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Horner’s Grandmother Apologizes as Jury Decision Nears in Athena Strand Sentencing

Jurors will soon choose between a death sentence and life without parole.

Overview

  • The defense called Tanner Horner’s grandmother, who told Athena Strand’s parents she was sorry and said the crime has torn their family.
  • The defense expects to finish its witnesses Monday, with closing arguments Tuesday before jurors begin deliberations.
  • A forensic psychiatrist testified that Horner admitted sexually assaulting Athena during a jail evaluation.
  • Jurors have seen video placing Athena inside the FedEx truck and heard medical findings of blunt-force injuries, smothering and strangulation, with DNA that did not exclude Horner.
  • Under Texas law a capital sentence must be unanimous, so one holdout would mean life in prison without parole.