Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder of a child under 10 and aggravated kidnapping. The trial is now in the sentencing phase, with jurors deciding between the death penalty or life imprisonment. Multiple reports indicate Horner is on trial for the murder of Athena Strand.
Tanner Horner abducted Athena Strand from her home in Paradise, Texas, on November 30, 2022. He was delivering a Barbie doll, intended as a Christmas present, when he abducted her. Horner initially told police he accidentally hit Athena Strand with his truck and killed her in a panic.
Don't scream or I'll hurt you.
Police found an image from Tanner Horner's truck camera showing Athena Strand alive in the vehicle, according to multiple reports. Tanner Horner dumped Athena Strand's body seven miles from her home, and it was found two days later.
Jurors were shown grisly images and played audio from inside Tanner Horner's truck during the trial, multiple reports indicate. According to Wise County District Attorney James Stainton, the audio captured Athena Strand's killing, as the camera was covered but audio was still running.
You are going to hear what a 250lb man can do to a 67lb child.
A forensic test revealed a large amount of bodily fluids had been cleaned inside Tanner Horner's truck, according to a forensic crime scene investigator. Crime scene investigator Alise Amey said marks on Athena Strand's face were consistent with the floor of the van. Prosecutors showed images of straps, including a bungee-like cord and looping rope, found inside Tanner Horner's truck, multiple reports indicate.
Prosecutors argued that Tanner Horner concocted a 'web of lies' during the investigation. They also argued that his actions were premeditated because he ensured he had the same FedEx truck each day, according to prosecutors.
Delivery drivers typically bring 'joy and happiness' in their job.
Tanner Horner changed his plea to guilty on the eve of the trial, multiple reports indicate. According to research, his guilty plea abruptly ended what was expected to be an emotional capital murder trial in Tarrant County.
Authorities allege Tanner Horner told investigators that Athena Strand did not appear seriously injured but said he panicked, placed her into his van and strangled her out of fear that she would tell her father what had happened, according to research. Horner was subsequently tracked down through digital evidence that day, research indicates.
The jury would hear and see what 'a 200-pound man can do to a 67-pound child'.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton previously said he intended to seek the death penalty, according to research. After Tanner Horner entered his plea, Judge George Gallagher ordered a brief five-minute recess, research indicates. After the recess, Horner's defense raised concerns about how a good portion of the observers in the courtroom wore pink in support of Athena Strand, but Judge Gallagher did not see an issue with the observers wearing pink.
The plea was formally entered in front of the jury when they entered, and Judge Gallagher told jurors the trial now moved into deciding his punishment. Opening statements were then shared, with the prosecution warning jurors about potentially graphic content, including video and audio expected to last for about an hour.
Prosecutors noted that Athena Strand's body was found in water at BoBo Crossing in Wise County.
What specific mental health diagnoses Tanner Horner has been formally assessed with remains unclear. Whether the audio evidence from the FedEx truck will be made public after the trial is also unknown.
The exact content of the 'web of lies' prosecutors allege Tanner Horner concocted has not been fully disclosed. How the jury is reacting to the graphic evidence presented in court has not been publicly reported.
Whether Tanner Horner's defense will present additional witnesses or evidence during the sentencing phase remains to be seen.