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

[Ontario Mom]

I would be interested to know if there are any people who disagree with the death penalty, have changed their mind with this particular defendant.

Many people think that the "State" could have an innocent person on death row. But, in this case, that is not the issue. TH is definitely guilty of killing Athena, with brutality. There is no doubt.

The only problem here, is the lengthy appeal process. Fast track him. No is going to give TH a pardon. Or reverse the death penalty decision.

I am just wondering how long it will take the jury to determine if TH should merit the death penalty.

It happens for sure. It brings to mind the case against Karla Homolka & what she and her rapey husband did to her own little sister and minds were changed big time and they were calling for it.

Once people know for a fact it went down the way the state/prosecution says it did, with the details included, it drastically changes opinions.

In Athena's case, I don't think I've ever seen a case more rock solid, with horrific video/audio evidence to back it up. I'm pretty sure this is a most sickening first of it's kind, in our day.

jmo

 

[kittylala]

I would be interested to know if there are any people who disagree with the death penalty, have changed their mind with this particular defendant.

Many people think that the "State" could have an innocent person on death row. But, in this case, that is not the issue. TH is definitely guilty of killing Athena, with brutality. There is no doubt.

The only problem here, is the lengthy appeal process. Fast track him. No is going to give TH a pardon. Or reverse the death penalty decision.

I am just wondering how long it will take the jury to determine if TH should merit the death penalty.

Yes, I’ve never been in favour of it - mostly because of any miscarriage of justice - also, I think if the convicted were truly left to rot in prison, ie. no tv or radio, no books, just an empty, miserable existence for the rest of their lives, that would be a proper punishment but even that’s too good for this guy. I have very much been swayed by this case and that of Abby & Libby (DP wasn’t on the table - heaven only knows why not). When there is that much evil and irrefutable evidence, then yes I am in favour now.

 

[kaen]

I would be interested to know if there are any people who disagree with the death penalty, have changed their mind with this particular defendant.

Many people think that the "State" could have an innocent person on death row. But, in this case, that is not the issue. TH is definitely guilty of killing Athena, with brutality. There is no doubt.

The only problem here, is the lengthy appeal process. Fast track him. No is going to give TH a pardon. Or reverse the death penalty decision.

I am just wondering how long it will take the jury to determine if TH should merit the death penalty.

I am not pro-death penalty. I don't think I would ever be able to consent to be on a death penalty case. I don't think any prosecutors would want me on their jury in a DP case either as I would not be able to find that the DP is an option. For me it is a sanctity issue rather than mistake issue. That said this monster is inhumane and completely devoid of any value. I am bereft for Athena, her family, the community, and anyone who worked this case.

I will respect what the jurors decide in this case. I do think the sentence will be death given the evidence in this case.

With this defendant pleading guilty, the appeals process would not include the conviction, only the sentencing.

jmho and please don't hate me

 

[mickey2942]

I am not pro-death penalty. I don't think I would ever be able to consent to be on a death penalty case. I don't think any prosecutors would want me on their jury in a DP case either as I would not be able to find that the DP is an option. For me it is a sanctity issue rather than mistake issue. That said this monster is inhumane and completely devoid of any value. I am bereft for Athena, her family, the community, and anyone who worked this case.

I will respect what the jurors decide in this case. I do think the sentence will be death given the evidence in this case.

With this defendant pleading guilty, the appeals process would not include the conviction, only the sentencing.

jmho and please don't hate me

No hate here. My husband also does not believe in the death penalty. He believes it makes everyone as base as the Criminal. Criminals take other people's lives.

Humanity means that "we" as a society should be above this behavior. And that these Criminals are somehow "damaged" and merit mercy.

Can't argue with anyone who truly believes in humanity and grace. He is a much better person than me.

 

[nightowl1975]

At risk of veering too far off topic, I will say this.

People who freeze, dissociate, or are compliant are often judged or marginalised for not fighting. Even if that reaction meant they survived.

We don't get to choose how we're going to react to an assault. Our brain chooses for us. Whether we're naturally timid or assertive, have had martial arts training or never thrown a punch, or have or haven't been assaulted before. Our brain will choose an approach that it thinks will save us. It may even cycle through fight, flight, freeze and fawn until the situation ends, or we die.

