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

[tlcya]

If I am a juror I am extremely irritated by this entire day and yesterday. I take it that nobody is going to testify about actual medical and psychological diagnosis specific to Tanner Horner. Just a bunch of generalities. We say our client has X Y and Z. Here is a bunch of witnesses to give information about X and Y and Z but nothing to prove our client has any of them. SIGH

I do agree, as mentioned above, a good deal of this irrelevant testimony is likely to try to gain distance from the audio and the horrific impression that has permanently left on these jurors.

 

[Megnut]

At first I thought this defense was the best they had to work with but......now, I have taken an opposite view and believe there is a good possibility that the strategy is purposefully poor and non-relevant so as to provide TH with grounds for an ineffective counsel appeal. I believe his attorneys know he will be sentenced to death and have prepared for that very thing so they are setting the grounds for the appeal. There have been no records produced to back the defense claims of ADHA, FAS, etc and these witnesses are contributing nothing substantial or relevant when describing his first 2 years of life. The experts aren't really experts and some haven't even spoken with TH. Their claims of 24 times higher lead level with an instrument not approved for use with humans is flat out absurd. Is this because there's nothing there to begin with or is it because what is there has been intentionally suppressed in favor of an 'after-the-sentencing' chance at a sentence reversal?? IDK....what do you think?

I honestly think this is all they could produce.

This witness is describing how TH had a behavior room he could go to, but that he fully mainstreamed.

Defense is trying to extrapolate that, since students with ASD used that breakout therapy room TH did, therefore, he prolly had ASD too.

Without any evidence to support it.

 

[Leilei]

is it just my eyes or is the whole courtroom blurry now

I thought it was just me.

 

[Megnut]

What did we learn today, Kids?

TH might have had an IEP. Due to behavioral issues, period.

JMO

 

[scottishgal]

He was angry with his baby mama for leaving so he went crazy and horrific and completely proved fiancee/ex was right to leave. pls proceed to verdict, judge.

the jury is prob getting angrier at this point than they were when state was presenting

 

[BUF]

Just what were those records that the judge had to review?

 

[RaspberryMama]

I am a little behind and just finished watching the testimony of the oh-so-giddy heavy metal “expert” who uses devices not made for humans… on humans. He thought he was so clever and was trying to be funny, which was so incredibly inappropriate. I would like to tie him to a chair and force him to listen to the audio that the jury heard a week ago.

Surely the defense will rest after today, won’t they? What other absurdities could they possibly have to present?

 

[browneyes]

Mary…..take a breath.

 

[tlcya]

still super confused as to why this and the previous witness Mr. Weeks are blurred? Has anyone ever seen this happen before?

I mean they are professionals, granted who are not being allowed to be presented as "experts" but they aren't any relation to the defendant, aren't victims of the defendant, and yet they are being afforded anonymity?? WTH is this?

I am so confused right now.

 

[browneyes]

still super confused as to why this and the previous witness Mr. Weeks are blurred? Has anyone ever seen this happen before?

I mean they are professionals, granted who are not being allowed to be presented as "experts" but they aren't any relation to the defendant, aren't victims of the defendant, and yet they are being afforded anonymity?? WTH is this?

I am so confused right now.

The defense called them civilian witnesses!?!

 

[Megnut]

HAHAHAHA

First rule of lawyering:

Know the answer before you ask the question.

Defense: did it seem like he came from a stable background?

Witness: yes, it did.

 

[tlcya]

defense exhibit 69 is given to Mary. We aren't told what it is and it hasn't been published where we can see it.

Mary read his records and he had a diagnosis of autism according to her. (then just publish that record??)

ETA
page 49 of defense exhibit 69 is now on screen. Summary and Recommendations:

Tanner is SE student at Azle Elementary School who has been referred for multidisciplinary team assessment as a part of his 3 yr review for SE services. Results of this assessment suggest Tanner continues to exhibit a mild for of Asperger's disorder. His social deficits and lack of appropriate communication continue to be his greatest affected areas. Tanner lacks empathy and has little ability to form friendships. His ability to use language is not impaired but the affective and relational aspects of his communication is significantly below what one would expect. his eye contact is normally very poor and he has possible sensory issues especially in the area of his personal hygiene needs. He is very rigid about change and is more successful when he is on a schedule. In addition, however, Tanner also appears to have emotional deficits that also negatively impact him.

1st BBM - we are aware.

2nd BBM - see it's really all Fedex's fault

3rd BBM - Athena, if she were still alive, could testify to the severity of his emotional deficits. But she isn't so she can't because he tortured and murdered her.

I am with those of you has found the giggling from defense attorney super annoying and inappropriate.

 

[Megnut]

I am a little behind and just finished watching the testimony of the oh-so-giddy heavy metal “expert” who uses devices not made for humans… on humans. He thought he was so clever and was trying to be funny, which was so incredibly inappropriate. I would like to tie him to a chair and force him to listen to the audio that the jury heard a week ago.

Surely the defense will rest after today, won’t they? What other absurdities could they possibly have to present?

TH himself may have a new explanation, not Zero, not cocaine. Maybe sweater ninjas.

Will we hear from him?

I say 99% no but ....

 

[Megnut]

This nonexpert is using her expertise to explain how people might have trouble with eye contact or impulse management or social cues.

Make this stop.

 

[Megnut]

TH not have had a sensory issue which might be a water aversion. Didn't like to shower. Common for boys his age.

Are we done yet?

 

[Megnut]

We are now giving expert testimony about people like TH.

And evaluating him retroactively as ASD Level 1.

Then proceeds to describe all of TH's high functioning skills.

 

[BUF]

Is blurry Mary being paid or doing this voluntary?

She was sent stuff to review?

 

[tlcya]

Is blurry Mary being paid or doing this voluntary?

I sure would like to know the answer to that, and same question about Mr. Weeks, the therapist who has no specific recall of treating TH but "thinks" he did play therapy with him.

These people did not pass muster as experts. Why anonymity? Mr. neighbor guy (state witness) whose daughters may have been victims had he and his wife not been around wasn't blurred. Why are these civilians???

 

[browneyes]

This nonexpert is using her expertise to explain how people might have trouble with eye contact or impulse management or social cues.

Make this stop.

It’s all personal opinion, generally, IMO
Mary better buckle up for cross.
It appears to me the defense found no doctor or expert to excuse TH.

 

[Megnut]

TH had many intervention opportunities many children don't get.

He could have broken the cycle. Instead, he rode it straight to hell.

JMO