Jury reaches verdict in Tanner Horner's murder trial sentencing

After weeks of testimony, much of it graphic, intense and emotional, a Tarrant County jury sentenced Tanner Horner to death for the 2022 kidnapping and murder of Athena Strand.

The verdict came less than three hours after deliberations began on Tuesday morning.

In closing arguments, Wise County District Attorney James Stainton told jurors that the only just outcome of the trial is the death penalty. Horner's defense attorneys argued that he should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

Horner was working as a FedEx delivery driver when, on Nov. 30, 2022, he went to the girl's home to deliver a package containing a Christmas gift. She was reported missing, and her body was found days later. Authorities tracked down Horner, who initially claimed he hit her with his truck, then he panicked and killed her after she witnessed him doing cocaine.

Prosecutors now say the story was a fabrication. Instead, they allege that Horner abducted Strand and presented evidence that he sexually assaulted her before strangling her.

Horner's defense team has presented evidence of his traumatic childhood and struggles with autism and mental health disorders as mitigating factors in trying to show jurors he should not be sent to death row.

As the trial was about to begin last month, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder for killing 7-year-old Athena Strand. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping.

Before the jury entered the courtroom, Horner's defense attorney moved to take the death penalty off the table given the international media attention the trial has received. She also said the defense team, witnesses and Horner himself have received death threats during the trial. The judge denied the motion.