MOO

This bears repeating. Over and over again. Our brains choose for us, literally without conscious thought or decision, during an assault. It took years for me to accept this fact.

Everything I thought I’d do? I didn’t do. At all.

Everything I thought I’d NEVER do? I did.

It defied all logic.

But I’m hear to type this post many years later… so at some point over the years, I came to realize that my brain did what it was designed to do. It chose for me the way that was most likely, though certainly not guaranteed, that I’d survive that night. And I did.

But it took so many years to forgive myself for not fighting.

 

[LovesPeace2]

It happens for sure. It brings to mind the case against Karla Homolka & what she and her rapey husband did to her own little sister and minds were changed big time and they were calling for it.

Once people know for a fact it went down the way the state/prosecution says it did, with the details included, it drastically changes opinions.

In Athena's case, I don't think I've ever seen a case more rock solid, with horrific video/audio evidence to back it up. I'm pretty sure this is a most sickening first of it's kind, in our day.

jmo

Yep karla ,Clifford Olsen ,the pig farmer all should of received it. This case is so much worse the proof they have is undeniable. I feel for the jurors hearing what Athena went threw ,I pray the parents and family can heal from this. Even the victoria Stafford case wasn't this awful .just my opinion

 

[panther518]

I’m going to be honest-I don’t think I could sit in that courtroom without at least attempting to get at that piece of trash/waste of oxygen. I just heard the reporters’ summary of the audio. Athena repeatedly asked “what are you doing?” and “ouch”. Everyone at this point needs to know that Athena was fully alert when the SA occurred. He will be called out on his evil, no more sugarcoating what he did. I am not sure how this jury can get through this. It makes me so, so angry. This is one thing our ancestors got right- he would not be alive at this point if this had occurred years ago. A responsible group of adults would have handled him.

I am so disheartened to know that even if he does get the death penalty he will likely have years and years ahead of him with all the appeals process. Sometimes it feels like evil criminals get more rights than victims. I’m just so sick to my stomach. This innocent little girl went through absolute hell by the hands of this demon. Please Lord give all of us and especially Athena’s family comfort, and no human should ever be exposed to this kind of evil.

 

[shonyakay]

I’m going to be honest-I don’t think I could sit in that courtroom without at least attempting to get at that piece of trash/waste of oxygen. I just heard the reporters’ summary of the audio. Athena repeatedly asked “what are you doing?” and “ouch”. Everyone at this point needs to know that Athena was fully alert when the SA occurred. He will be called out on his evil, no more sugarcoating what he did. I am not sure how this jury can get through this. It makes me so, so angry. This is one thing our ancestors got right- he would not be alive at this point if this had occurred years ago. A responsible group of adults would have handled him.

I am so disheartened to know that even if he does get the death penalty he will likely have years and years ahead of him with all the appeals process. Sometimes it feels like evil criminals get more rights than victims. I’m just so sick to my stomach. This innocent little girl went through absolute hell by the hands of this demon. Please Lord give all of us and especially Athena’s family comfort, and no human should ever be exposed to this kind of evil.

I retch thinking about what that poor baby went through. I hope the jurors are given free access to mental health care after this.

Sometimes TRUE crime can be TOO much but we do owe it to the victims and their family's to not look away.

 

[Kale]

Who here has a girl Athena's age? The sweetest, most innocent, playful little creatures. Mine says "I love you" a hundred times a day, and says "Want to be friends?" to everyone she meets. I'm so glad Athena's parents stepped out for the audio. I don't know what decision I would make. It would be hard. I'm sure you feel some duty to "be there" for her final moments if you couldn't really BE there, but the fact is they're stuck here having to keep living, and they need to find a way to do that =( So hard not to picture my sweet baby's bouncy little pigtails reading these awful things. It's so incomprehensible. Just, how could he?

 

[Chelly]

I'm just an old soul addicted to criminal law and trial-watching. I need to admit this trial has affected me like nothing else before it.

Over the years, I've seen images of murdered bodies and autopsies in court. I've seen all sorts of rape and abuse and murdered spouse cases. I'm usually stoic and unemotional to others' pain and suffering.

Athena's kidnapping, abuse and murder has knocked my legs out from under me. I'm not sure that I will be able to stop thinking about her and her family, but for the sake of peace of mind I hope I can.

