The punishment phase of Tanner Horner’s capital murder trial entered its fifth day on Monday as jurors heard new testimony about the defendant’s background, mental health, and handwritten letters written before a 2023 suicide attempt.
Horner, 34, a former FedEx delivery driver, pleaded guilty on the first day of trial to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in the November 30, 2022, death of 7-year-old Athena Strand, who was abducted around 5:45 p.m. in the 200 block of County Road 3573 in Paradise, Texas, as The Dallas Express reported.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty; the defense is asking for life in prison without parole. Horner admitted he kidnapped the girl while delivering a package to her rural Wise County home and later strangled her. Her body was found after a 72-hour search and an Amber Alert.
Jurors on Day 5 viewed letters Horner wrote while in jail prior to his May 2023 suicide attempt. In a letter addressed to Athena’s family, Horner stated: “I want to start out saying how sorry I am about Athena,” referred to her as a “little angel,” expressed hope that his death would ease the family’s suffering, and blamed his autism along with problems at home and work. He wrote, “Just know I have found God through all of this,” and closed with “I love you all and I’m sorry.”
Sgt. Brett Yaro, a crime-scene investigator with the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, testified about evidence collected from Horner’s van and home, reported Fox 4 KDFW.
Jurors were shown photos of Athena’s clothing found in trash outside Horner’s residence, bungee cords and straps recovered from the “abduction van,” and patterns on the van’s floorboards and Horner’s shoes that matched markings on the victim’s face. Graphic photos of Athena’s body were handed directly to jurors.
Earlier testimony revealed Horner had blamed an alter ego he called “Zero” for the crime, The Dallas Express previously reported. He reportedly changed demeanor and rolled his eyes back when switching personalities during interviews. A Texas Ranger obtained additional details by questioning “Zero” directly. Horner had told investigators he did not kill Strand and claimed the story of hitting her with his truck was fabricated.
FBI Agent David Rogers also testified Monday about the search of Horner’s van. The defense is expected to focus heavily on Horner’s mental state and background as mitigating factors in the punishment phase. Horner had asked investigators in one interview to release him from jail for one month so he could spend Christmas with his family, promising to “tell everything” if they agreed.
The trial, which began with Horner’s guilty plea on April 7, is being held in Tarrant County. The Wise County District Attorney will continue presenting evidence on Tuesday. The case has drawn sustained attention across North Texas because of the age of the victim and the circumstances of the abduction during a routine package delivery.
Athena Strand’s family has attended the proceedings.
