocence.

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