Tanner Horner Sentenced To Death For Murder Of Athena Strand

Now that it’s been a few days since we heard about Tanner Horner being sentenced to death in Texas it’s interesting to reflect on the case that has garnered so much attention from around the world. Horner was sentenced to death by lethal injection for the murder of Athena Strand.

Tanner Horner Sentenced To Death By Texas Jury

Tanner Horner admitted to killing 7-year-old Athena Strand in November 2022 and has been sentenced to death by a Tarrant County jury. It was almost a month ago when Horner pleaded guilty and admitted to kidnapping and killing Strand before his capital murder trial began, which sent the trial to the sentencing phase.

READ MORE: The Wildest Criminal Trials in East Texas History

Disturbing Evidence Presented During Trial

During the trial, the members of the jury were able to hear disturbing audio of Strand’s abduction and murder taken from Horner’s delivery van. Horner was aware of the camera and covered it before attacking the girl but the device still captured about an hour of audio.

The jury also heard from investigators who interviewed Horner days after Strand went missing, and of the search and recovery of her body.

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Defense Team Argued Against Death Penalty

Horner’s defense team told the jury about the abuse he suffered growing up and mental health challenges in their argument that he shouldn’t receive the death penalty. They said he would no longer be a threat in prison.

There were 19 days of testimony, but it only took the jury two and a half hours to reach their decision.

A death sentence is automatically sent to the Texas Criminal Appeals Court. Since Horner pleaded guilty he faced either life in prison or the death penalty.

Cases like this continue to spark strong emotions across Texas. No child should ever endure what Athena Strand experienced.