Tanner Horner was sentenced to death by a Tarrant County jury on Tuesday for the 2022 kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand. According to multiple reports, Horner pleaded guilty just moments before his trial began last month, transitioning directly into the sentencing phase where emotional testimony, graphic video, and audio evidence were presented.
Key Takeaways
Tanner Horner was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Texas. The jury deliberated for over two hours before returning the verdict.
- Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to the crime just moments before his trial began last month
- Elijah Strand, Athena's uncle, delivered an emotional impact statement in court
- Prosecutors presented graphic video and audio evidence during the sentencing phase
The jury heard heart-wrenching testimony from both of Strand's parents during the two-week hearing. Prosecutors called numerous expert witnesses to testify about Horner's mental health and medical history, including his mother and grandmother who spoke about his childhood. The defense argued for life imprisonment without parole, but Wise County District Attorney James Stainton told jurors that the only just outcome was the death penalty.
After deliberating for over two hours, the jury returned with a verdict of death by lethal injection. Elijah Strand, Athena's uncle, delivered an emotional impact statement in court, stating that Horner not only took a daughter from this world but also a granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. He emphasized that Horner had robbed his family of safety and peace.
Horner was working as a FedEx delivery driver when he accidentally struck Athena with his truck while backing out of her driveway on November 30, 2022. Panicking, he placed her into his van and strangled her. Two days later, Athena's body was found about nine miles away from her home.
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