 

[Poedelini]

Its morning here. Sitting here with my cup of coffee reading back the previous day.
Crying for athena, what she had to endure. I have no words. Only tears.

 

[Niner]

I am just wondering how long it will take the jury to determine if TH should merit the death penalty.

Less than 5 minutes....

I'm just an old soul addicted to criminal law and trial-watching. I need to admit this trial has affected me like nothing else before it.

Totally agree - me too....

Its morning here. Sitting here with my cup of coffee reading back the previous day.
Crying for athena, what she had to endure. I have no words. Only tears.

I have to say the same here.... my God.... thank you ALL for posting what went on.... I know that I really can NOT listen to it.... just reading it made me cry....

I'm all for DP!!

 

[su5ie]

No hate here. My husband also does not believe in the death penalty. He believes it makes everyone as base as the Criminal. Criminals take other people's lives.

Humanity means that "we" as a society should be above this behavior. And that these Criminals are somehow "damaged" and merit mercy.

Can't argue with anyone who truly believes in humanity and grace. He is a much better person than me.

I can see why your hubby would have that mindset . I can tell by that He is a good man .

While I don't come from a country with the DP on the table and would never advocate to take the life of another ,I do believe in an eye for an eye

That belief is only morally acceptable by me though if there is irrefutable evidence that a life was taken by the perpetrator on trial

In this case that evidence is overwhelming and I would take Horners life myself if I was appointed executioner.


And until a tragedy crosses your door like the one we are witnessing here I don't think anyone can truly state that they would agree or disagree with the DP . A moment in Athena's parents shoes would certainly persuade a lot of people to change their moral compass and wish him a painful and slow death by the hands of another jmo

 

[steeltowngirl]

Tanner Horner complaining he can’t get through the street to deliver packages, as searchers were looking for Athena.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2044799756145443048

 

[steeltowngirl]

Recap from yesterday (warning: graphic details)

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article315439216.html

 

[tlcya]

Recap from yesterday (warning: graphic details)

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article315439216.html

I am glad we have this little break from trial. This thing has been so fraught with horror and sadness for everyone following I think we all needed this brief pause, especially after yesterday.

 

[crussell821]

Who here has a girl Athena's age? The sweetest, most innocent, playful little creatures. Mine says "I love you" a hundred times a day, and says "Want to be friends?" to everyone she meets. I'm so glad Athena's parents stepped out for the audio. I don't know what decision I would make. It would be hard. I'm sure you feel some duty to "be there" for her final moments if you couldn't really BE there, but the fact is they're stuck here having to keep living, and they need to find a way to do that =( So hard not to picture my sweet baby's bouncy little pigtails reading these awful things. It's so incomprehensible. Just, how could he?

I have 8 year old and 5 year old boys. All I can think of is how I would react if this were one of them. I think I would just vomit and want to die. I don’t know how anyone gets through this, honestly.

ETA: as a parent, I’d be torn between feeling it’s my duty to witness what had happened to my baby so I could understand better, no matter how painful. But I’d also never sleep again if I had to hear that.

 

[Sarahlou]

His guilty plea should have prevented a jury from being subjected to this. The man is attracted to children, and that alone is enough for the DP in my book. You simply cannot fix that level of monstrosity, whether they act upon it and torture and murder victims, or if they keep quiet and download vicious material online that encourages the further creation of such material. IMO.

I actually think it's quite wrong that the jury should have to listen to that audio. What purpose does it serve? He plead guilty and everyone knows what he did. They don't need to be mentally scarred for life.
Just reading a few of the details makes me feel ill. This is not a case I can follow closely.

No punishment is strong enough for someone this evil.

 

[tlcya]

had the jury not heard the audio they might have fallen for the premise presented by defense that he is some sort of victim who just made a mistake and panicked and is deserving of mercy. He is not. Now they unequivocally KNOW this. JMO

 

[bajaflash]

I actually think it's quite wrong that the jury should have to listen to that audio. What purpose does it serve? He plead guilty and everyone knows what he did. They don't need to be mentally scarred for life.
Just reading a few of the details makes me feel ill. This is not a case I can follow closely.

No punishment is strong enough for someone this evil.

I agree. I had a hard time getting to sleep a d I didnt even listen to it.