FedEx Driver's Trial for Killing Girl

0:00It's April 17th, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Dallas News today. Local news powered by AI. Former FedEx driver, Tanner Horner, is deep into his capital murder trial for kidnapping in killing seven-year-old Athena Strand back in November, 2022. He pleaded guilty right at the start on April 7th, so now the jury is deciding between death or life without parole. Prosecutors wrapped their case Thursday with chilling video and audio of him luring the girl into his delivery van at her wise county home. They showed how he strangled her inside the van and dumped her body in a creek near the Trinity River. Over eight days, jurors heard from Athena's parents, Jacob Strand and Mateline Gandy, plus lead investigator Texas Ranger Joe Espinoza, who testified multiple times. The human toll hit hard, with Athena's mom sharing how loved her daughter was, while earlier testimony revealed Horner claiming voices told him to. Kill and pass accusations of raping two teens years ago, Athena's clothes turned up at

1:02his place, and photos of the van painted a grim picture. Friday, without the jury, the judge and lawyers grilled upcoming witnesses, like prosecution psychiatrist Dr. Michael Arambola, who reviewed thousands of pages in the video. He evaluated Horner's autism spectrum disorder, and its possible role. Key for debating his future dangerousness under Texas law. Once plans to kick off next week with Horner's mom on the stand, weighing mental health as mitigating evidence before jurors deliberate his threat. To society and final punishment.