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

[tlcya]

defense is now asking about the photos of the cell Defense 35 through 43 are those photos of Horner's cell. They are admitted and published to the jury. (are they going to suggest their client was suicidal because of how he was housed?)

ETA I have no idea what is so interesting in the cell photos but the jury is looking at them for a very long time. The courtroom is very quiet. the witness is released from the stand.

 

[tlcya]

voir dire will be completed for the next witness outside jury's presence.

This witness will introduce some of the state's next exhibits he took photographs or will testify about photographs State's exhibits 160 thru 176 and then 178.

I think he is FBI agent Rogers? Not sure I heard correctly. He was not the one who took the photographs, but was present while being taken. He was tasked for overseeing the CRT team on the scene so he is appropriate to discuss the chain of custody for this evidence.

These photos seem to be of the inside of the fedex truck and of Horner's digital devices maybe, based on the questions asked about them? Having trouble following since we haven't seen these photos yet.

 

[Spectrix]

exh 284 is the detectives ONLY letter. My family is in danger. I'm worried I will be killed. I wasn't the only one involved in Athena's death. And older man pulled a gun on me and took my wallet. The man told me to take the girl to the bamboo spot. Gave me clothes for the girl and told me to change her into the clothes. He threatened my family. (oh my word this is some great fiction) the man took her and I saw him going with her to the creek. the next day I drove by and found her body. I put her body into the water. you can't tell anyone because I need my family to be safe. Then described the mystery man. BTW that man also messed with the cameras on the fedex truck.

FFS that was the best he could come up with. He tells Athena's family he did it and it was fedex's fault. The detective letter there is a mystery man who did and is threatening his and his family's lives.

What the actual?
I mean is this supposed to be Tanner or Zero writing this letter? Or has he given up on pretending to have D.I.D?
This man's brain is like an overfull rubbish dump and any extra thoughts just spill out either through his mouth or in writing.

 

[tlcya]

oh we are getting to the photos from the recovery scene. I believe this is about the body recovery so many of these photos will not be seen by us today, but the jury will be seeing them. It will be another difficult day for those following and for Athena's family.

Defense of course objects to all of these photos because this is not the individual who physically took the photos and so they say he doesn't suffice to testify about chain of custody. (this goes back to the crime scene tech who resigned after fessing up that she lied and did not take the photos of Athena's body herself but allowed an intern to take a couple of them.)

the witness is accepted, jury's objections are overruled. Jury is rejoining the courtroom.

 

[BUF]

What the actual?
I mean is this supposed to be Tanner or Zero writing this letter? Or has he given up on pretending to have D.I.D?
This man's brain is like an overfull rubbish dump and any extra thoughts just spill out either through his mouth or in writing.

He blames it on everything and everyone but himself

 

[tlcya]

Witness is going through the photos one by one that were taken of the fedex truck Horner was in on the day of his arrest and his cell phone and personal property etc that was in the truck at that time.

 

[tlcya]

as they concluded processing the arrest scene they were called to go to the body recovery location.

They team responded by going and setting up staging area on the bridge, a small team of seven individuals were selected to process the scene.

He and six handpicked by him individuals went down to process the scene, everyone was tasked with specific job or fill this or that role. Everyone had a job to do. He was present for the entirety of the body recovery supervising.

states exh 160 thru 176 and 178 (there is no 177)

All of the exhibits are photos and were taken on that recovery scene. Defense of course objects (running objection voiced earlier) and a sidebar takes place.

The photos are admitted and published to the jury one by one. 160 is the river and the bridge they staged upon. the remains were located behind a cement block area along the side of the river.

 

[tlcya]

states 169 is a different angle of the same section of river showing the dirt and rock path down to the river.

 

[tlcya]

He was one of the agents who physically got into the water to retrieve Athena's little body. They wore Tyvek suits and gloves to do so. There were others on the shore prepared to assist in getting themselves and the body out of the river.

 

[tlcya]

next exhibit 170 is Athena's hand barely visible beneath the water.

 

[georgiar]

Is anyone able to access the case docket? Several people have said there is a plea deal and he agreed to no appeals but if DP is on the table, isn't the appeal automatic? What is the purpose of him accepting a plea deal if it has zero advantage for him?

 

[tlcya]

judge calls counsel up to speak with him. I think the stream may end up being paused as we get to the next photos.

 

[tlcya]

173 shows the area that is somewhat flat where Athena's body was laid (she is not visible in this photo)

 

[Megnut]

I appreciate that all these LE use Athena's name when referring to her. Not the victim, not a body, but Athena.

They've shown such care.

 

[tlcya]

exh 174 is Athena's body laying on a body bag (not being shown to public) she is lying faceup. She was very cold to the touch, firm, with the lighting her skin appeared angel like is what he recalls thinking. There were bubbles escaping from her mouth. Trauma was very apparent on her body. Athena's mother is head down, quietly crying in the gallery as this image is shown.

the jury is taking this image in. The courtroom is silent

witness is excused w limited cross and no redirect. Judge decides now is a good time for a break.

 

[Megnut]

"Very appardnt trauma on her body"

That poor baby

 

[tlcya]

once her hands were bagged and they'd taken all their photos she was placed into the body bag and transported to the funeral home which would transport to the medical examiner's office.

 

[Megnut]

Looks like they are passing the sensitive photos to the jurors.

 

[Amster]

Her little hand…..

 

[tlcya]

Is anyone able to access the case docket? Several people have said there is a plea deal and he agreed to no appeals but if DP is on the table, isn't the appeal automatic? What is the purpose of him accepting a plea deal if it has zero advantage for him?

BBM personally I think he wasn't going to be allowed to use the DID defense in the guilt or not phase of the trial and claim his alter ego Zero did it and so the defense hopes that by pleading guilty they can backdoor that suggestion into the sentencing phase of the trial and hopefully garner enough sympathy for their client to save his live.