Jurors Sob as Murdered 7-Year-Old Athena Strand’s Final Moments Are Played in Court
Jurors reportedly wept and family members left a Texas courtroom on Thursday as video played showing the disturbing final moments of Athena Strand, a 7-year-old girl who was kidnapped and killed by a FedEx driver in 2022. The emotional scene unfolded in Wise County, near Fort Worth, as the court heard evidence in the case against Tanner Horner, who has pleaded guilty to the murder and now faces the possibility of the death penalty.
Graphic Video Captures Horrifying Kidnapping
In the video clip, Strand can be heard asking Horner, "Are you a kidnapper?" according to reports. Horner, 34, is then seen driving to Strand's home in the town of Paradise to deliver a package, before the child is lifted into his delivery truck and driven away. The footage captures Horner telling Strand to sit down and not scream or else he would hurt her, prompting several family members to leave the courtroom during this portion of the tape.
Later in the recording, Strand asks where they are going, to which Horner responds that it doesn't matter, before covering the camera inside his truck. Horner is reportedly heard telling the 7-year-old to take off her shirt, as she says "no" and asks for her mom. The video continues with a prolonged period of banging, screaming, and crying, painting a grim picture of the child's final moments.
Courtroom Warned of Disturbing Content
Prior to playing the recording, Judge George Gallagher warned the courtroom about the graphic nature of the clip. "If you think you cannot watch it or listen to it, leave now. Now's your time to get out," he said, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. Strand's parents, Jacob Strand and Maitlyn Gandy, left the room before the video was played, and a TV feed showing the proceedings was temporarily disabled as jurors listened to the sensitive footage.
Prosecution Rests Case as Defense Prepares Arguments
State prosecutors rested their case on Thursday, after Horner pleaded guilty last week in a surprise move shortly before the trial was set to begin. The jury will now consider whether to side with prosecutors and give Horner the death penalty or life in prison. Horner claimed to police that he accidentally hit Strand with his truck and then killed her in a fit of panic, taking investigators to where he left her body, according to his arrest warrant.
However, prosecutors allege Horner was lying about what happened. "The only truthful thing that Tanner Horner told law enforcement was that he killed her," Wise County District Attorney James Stainton said during opening arguments. Horner's defense has asked jurors to give him a life sentence, with his attorney stating that the 34-year-old is autistic and had suffered from fetal alcohol exposure, lead exposure, and mental illness. "When someone's brain is what's injured, you don't see it," attorney Steven Goble told jurors. The defense is expected to begin presenting its arguments next Wednesday.
