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

[BUF]

Horner’s mother broke down in tears when the defense began asking her about Athena’s murder.

"Are you angry with Tanner," the attorney asked.

"I’m so mad at him. I want to just tear his eyes out," she cried. "She was just a baby."

"Mrs. Horner, in spite of everything you know about this case, do you still love your son?" the defense asked.

"Of course I love my son," she said. "I don’t love that he did that, though."

Tanner Horner Trial Day 9: Tanner Horner's mother testifies for his defense

The defense begins its case in Day 9 of the Tanner Horner sentencing trial, calling expert witnesses to testify about the defendant's mental health and childhood history in an effort to avoid the death penalty for the 2022 murder of Athena Strand.

www.fox4news.com

They’re back…..

 

[Dotta]

DBM

 

[browneyes]

MH ( Mother) asked for a brief break before cross exam. Judge agreed.

Thank you. I haven’t been able to watch. I’m getting my granddaughter, who was born the same year as Athena , from school. Thank you all for the updates!

 

[tlcya]

That statement - we fought in front of him - feels like self searching in your own guilt as a parent. What did I do to create this. I’m not watching just what was reposted here.

Wild that she can be hidden

I am sure she's had a lot of time to reflect on how her choices may have affected how the defendant developed, or didn't as the case may be. She may feel a great deal of guilt. I don't dispute that. But her wanting to be hidden while also testifying on behalf of him in hopes of gaining him mercy feels wrong. Her testimony IMO is her trying to assuage her guilt. "I wear my shame like a badge" Except when she's in court I guess.

While I am usually one who wants to understand the whys of what creates the monsters we discuss here, in this case, I simply don't care what created him. He is what he is. None of this mitigates and demonstrates he is deserving of the tiniest modicum of mercy in my mind and after having watched this trial, I hope he gets the DP.

 

[RaspberryMama]

Really? We are protecting mom Horner's identity on the stand? For what flippin reason? She is comfortable defending the indefensible she should be comfortable doing it publicly.

She asks if the courtroom can refrain from the attorney or herself using the names of the relatives she is discussing. GTFOOH

I understand what you are saying, but I also see her point of view. TH is the one responsible and the one who should be punished. But there are people out there who will harass her and her family members and that really isn’t ok.

 

[browneyes]

I am sure she's had a lot of time to reflect on how her choices may have affected how the defendant developed, or didn't as the case may be. She may feel a great deal of guilt. I don't dispute that. But her wanting to be hidden while also testifying on behalf of him in hopes of gaining him mercy feels wrong. Her testimony IMO is her trying to assuage her guilt. "I wear my shame like a badge" Except when she's in court I guess.

While I am usually one who wants to understand the whys of what creates the monsters we discuss here, in this case, I simply don't care what created him. He is what he is. None of this mitigates and demonstrates he is deserving of the tiniest modicum of mercy in my mind and after having watched this trial, I hope he gets the DP.

I caught a minute, did she say she needed to go to the hospital after no redirect?

 

[tlcya]

I understand what you are saying, but I also see her point of view. TH is the one responsible and the one who should be punished. But there are people out there who will harass her and her family members and that really isn’t ok.

my logical brain knows these things. My mother's heart does not care if she is harassed. Not particularly proud of it but that is the honest truth.

 

[Walela]

And honestly, who cares what happens to TH in prison? He got himself there and pled guilty to a horrendous crime.

The defense is hoping there is someone other than his mother that cares...maybe even possibly on the jury. I venture to guess there are others that would not want to see TH or any prisoner sentenced to LWOP end up in a vegetative state...not so much out of kindness but more to the financial aspect.

 

[browneyes]

I understand what you are saying, but I also see her point of view. TH is the one responsible and the one who should be punished. But there are people out there who will harass her and her family members and that really isn’t ok.

She isn’t the first nor last parent of a defendant to testify. The extra treatment bugs me.

 

[RaspberryMama]

I am sure she's had a lot of time to reflect on how her choices may have affected how the defendant developed, or didn't as the case may be. She may feel a great deal of guilt. I don't dispute that. But her wanting to be hidden while also testifying on behalf of him in hopes of gaining him mercy feels wrong. Her testimony IMO is her trying to assuage her guilt. "I wear my shame like a badge" Except when she's in court I guess.

While I am usually one who wants to understand the whys of what creates the monsters we discuss here, in this case, I simply don't care what created him. He is what he is. None of this mitigates and demonstrates he is deserving of the tiniest modicum of mercy in my mind and after having watched this trial, I hope he gets the DP.

She isn’t hidden from the jury. I assume she has concerns about harassment. She didn’t commit the crime and she is publicly testifying before the jury. They are the ones who matter. We really don’t have a right to see her, and the judge didn’t have to allow cameras in the courtroom at all.

 

[tlcya]

TH great aunt is now taking the stand. I don't think I am up for this part of the trial. Having a hard time listening to these people because nothing they say is going to change what I think about this crime, the perpetrator or what his sentence should be. It is only serving to infuriate me.

 

[tlcya]

She isn’t hidden from the jury. I assume she has concerns about harassment. She didn’t commit the crime and she is publicly testifying before the jury. They are the ones who matter. We really don’t have a right to see her, and the judge didn’t have to allow cameras in the courtroom at all.

again. I get it. Doesn't mean I have to like it.

 

[shotgun09]

Great Aunt " Dottie" is now up on the stand. No last name given.... Blurred on screen.

 

[tlcya]

Will stop in later this evening for updates because this is a time and emotional energy suck that I cannot stomach. Not today.

 

[browneyes]

Will stop in later this evening for updates because this is a time and emotional energy suck that I cannot stomach. Not today.

Me too.

 

[Leilei]

Thank you. I haven’t been able to watch. I’m getting my granddaughter, who was born the same year as Athena , from school. Thank you all for the updates!

Give her extra hugs today <3

 

[RaspberryMama]

TH great aunt is now taking the stand. I don't think I am up for this part of the trial. Having a hard time listening to these people because nothing they say is going to change what I think about this crime, teh perpetrator or what his sentence should be. It is only serving to infuriate me.

It’s hard as a mom to see from any perspective but the bereaved mother’s. I feel that way too. But I am not unsympathetic towards anyone except the actual perpetrator of the crime. I don’t give a d**n about him. But we can’t ask a mother to hate her child. And, to make another point, we want the defense attorneys to do their absolute best. We don’t want anything to give him a chance at appeal, which would potentially put Athena’s family through this all over again.

 

[Scatcat]

As a child of an epilepsy sufferer/ abuser and a drink I've never felt the urge for anyone ever

 

[shotgun09]

So wrapping up Dotties testimony. TH when he was little, jumped on the beds. And Dottie wanted to slap him upside the head, but.....no one did anything. And, TH continued to jump on the bed. MMmmmkay ???

goodness

 

[Scatcat]

As a child of an epilepsy sufferer/ abuser and a drunken father I've never felt the urge to be an abusive a hole