Key witnesses included Athena’s teachers, her mother Maitlyn Gandy, and her father Jacob Strand, who spoke about the impact of her death and shared personal memories.

The defense sought a life sentence, highlighting Horner’s autism and mental health history and presenting his alter ego “Zero” to contextualize his behavior.

Background on Horner’s family history, autism, and alleged lack of access to services was presented to argue for leniency, while prosecutors emphasized premeditation and brutality.

Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in the 2022 killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand, moving the case to sentencing where jurors will decide between death or life without parole.

The sentencing phase will determine whether Horner receives the death penalty or a life sentence without parole after his guilty plea to two counts.

During the penalty phase, jurors heard the truck’s audio and watched footage of Horner forcing Strand to undress, exposing manipulative behavior, and the aftermath as he drove away with the girl’s backpack.

Prosecutors rested on April 17, 2026, with the defense case slated to begin later that month as Horner’s fate entered the sentencing phase.

A court revelation noted Horner sang “Jingle Bell Rock” during the murder, with audio capturing Strand’s pleas and his orders to stop screaming; investigators also indicated male DNA in a rape kit, though prosecutors said there was no sexual assault.

In court, security footage from inside Horner’s FedEx truck captured Athena Strand’s final moments, showing her being placed in the truck and Horner attempting to obscure the camera, while an audio recording of the kidnapping and murder played for jurors.

Horner, a former FedEx driver, pleaded guilty in Paradise, Texas, to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in Athena Strand’s death, setting the stage for a death-penalty decision or life sentence.

Authorities say Horner struck Athena with a FedEx truck, panicked, abducted her, and strangled her to prevent disclosure to her father; her body was found in the Trinity River at BoBo Crossing.

Prosecutors allege Horner lied about striking Strand and abducting her, noting a pattern of deception and claiming he killed her to avoid arrest, with the DA detailing a chilling sequence of his statements.