Athena Strand

During opening statements, jurors were warned about the graphic nature of the evidence. “Buckle up,” prosecutors said, as they outlined what they claim were repeated lies told by Horner during the investigation – except for his admission that he killed Athena.

Instead, prosecutors pointed to multiple pieces of forensic evidence, including Horner’s DNA found under Athena’s fingernails and in what they described as “places where you shouldn’t find DNA.” They also emphasized the extent of Athena’s resistance.

“One thing you’re going to hear that is something you can’t unhear is the level of fight that a seven-year-old girl has,” Stainton said.

“I’ll tell you that little girl right there is a Warrior. She fought with the strength of 100 men.”

Authorities later discovered her body roughly 13 miles away, near the Trinity River.

Horner’s defense team has not argued that he is innocent. Instead, they are focusing on the sentencing phase, attempting to persuade jurors to spare his life. His attorneys told the court that Horner has Asperger’s, was exposed to alcohol before birth, and experienced lead exposure as a child.

“Tanner unfortunately also suffered various mental illnesses throughout his life. He’s been diagnosed and received treatment for and some of those are ongoing. You’ll hear about those issues,” defense attorney Steven Goble said.