A former FedEx driver has pleaded guilty to the capital murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand during a trial in Tarrant County, Texas. Tanner Horner’s plea was made on Tuesday, 7 April 2023, and he now faces the possibility of either the death penalty or life imprisonment.
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Judge George Gallagher presided over the proceedings, where Horner responded affirmatively when asked about his plea. “Guilty, your honour,” he stated, prompting Judge Gallagher to acknowledge the plea. Following this admission of guilt, jurors will now determine the severity of Horner’s punishment.
The case stems from the tragic events of 30 November 2022, when Athena was reported missing from her home in Boyd, Texas. Her body was discovered two days later, approximately nine miles away. The police affidavit elaborated on Horner’s account, which he provided post-arrest. He claimed he accidentally struck Athena with his delivery vehicle while reversing. In a state of panic, he alleged that he placed her in the van, and ultimately, strangled her for fear she might disclose the incident to her father.
Contrary to Horner’s narrative, evidence presented during the trial painted a different picture. Jurors viewed a photograph showing Athena alive and active in the back of Horner’s vehicle. Wise County District Attorney James Stainton pointed out the inconsistencies in Horner’s statements, describing them as a “web of lies.” Stainton highlighted that the only truthful assertion made by Horner was that he had taken the young girl’s life.
During the proceedings, Stainton detailed the immediate threats Horner purportedly made to Athena after abducting her, which included threats to harm her if she screamed. Additionally, forensic evidence presented at the trial indicated that Horner’s DNA was found under the child’s fingernails, suggesting a struggle, and in places where it should not have been found on a child.
In an effort to mitigate the severity of the charges, Horner’s attorney, Steven Goble, informed the jury of his client’s mental health struggles. He stated that Horner had been diagnosed with autism and various mental illnesses, attributing these issues to his mother’s substance use during pregnancy as well as exposure to lead in his childhood environment.
Testimonies during the trial included emotional accounts from Athena’s stepmother, Elizabeth Ashley Strand, who recounted the moments leading up to the child’s disappearance. She revealed that a delivery of Christmas gifts was made by FedEx on the same day Athena went missing, underscoring the proximity of events that led to this heartbreaking case.
On 16 February 2023, Horner was indicted on charges of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder, to which he initially pleaded not guilty. His subsequent change of plea has now shifted focus to the sentencing phase, as jurors are tasked with deliberating potential penalties.
As this trial continues to unfold, the community watches closely, grappling with the tragic loss of a young life and the disturbing circumstances surrounding the incident. Jurors are expected to resume their deliberations, with a verdict anticipated on the consequences Horner will face for this heinous crime.