GUILTY TX - Athena Strand, 8, Abducted & Murdered by FedEx Contract Driver, Tanner Horner, Paradise, 30 November 2022 #2

[tlcya]

Ranger Espinosa is still on the stand for the state this morning.

They had indulged Horner's "Zero" persona for hours at this point in the narrative. The ranger played along in order to continue receiving Horner's cooperation, he had to continue to maintain the rapport he had developed with the defendant.

Horner asked to speak to Espinosa on December 7th. Thus far, in previous interviews, Horner had told several different versions of events of that day to LE as to what happened to Athena and two differing version about what happened to her body.

At some point in the interview after they located Athen's body Zero stepped back and "tanner" showed back up again. Espinosa asked to speak to "Zero" again because thus far "zero" is being the most forthcoming. Tanner continues to blame everyone but himself.

 

[Chimera]

Thanks everyone for the updates.
Why are they not charging Tanner with SA ?
Considering his past charges, one would assume he did the unthinkable to little Athena.
The autopsy should have shown what happened.
Have followed this case from a distance due to it being a child homicide and tbh -- they are the worst cases.
A living breathing precious human being who barely began her life.
Cannot say what I'm thinking.
Imo.

 

[tlcya]

Espinosa travelled to the jail on December 7th at Horner's request. It became apparent to Espinosa that he'd been called there because Tanner wanted to cut a deal now that Athena's body had been found. "Zero" describes Athena struggling as he tried to strangle her, she kicked, she defecated herself. He described throwing her clothes all over the highway.

 

[tlcya]

Thanks everyone for the updates.
Why are they not charging Tanner with SA ?
Considering his past charges, one would assume he did the unthinkable to little Athena.
The autopsy should have shown what happened.
Have followed this case from a distance due to it being a child homicide and tbh -- they are the worst cases.
A living breathing precious human being who barely began her life.
Cannot say what I'm thinking.
Imo.

I am curious to know as well, hoping if and when we get to the physical evidence (DNA referred to by prosecutor as being where no 7 year old should have it) it will become more clear if rape occurred and if so why no charges reflecting that.

 

[tlcya]

Horner told Athena they were going on a ride. She asked him if he was a kidnapper. He says he told her no.

 

[Niner]

Was/is that Joe Espinoza on the stand & "what" & where is this interview taking place? TIA!

 

[tlcya]

Was/is that Joe Espinoza on the stand & "what" & where is this interview taking place? TIA!

It is still Ranger Espinosa testifying and this is the third in custody interview at sheriff's office, at Horner's request. When you see them outdoors they have stepped outside to allow Tanner to smoke.

 

[Niner]

Was/is that Joe Espinoza on the stand & "what" & where is this interview taking place? TIA!

Never mind - I see posts above - forgot to refresh!

 

[joe jones]

Was/is that Joe Espinoza on the stand & "what" & where is this interview taking place? TIA!

Job is still on stand, interview is outside jail first when they return from finding Athena and then inside jail

 

[joe jones]

Job not wanting to sit next to defendant now he has found and seen Athenas body

 

[tlcya]

Another LEO (not Espinosa) is now in the interview room w Horner asking about where he showers and uses the bathroom at his home. He does so at his grandmother's [? I think I heard that correctly?]

Have you told us everything? Horner - Huh? Have you told us everything? Is this Zero? Horner - no it's just me. Tanner claims to be flabbergasted because he was "in the backseat" watching Zero talk to them

 

[tlcya]

Horner is a very bad actor. MOO

 

[joe jones]

I am loving the hats the Rangers wear

 

[tlcya]

Tanner is now alone in the interview room head down on the table clutching a water bottle in his right hand. Can't tell if he is sleeping but he is still. Not sure how long this portion will last, wish we could fast forward.

 

[Niner]

Tanner is now alone in the interview room head down on the table clutching a water bottle in his right hand. Can't tell if he is sleeping but he is still. Not sure how long this portion will last, wish we could fast forward.

I am making dinner - and came back to him sleeping - I was wondering what the heck - fast forward!!

 

[tlcya]

LEO's are back, they wake Tanner up to ask his password to phone, he tells them 1561. He asks to talk to Cassie and they say they will arrange that and he should get some rest while they do so. He tells them it is in his phone he doesn't know the number by heart. They should be able to find it under his recent calls.

 

[tlcya]

I think that is Athena's bio mom with the bright pink hair and striped pink blouse. Love it. Yesterday her hair was blond with faint pink highlights.
-----
Espinosa testifies that he knows Tanner lied about Athena being clothed and still had her underpants on. He has see Athena's body and it was nude. The pants were found at his residence, thrown in the trash. When asked why he removed her clothing, he said it was about humiliation and that it was funny (defense objected to that characterization but judge overruled)

Video evidence will show that is a lie. The next video we will see is about two hours in length. Tanner had requested to meet with Espinosa. On December 7th it was 5 days after Athena has been found. He wanted to cut a deal.

 

[joe jones]

another two hour interview coming up, Tanner requested to speak to Job, after he was arrested, 5 days after she was found, 7 days after murder, to "cut a deal" as Job says

 

[tlcya]

the deal Tanner wanted to cut: he wanted his freedom with ankle monitor so he could spend Christmas with his family and he would fully cooperate. Espinosa could not agree to that, in his role as a ranger he cannot make deals and told Horner that couldn't happen. Tanner says hell tell them everything if he can have Christmas with his son.

Espinosa asked more about why and what happened to Athena. Each time Tanner would take things back to this proposed deal of his. The back and forth went on for a while like this.

later in the interview they discussed Tanners family history. Towards the end discussion turns to the whole "Zero" thing. Tanner never takes responsibility for what he did. When asked if he has remorse he does not express any remorse. He never says he is sorry for what he's done. When asked if he wanted to say anything to the family he said he wanted to give him a hug.

 

[tlcya]

had to take a client call and apparently we are on a break.