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

[Megnut]

Nasty Defense objects to Athena's journal. Her last journal entry.
Oh. No. The topic was stranger danger.

 

[tlcya]

Athena was learning and writing about stranger danger (oh my heart )

 

[tlcya]

on Monday November 20th Athena was at school. States's exh 4 is a drawing from her journal. It features a drawn picture depicting stranger danger and not taking things from strangers.

 

[Megnut]

Her drawing, her writing.

Oh, my soul.

 

[Megnut]

Oh, my heart. Her teacher's last words to Athena (who had been extra talkative at school), "I love you. We"ll have a better day tomorrow."

There was no tomorrow.

 

[Catride]

Homer plead guilty!! Monster !! Sentencing trial

 

[Megnut]

Morning break --

TH knew right from wrong, covered the camera, lied upon lies, I see no reason to afford him any mercy.

 

[tlcya]

this is a new experience for me. watching this trial sentencing thing play out. I am not accustomed to watching something like it. IME the jury handles the guilt or not gult phase of trial and then later deliberates about sentencing. With the guilty plea, I get that they need to hear evidence they would have heard in the guilty or not phase of trial to deliberate properly on sentencing but it is very unusual to see this.

I guess we will see all the testimony and evidence we would have seen had they been charged with determining his guilt but that has already been predetermined thanks to his change of plea. All of the heartbreak of a trial but guilt has already been admitted.

 

[Chelly]

Tanner Horner pleads guilty in killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand, case moves to sentencing phase

Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to the 2022 killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand just as his capital murder trial was set to begin.

www.cbsnews.com

Tanner Horner pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing 7-year-old Athena Strand, abruptly ending what was expected to be an emotional capital murder trial in Tarrant County and shifting the case directly into the sentencing phase, where jurors will now decide whether he should face the death penalty.

After Horner entered his plea, judge George Gallagher ordered a brief five-minute recess. After that, Horner's defense raised concerns about how a good portion of the observers in the courtroom wore pink in support of Strand. Gallagher however, did not see an issue.

The plea was formally entered in front of the jury when they entered, and Gallagher told jurors the trial now moved into deciding his punishment.

 

[tlcya]

we are back. defense wants to object to exhibits being left on the screen after being covered with witness as it may serve to "distract the jury"

Overruled.

 

[Megnut]

Back after break, Defense objected to images of and by Arhena remaining on display.

Overruled.

Judge is firm.

 

[Megnut]

this is a new experience for me. watching this trial sentencing thing play out. I am not accustomed to watching something like it. IME the jury handles the guilt or not gult phase of trial and then later deliberates about sentencing. With the guilty plea, I get that they need to hear evidence they would have heard in the guilty or not phase of trial to deliberate properly on sentencing but it is very unusual to see this.

I guess we will see all the testimony and evidence we would have seen had they been charged with determining his guilt but that has already been predetermined thanks to his change of plea. All of the heartbreak of a trial but guilt has already been admitted.

It must show the Prosecution's conviction for death as the only sentence here.

In other guilty pleas, I've seen where the DP is spared. Judge or the Prosecution must have decided to plow forward.

If ever there was a case for the DP, this one is it.

JMO

 

[arielilane]

BBM

@PrettyLiesAlibi

So they should give Tanner Horner life in prison because his mom was a stripper who drank alcohol , he has Asperger‘s, and he had exposure to lead? Get out of here. There are millions of people on the spectrum who don’t kill seven-year-olds.

​

11:31 AM · Apr 7, 2026

 

[tlcya]

Athena's classmates were very confused after her death. Teacher (Ms. Thompson) describes what things were like in the classroom. The children were aware of how Athena died, having been taken by a stranger.

Thompson thinks of her career as "before Athena" and "after" her. She now wonders each day on dismissing her kids if they will all come back. Several of those students now in fourth grade are still afraid and feeling affects of this Objection - sustained.

Students were provided a mailbox outside the classroom. It was intended to assist the children in their grieving process. Thompson and her husband made it and placed it outside the classroom in the hallway. It was meant to give the children an opportunity to write to Athena, or write out their feelings as they processed her loss.

The mailbox received a lot of letters, drawings, and then was moved inside the classroom. Eventually it became a sad reminder of Athena. It was then moved up to the front office. Thompson guesses over a hundred letters were placed in it.

 

[arielilane]

@PrettyLiesAlibi


Photo of Athena Strand not long before her murder.

 

[Megnut]

TH's attorney is very soft-spoken. I'm glad. Barely hearing him is bad enough.

 

[tlcya]

defense cross of teacher Ms. Thompson.

re journal entry, the date on that journal was October 22nd but Thompson hadn't really seen or noticed it or found it particularly heartbreaking until after her murder. Athena was friendly and talkative. Had she befriended a new student recently. He had some special needs. She opened her arms to him, played with him, had a big heart.

State does not redirect. Witness excused.

 

[tlcya]

next witness is Elizabeth (Ashley) Strand.

oh Man, not ready for this.

 

[tlcya]

state laying groundwork w witness, where home was located, the long drive leading to the home. Their house sits way back off the main road, the drive to get to house is quite some distance.

 

[tlcya]

I like Ashley Strand she is shooting daggers from her eyes every time defense objects to something. I mean white hot fiery daggers.