Texas man sentenced to death for murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand
A Texas jury sentenced former FedEx driver Tanner Horner to death for the 2022 kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, capping an emotional, weeks-long trial in Tarrant County.
TL;DR
- Tanner Horner, 34, was sentenced to death by a Texas jury for the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand.
- Horner had previously pleaded guilty to capital murder.
- Jurors found Horner posed a continuing threat to society and rejected arguments for a life sentence without parole.
- Prosecutors stated Horner struck Athena with his van and then abducted and strangled her out of fear.
- Graphic video evidence and emotional testimony from Athena's parents were presented during the trial.
- Horner's defense cited his troubled upbringing, prenatal alcohol exposure, autism, and mental health issues as mitigating factors.