A jury in Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas, has sentenced former FedEx driver Tanner Horner to death for the murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand. The unanimous decision was reached on Tuesday after more than two weeks of trial proceedings.
As reported by NBC, State Judge George Gallagher ordered that the 34-year-old Horner be executed by lethal injection "before the sun rises" at the Huntsville State Penitentiary, Texas, although the exact date has yet to be determined.
Horner had pleaded guilty on April 7, just as the trial for capital murder of a child under 10 years and aggravated kidnapping was beginning.
The crime took place on November 30, 2022, when Horner arrived at the Strand family's home in rural Paradise, Wise County, to deliver a package containing a Christmas gift.
Horner confessed that he accidentally struck the young girl with his van while reversing, panicked, and decided to abduct her to prevent her from telling her father.
Evidence reveals that he placed the living child in his vehicle. FedEx truck cameras caught him telling the girl "Don't scream or I'll hurt you" on two separate occasions.
Less than an hour later, he strangled her with his bare hands.
Athena's body was discovered two days later, approximately nine miles from her home. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma, suffocation, and strangulation.
Horner's DNA was discovered on the victim's body, and Athena's DNA was found under Horner's nails, indicating the child's physical resistance.
To impose the death penalty, the jury had to conclude that Horner posed a "continuous threat to society" and that no mitigating circumstances justified life imprisonment. The panel affirmed both conditions.
The defense cited six diagnoses as mitigating factors: autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder due to fetal alcohol exposure, recurrent major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and motor tic disorder.
Defense attorney Susan Anderson noted that Horner's mother used heroin and alcohol during her pregnancy. "Tanner's problems began before he was born," she argued, pleading for clemency in her final statements.
However, the defense's own experts conceded that none of the diagnoses directly caused the crime or prevented Horner from distinguishing right from wrong. Additionally, three previous charges of sexual assault against minors from 2013 and 2014, unrelated to the Strand case, surfaced during the trial, further highlighting the defendant's dangerous profile.
Wise County Prosecutor James Stainton argued that the death penalty should be reserved for the most extreme cases, but Horner deserved it. "Tanner Horner is why parents hold their children a little tighter. He is why kids are afraid to play outside," he stated.
Horner stood emotionless as the judge read the verdict. An automatic appeal was filed immediately, and an attorney will be appointed for that process.
Athena's uncle, Elijah Strand, addressed the convicted directly in court. "Athena was more than a headline. She was laughter, curiosity, kindness, and innocence. She had dreams she will never chase, birthdays she will never celebrate, and a life she will never live because of your actions," he declared.
Looking straight at Horner, Strand added, "I want you to know that you are nothing. You are a footnote in Athena's story. Her name will be remembered forever, her name will be celebrated forever, and you will be forgotten."
Details on Tanner Horner's Death Sentence
What led to Tanner Horner's death sentence?
Tanner Horner was sentenced to death for the murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand. The jury concluded he posed a continuous threat to society, and no mitigating factors justified a life sentence.
What evidence linked Horner to Athena's murder?
Horner's DNA was found on Athena's body, and her DNA was discovered under his nails, indicating she physically resisted him. Additionally, cameras in his FedEx truck captured him threatening her.
What arguments did Horner's defense present?
The defense cited Horner's mental health issues, including autism spectrum disorder and depression, as mitigating factors. They also mentioned his mother's substance abuse during pregnancy.