The capital murder trial of a man accused of killing a 7-year-old girl in Wise County last year will be relocated to Tarrant County, according to a judge’s ruling on Friday.
Tanner Horner is charged with the murder of Athena Strand following a package delivery to the child’s home in 2022, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
According to arrest records, Horner admitted to abducting the small girl after allegedly accidentally striking her with his delivery van. He claimed he strangled her out of fear that she would inform her father about the accident. Despite his alleged confession, Horner has pleaded not guilty to both capital murder and kidnapping charges.
Horner’s defense team requested the change of venue, citing extensive pre-trial publicity that they argued could impede the ability to secure an impartial jury in Wise County. During a hearing earlier this week, expert testimony presented by the defense highlighted that local media coverage had fostered a “presumption of guilt” against Horner, per a report from The Wise County Messenger.
Judge Brock Smith of the 271st District Court granted the defendant’s request, noting that Tarrant County was a better choice for the trial than neighboring Jack County.
“The Court finds that a transfer of the case to Jack County is not proper because Jack County has a much smaller population than Wise County and does not currently have court facilities that can adequately facilitate a trial of this case. The Court further finds that Jack County, Texas, also contains similar conditions to those now existing in Wise County that require this change of venue,” Smith said in his ruling.
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton, who presented affidavits from local citizens and counter-testimony from local experts during the hearing, expressed disappointment that residents of Wise County would not have the opportunity to participate in the trial.
“I have always believed that Wise County citizens should hear this case and that our citizens firmly believe in the Constitution and Due Process,” Stainton said in a written statement sent to the Wise County Messenger.
“The affidavits I filed are all from local citizens and local leaders who know Wise County. The testimony from JD Clark and Randy Singleton was compelling. I am very disappointed that our Wise County citizens will not be able to hear this case. Wherever this case is tried, however, my office will continue to seek justice for Athena. This unfortunate change in geography will not change how we handle this case in any way,” Stainton added.
A date for the trial has not yet been set.