Memorial for 7‑year‑old Athena Strand unveiled at Bob's Crossing in Wise County
Barbies, cowgirl hats, and handwritten notes surround the cross placed after her death.
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Barbies, cowgirl hats, and handwritten notes surround the cross placed after her death.
Less than a week after a Tarrant County jury sentenced him to death for the 2022 killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand, Tanner Horner's attorney filed an appeal.
A Tarrant County jury sentenced Tanner Horner to death for the 2022 kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand.
Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to the 2022 killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand just as his capital murder trial was set to begin.
The verdict came less than three hours after deliberations began on Tuesday morning.
The defense team closed with Jolie Brams, a forensic psychologist who was asked to evaluate Horner's developmental history.
Tanner Horner is accused of killing 7-year-old Athena Strand after allegedly abducting and strangling her while delivering a package in 2022.
She took a major role in raising Horner due to his mother serving time in jail and drug use.
Day 14 of the Tanner Horner trial featured experts and a jailhouse witness as jurors weigh death or life without parole.
Jurors first heard from a neighbor who described Horner as a bullied child who struggled to fit in.
In this punishment phase of the trial, the defense is trying to humanize Horner for the jury.
Tanner Horner's defense attorneys are trying to convince a jury to spare him from the death penalty.
Mrs. Horner said Tanner had a hard time making friends and was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and ADHD.
Jacob Strand told the jury about his relationship with his daughter and the last moments he shared with her.
Jurors in the sentencing phase of Tanner Horner's trial heard audio prosecutors say captured Athena Strand's final moments.
The video shows Horner driving by Athena Strand's home the day after her murder, getting frustrated that the road was blocked.
Athena Strand's mother, Maitlyn Gandy, took the stand Wednesday afternoon, facing her daughter's killer in one of the most emotional moments of the trial so far.
Horner's letter to the Strand family was apologetic and placed blame for the girl's death on him, but a letter to detectives blamed someone else.
Sgt. Job Espinoza said the detail Horner provided about the van prompted him to start looking for video evidence.
The man accused of the killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand will soon face a jury and could face the death penalty if convicted.
The 7-year-old was abducted from her Wise County driveway and allegedly killed by a FedEx driver. That suspect, Tanner Horner, faces capital murder and kidnapping charges.
November 30 marks 3 years since 7-year-old Athena Strand disappeared from her home in Paradise, Texas.
The Texas House passed an "Athena Alert" bill on May 9, allowing law enforcement to quickly issue a regional alert when a child goes missing without confirmation of an abduction.
Athena's Alert, or House Bill 3556, aims to alert the public about missing children faster.
The former FedEx driver accused of kidnapping and killing Athena Strand has pleaded not guilty to aggravated kidnapping and capital murder.
