Horner's Sentencing Trial: Expert Testimony Weighs In

0:00The sentencing trial for Tanner Horner, who pleaded guilty to killing seven-year-old Athena Strand, is dragging on longer than expected. The judge is still sifting through expert testimony from the defense before letting the jury hear any of it, which is standard in capital murder cases. Like this. This jury-free phase has already stretched things out for days, and attorneys said Tuesday that a verdict could be at least two weeks away. It's all about making sure the evidence holds up under scrutiny. The defense is painting a picture of Horner's troubled medical and mental health background to sway the jury on punishment. Families and folks following the case are on edge, waiting to see how this personal history plays into the final call. Tuesday brought four more experts into the mix, a psychologist, a university professor, neuroscience specialist, and prison behavior pro. The big one was the psychologist who actually examined Horner. She diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and, and, major depressive disorder.

1:02Juries back Wednesday morning, with the defense eyeing May 4th to wrap their case, closings on May 5th, and a possible verdict that same day, will keep tracking how it unfolds. You've been listening to Dallas News today, AI-powered local news.