FORT WORTH, Texas (Court TV) — The man who admitted to murdering a 7-year-old girl while delivering packages for FedEx watched his family testify about his difficult childhood marked by odd behaviors as his defense began presenting its case.
Tanner Horner walks into court on April 23, 2026. (Court TV)
Tanner Horner, 35, pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a person under 10 years old in the death of Athena Strand. Horner’s guilty plea came on the first day of his trial, which continued as prosecutors seek the death penalty in his case.
After two weeks of disturbing testimony and evidence against the defendant, including a recording from inside the van during Athena’s final moments, the prosecution rested its case. On Wednesday, Horner’s defense began to present its case to the jury…