Tanner Horner Sentenced To Death For The Murder Of Athena Strand

Tanner Horner, the delivery driver who murdered 7-year-old Athena Strand heard the decision of the jury in a Texas courtroom on May 5. Many true crime followers went online and listened to the live arguments, and were quick to have their say. Read on for more details.

A Fast Verdict

The jury returned their verdict for the death penalty within three hours. While waiting for that, there was a lot of discussion live on YouTube in the live chat. People talked about how Tanner Horner was going to be a threat to any child for the rest of his life.

At the same time, while many of them predicted a death penalty decision, they also spoke about how Texas might actually execute him, but possibly only in 20 to 30 years’ time.

And there’s the thing; you know, a lot can happen in 20 to 30 years. But for now, as the jury unanimously went for the death penalty, the general feeling was one of relief that he’s off the streets and can’t harm another child.

The Awful Details

You probably recall, if you’ve been following the true crime case, that in November 2022, Athena’s parents had ordered her some Barbie dolls for Christmas. Tanner was the delivery man who worked for FedEx.

Unfortunately, he didn’t deliver Barbie dolls in Paradise, a small community in Wise County. Instead, he delivered death. Surveillance footage and audio from inside the delivery van showed Athena inside the truck after she was abducted.

Prosecutors said she could be heard pleading with Horner during the recording.

Monster Or Man?

Ahead of the last days of the court case, Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, had broken down what it would take for the jury to see a monster inside the man who killed Athena Strand.

Clearly, that impression wasn’t in doubt because the death penalty is a serious thing to think about.

Notably, the fast decision cemented the future of Tanner Horner. Horrible evidence was given and the prosecutors argued that Athena suffered a prolonged and brutal attack before her death.

The Excuses Continued

He’d claimed that he took Athena away from her home because he was afraid her dad might hurt him. But, that doesn’t cut it for so many people. And now he’s going to go away and think about it for a very long time before he meets his end. Hardly anyone in the chat was crying about that.

That’s because true crime followers heard that although Horner later covered the van’s camera, audio continued recording and captured Athena’s cries and final moments.

The Autism Argument Failed

In the court, the defense team tried hard to argue that Tanner Horner had a bad childhood. Actually it wasn’t a big surprise because previously the defense team argued that Horner was on the autism spectrum and had developmental and mental health issues dating back to childhood.

In the end, the jurors rejected the argument as a reason to spare him from the death penalty.

Probably you will hear more about that because Tanner will appeal the death sentence. Per Court TV, he requested an appellate attorney before the judge told the sheriff to take him away.

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