Tanner Horner, a former FedEx driver, pleaded guilty to capital murder on Tuesday for the 2022 abduction and strangulation of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Wise County, Texas, according to reports. The trial's punishment phase began immediately, with prosecutors presenting horrific evidence and the defense citing mitigating factors to argue against the death penalty, according to reports.
Athena Strand was a 7-year-old girl who lived in Paradise, Texas, with her father and stepmother, according to multiple reports. She was abducted and murdered in November 2022, according to multiple reports. Athena was last seen around 5:45 PM on November 30, 2022, according to multiple reports. Elizabeth Strand, Athena's stepmother, reported her missing after looking for her around 6:30 PM, according to multiple reports.
Horner, a contract delivery driver working for FedEx at the time, was delivering what was meant to be a Christmas present for the young girl, according to reports. Horner delivered a box of Barbie dolls, a Christmas present for Athena, to her home on November 30, 2022, according to multiple reports. Authorities said Horner told investigators he accidentally hit Strand with his van while delivering a package to her home, according to reports. Horner initially claimed he accidentally hit Athena with his delivery van while backing up. She reportedly survived, but Horner's subsequent actions led to her death.
A 72-hour search involving over 200 community members was conducted for Athena, according to multiple reports. Investigators focused on Horner after the search failed, according to multiple reports. A SWAT team found items of Athena's clothing, including socks and underwear, in a bin at Horner's home, according to multiple reports.
Athena was a free spirit who spoke up for herself, loved to dress up, and was excited about school and other activities.
Horner later admitted Athena was alive after the incident and said she spoke and told him her name, according to multiple reports. Horner said he panicked, fearing Athena would tell her father and he would lose his job, according to multiple reports. Horner strangled Athena to death in the back of his van. Horner dumped Athena's body beside a country road near a river, about nine miles from her home, according to multiple reports. Horner led Texas Rangers on a wild goose chase before eventually leading them to Bobo's Crossing on the Trinity River near Boyd, Texas, where Athena's body was found on December 2, according to multiple reports.
Evidence at the trial included grisly images and audio from inside Horner's truck, including an hour-long video of the strangulation, according to multiple reports. A forensic test revealed a large amount of bodily fluids had been cleaned inside Horner's truck, according to multiple reports. Marks on Athena's face were consistent with the floor of Horner's van, according to multiple reports. Police found an image from Horner's truck camera showing Athena alive in the vehicle, according to multiple reports.
Athena was naked when her body was discovered, according to multiple reports. Prosecutors indicated there was DNA evidence of sexual assault, according to multiple reports.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton warned jurors they would hear horrific details of the crime, according to reports. During opening statements in the punishment phase, prosecutors told jurors that Horner lied about everything, except the fact that he killed her, according to reports. The story about him hitting her with his delivery truck was a lie, according to the state.
Steven Goble, Horner’s defense attorney, talked about mental illness, lead poisoning, and brain damage while telling jurors they will be asked to spare Horner’s life.
Horner's attorney, Steven Goble, acknowledged the evidence against Horner was overwhelming and terrible, according to reports. Horner's attorney cited Horner's autism, mental illnesses, exposure to lead, and his mother drinking during pregnancy as mitigating factors. Horner's attorney asked jurors to sentence him to life in prison.
The capital murder trial for Tanner Horner began on Tuesday with a guilty plea, according to reports. Horner admitted to the crime in a Tarrant County courthouse before opening statements began on Tuesday morning, according to reports. The punishment phase of the trial is expected to begin immediately, according to reports. Tanner Horner’s defense team gave opening statements on Tuesday morning in the punishment phase of his death penalty trial, according to reports. Once the jury was finally seated on Tuesday morning, Tarrant County Judge George Gallagher asked Horner to stand, according to reports.
Paradise ISD teacher Lindsey Thompson was Athena’s 1st grade teacher, according to reports. Lindsey Thompson testified about Athena's final school journal entry, which was about 'Stranger Danger,' according to reports.
Key unknowns remain about what exactly happened between Horner's delivery and Athena's abduction, as details of the initial encounter are disputed. The full extent and nature of the DNA evidence indicating sexual assault has not been fully disclosed, as it is only briefly mentioned. The specific cause of Athena's death beyond strangulation is unclear, given conflicting accounts about a possible hit-and-run.
The outcome of the sentencing trial and whether Horner will receive the death penalty or life in prison has not been determined. The validity and impact of Horner's claimed mitigating factors like autism, brain damage, and lead poisoning on the sentencing decision remains to be seen.