Horner Faces Death Penalty in Athena Strand Murder Case

Tanner Horner, a former FedEx driver, is facing the possibility of the death penalty after pleading guilty to kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand in 2022. The sentencing phase of his trial has entered its sixth day, with prosecutors presenting new witness testimony and digital evidence to paint a broader picture of Horner's character.

The prosecution began the day by introducing internet searches made by Horner in the days following Athena's death. According to CBS News, these searches included phrases like 'My fiance's family makes me out to be a demon' and 'Do FedEx truck cameras constantly record?' Digital forensic examiner Scott Morris testified that Horner also searched for 'Paradise missing girl' and viewed multiple photos of Athena, including missing posters. The defense argued that some of these searches could have been made before the murder or were incidental interactions with posts on social media.

Two women testified about alleged sexual assaults by Horner when they were minors. According to CBS News, one woman met Horner through mutual friends in 2013 and described two incidents of alleged sexual assault while she was intoxicated. Another woman, who met Horner at a band show where he performed, accused him of sexual assault after denying any romantic interest in him. The defense challenged the credibility of these witnesses.

Prosecutors also presented phone calls between Horner and his family members. According to Fox News, Horner admitted to his mother that he did not sexually abuse Athena, stating that his medication had reduced his libido. In another call with his grandmother, Horner denied raping Athena but expressed remorse for the situation. The prosecution played these calls to show Horner's lack of remorse and to establish a pattern of behavior.

Horner's defense team has argued that his mental health issues, including Asperger's syndrome and lead exposure, contributed to his actions. According to CBS News, Horner wrote letters from jail expressing remorse and blaming his employer for changes in his delivery route that he claimed worsened his mental state. The prosecution used these letters to show Horner's lack of accountability.

The mother of Athena Strand, Maitlyn Gandy, took the stand Wednesday during the trial. According to Fox News, she testified about her final moments with her daughter before her disappearance and described the emotional turmoil she experienced upon learning of Athena's death. Gandy also detailed how she delivered the news of Athena’s death to her 3-year-old sister, saying that she initially lied to her for a year until she was able to tell her the truth.

The Daily Mail reported that swabs from Athena's sexual assault kit showed male DNA, and blood and semen were detected on Horner's FedEx shirt. Semen was also detected on Horner's hoodie, jeans, and underwear, while Athena's fingernail clippings tested presumptively positive for blood. These findings were presented by forensic expert Jacqueline Ferrara.

Newly presented evidence includes video footage showing Horner cleaning his FedEx van after abducting and murdering Athena. According to The Daily Mail, the footage played in court showed Horner using a large paper roll and a spray substance to wipe down the back of his vehicle with paper towels after killing Athena Strand in November 2022. The deep cleanse went on for several minutes before he returned to the driver's seat and drove off.

Prosecutors have argued that Horner had only been 'truthful' when he told police 'that he killed her.' According to The Daily Mail, James Stainton, the Wise County District Attorney, said in his opening statement that Horner's pattern of lies is extensive. The warrant said Horner took investigators at the Wise County Sheriff's Office to where he'd left Athena's body and claimed an alter ego named 'Zero' had committed the murder.