Overview
- Jurors on Monday were shown letters Horner wrote in jail, including an apology to Athena Strand’s family and a separate note alleging another man forced the abduction at gunpoint.
- The chief medical examiner testified that Athena died from blunt force injuries with smothering and strangulation and described numerous pre-death injuries with no signs of sexual trauma.
- An FBI agent detailed recovering Athena’s body from a creek along the Trinity River and the jury saw photos of evidence from Horner’s van and property, including clothing found near his home.
- Earlier courtroom videos showed Horner switching to an alter ego he called Zero during questioning and asking investigators for a month of release to spend Christmas with his family.
- The punishment phase continues in Fort Worth with the jury to choose death or life without parole, and legal observers say deliberations could start by the end of the week.