Overview
- Jurors, who heard the van’s cabin audio on Thursday, broke down as the recording captured 7-year-old Athena asking “Are you a kidnapper?,” Horner’s threats to hurt her if she screamed, and her cries before the judge warned viewers to leave if they could not bear it.
- Court video showed Horner lifting Athena into the FedEx truck, covering the cameras, later buying cleaner at a Love’s travel stop to scrub the cargo floor, stashing her clothes in his backpack, and returning the next day acting surprised when told a girl had been taken.
- The medical examiner testified Athena died from blunt force injuries, smothering and strangulation, while prosecutors pointed to DNA under her fingernails and other findings to argue she fought back and that Horner planned the abduction.
- Athena’s mother described her last words to her daughter in earlier testimony, and her father urged jurors to “make the right decision,” saying the loss drove him into grief, insomnia and heavy drinking that strained his marriage.
- Prosecutors have rested their case, and jurors will next hear the defense seek life without parole with mitigation that includes autism and developmental issues before deciding between death and life in prison.