A Texas jury will hear more testimony on April 23 that defense attorneys hope will convince them to spare the life of a former FedEx driver who admitted to kidnapping and killing a 7-year-old girl after delivering what would have been her Christmas gift.
Tanner Lynn Horner pleaded guilty to the murder of Athena Strand at the start of the trial. Prosecuting attorney James Stainton said Horner was delivering Barbies to Athena's home in Paradise, a town of fewer than 500 people about 60 miles outside Dallas, when he abducted her in late November 2022.
Stainton said Horner attacked Athena in his FedEx truck and she fought back for about an hour. He said Horner covered the camera, so there is no video of the killing, but shocking audio of the incident was reportedly played for the jury on April 16.
After the state rested its case, jurors returned to court to hear from witnesses for the defense, including Horner's mother, before making a sentencing decision. Horner faces either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Defense attorney Steven Goble acknowledged that the "evidence is overwhelming," but urged jurors to sentence Horner to life in prison in his opening statement.
