LIVE | Tanner Horner pleads guilty to killing Athena Strand

FORT WORTH, Texas – More than three years after the death of Athena Strand, the capital murder trial for Tanner Horner began with a guilty plea.

Horner, a former delivery driver accused of kidnapping and strangling the 7-year-old after hitting her with his van in 2022, admitted to her capital murder in a Tarrant County courthouse on Tuesday morning.

The punishment phase of the trial began immediately afterward. Horner still faces a possible death penalty sentence.

FOX 4 will provide live gavel-to-gavel coverage from inside the courtroom for the duration of the trial.

Live Updates

11:40 p.m. Photo shows Athena inside delivery truck

The state presented evidence that shows Athena inside Horner’s delivery truck on the day that she disappeared. Her stepmother told jurors that there was no reason for her to be in that truck, and she did not have permission to be in the truck.

10:50 a.m. Ashley Strand testifies

Athena’s stepmother, Ashley Strand testified about their family’s home in the small city of Paradise, in Wise County. She said they lived in a rural area that didn’t get much traffic.

She recalled cooking dinner with her toddler on the afternoon that Athena disappeared. Athena’s father, Jacob, had gone on a hunting trip. Athena’s older sister was at a relative’s house nearby getting help with homework. Athena was supposed to be in her room doing laundry. But by the time dinner was done, the little girl was no longer in her room.

After searching the property for a while, Ashley Strand called the police.

“I thought maybe she was just hiding somewhere,” her stepmom said.

The only thing she noticed that was unusual or out of place on the property was a package from Walmart containing Barbie dolls that she had ordered for Athena as a Christmas present. It had been dropped off in front of an abandoned trailer that was on the property.

10:30 a.m. Recess

The court is in recess until 10:40 a.m.

10:25 a.m. Athena’s teacher testifies

Paradise ISD teacher Lindsey Thompson was Athena’s first grade teacher. She testified about Athena’s final school journal entry, which was about “Stranger Danger.” Thompson also described Athena as a free spirit who spoke up for herself. She loved to dress up and was excited about school and other activities.

10:15 a.m. Defense gives opening statements

Defense hints at brain damage in opening statements | FULL

Tanner Horner’s defense team gave opening statements on Tuesday morning in the punishment phase of his death penalty trial for killing 7-year-old Athena Strand. The attorney asked jurors to spare his life and hinted that brain damage may have played a role in the offense.

Steven Goble, Horner’s defense attorney, talked about mental illness, lead poisoning, and brain damage while telling jurors they would be asked to spare Horner’s life.

9:50 a.m. Prosecutor’s opening statements

Watch a full video of the opening statements from Wise County District Attorney James Stainton for the punishment phase of Horner’s murder trial. Jurors will have to decide if he should be sentenced to life in prison or the death penalty.

9:40 a.m. ‘Lie upon lie upon lie upon lie’

During opening statements, the lead prosecutor accused Horner of lying about everything except the fact that he killed Athena. He said the story Horner told investigators about hitting Athena with his delivery truck is untrue.

9:20 a.m. Guilty Plea

Once the jury was finally seated on Tuesday morning, Tarrant County Judge George Gallagher asked Horner to stand.

“Mr. Horner, to the charge of capital murder, you may plead guilty or not guilty. What is your plea?” the judge asked.

“Guilty, your honor,” Horner replied.

“Thank you. I will accept your plea,” the judge said.

Athena Strand’s Death

The backstory:

Horner was charged with capital murder for the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand outside her family’s Wise County home on Nov. 30, 2022.

A contract delivery driver working for FedEx at the time, Horner was delivering what was meant to be a Christmas present for the young girl.

Package meant for Athena Strand

Authorities said Horner told investigators he accidentally hit Athena with his van while delivering a package to her home. She reportedly survived, but Horner told authorities he panicked and kidnapped her, later strangling her to death.

Athena was reported missing, and eventually an Amber Alert was issued, leading to 72 hours of searching. She was found dead in Boyd, Texas, not far from her family’s home.

Tanner Horner Trial

What we know:

Tanner Horner, 35, was charged with capital murder of a person under the age of 10 and aggravated kidnapping. He initially pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Now that he has pleaded guilty to both charges, the jury must decide on the death penalty or life in prison.

Pre-Trial Motions

Dig deeper:

Horner’s attorneys have filed several motions on his behalf, leading to multiple delays.

The trial was moved to Tarrant County because defense attorneys successfully argued Horner wouldn’t get a fair trial in Wise County, given the extensive media coverage of the case.

In December, Horner’s defense team asked the judge to throw out police interviews because of a possible violation of his Miranda Rights.

In January, Horner’s attorneys filed 28 additional motions, including one to preclude the death penalty because they claim Horner has autism.

Tanner Horner (Source: Tarrant County Jail)

In March, Horner’s attorneys asked the judge to ban the terms “psychopath” and “sociopath.” Their briefing states the terms are “unreliable due to their overwhelming rate of error, and their lack of acceptance in the relevant scientific community.”