A former FedEx driver, Tanner Horner, pleaded guilty Tuesday to the capital murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Texas. The killing occurred in November 2022 after Horner delivered a package to Strand’s home. Prosecutors allege he abducted and strangled the girl, though Horner initially claimed he accidentally struck her with his van and panicked. A jury will now decide whether he faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Key Facts:
- Horner’s Plea: Horner entered a guilty plea to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping during his trial in Tarrant County. He admitted to abducting Strand while delivering a Barbie doll package intended as her Christmas gift.
- Evidence Presented: Prosecutors showed jurors a photo of Athena inside Horner’s FedEx truck, appearing uneasy. DNA evidence, including Horner’s DNA under her fingernails, was presented as proof of a struggle.
- Prosecutors’ Claims: District Attorney James Stainton dismissed Horner’s initial claim of an accidental hit-and-run, stating Horner threatened Athena before killing her. Stainton described the evidence as "horrible" and detailed how Horner’s DNA was found in inappropriate places on the child’s body.
- Family’s Testimony: Athena’s stepmother testified about the search for the girl, whose body was found two days after she was reported missing near Paradise, Texas.
Background Context:
- Horner’s Background: Horner, 34, was a contracted FedEx driver at the time of the crime. He had no prior criminal record before the incident.
- Legal Process: The case entered the punishment phase after Horner’s guilty plea. The jury will weigh aggravating factors, including the premeditated nature of the crime, to determine his sentence.
- Community Impact: The killing shocked the small rural town of Paradise, where Strand lived with her father and stepmother. Her mother, who resided in Oklahoma, was set to take Athena home after the holidays.
Ongoing Developments:
- Jury Deliberations: The jury will review evidence, including video and audio recordings from inside the FedEx truck, before deciding Horner’s fate.
- Legal Precedent: The case highlights the rare use of the death penalty in Texas for crimes involving child victims, with prosecutors emphasizing the brutality of the crime.