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In a heartbreaking second in court docket this Tuesday, a ultimate photograph was launched of 7-year-old Athena Strand who was kidnapped from her driveway in late 2022 and later murdered and dumped close to a river. The discharge of the black-and-white photograph captured behind a FedEx supply van that confirmed the woman kneeling behind the driving force’s seat coincided with a flip of occasions on the courtroom.
34-year-old Tanner Horner, the driving force answerable for the supply, unexpectedly pleaded responsible to capital homicide and aggravated kidnapping. The plea got here simply as his trial was ready to start, sparing the court docket a prolonged fact-finding part however doing little to ease the emotional weight of the proof offered.
Horner, who was delivering a field of “You Can Be Something” Barbies to Athena’s rural residence in Paradise, close to Fort Price, claimed he by accident struck her together with his van after which panicked and put her contained in the van, and ultimately strangled her and left her physique close to a river, Specific reported.
Nonetheless, judging from the picture, prosecutors consider Athena Strand wasn’t severely injured and what Horner did to her was a deliberate choice, not one made in a state of panic.
Throughout opening statements, Sensible County District Legal professional James Stainton informed the court docket the {photograph} confirmed Athena was “very a lot alive and really a lot unhurt” when she was positioned within the truck.
Stainton alleged the primary phrases Horner spoke to her have been: “Don’t scream or I’ll harm you,” repeated twice.
James Stainton informed jurors they might be proven footage from contained in the van and would additionally hear audio recorded after the digicam had been intentionally coated. Stainton stated: “You’re going to hear what a 250-pound man can do to a 67-pound youngster. And once I say it’s horrible, I imply it.”
He continued: “You may’t unhear” the audio, calling it proof of “the extent of cold-heartedness that you simply’re going to see.”
He added that Athena fought again, leaving Horner’s DNA underneath her fingernails and “in locations the place you shouldn’t discover DNA on a 7-year-old woman.”
Jurors have been informed Horner appeared composed within the video, at one level whistling as he drove, whereas Athena appeared clearly upset, undermining his account of occasions spiraling uncontrolled.
Decide George Gallagher instructed the jury: “Now your sole responsibility will likely be to take heed to the entire proof that’s going to be offered to you as a result of you may be utilizing that proof to find out the correct punishment to be assessed.”
Investigators have been capable of determine Horner after confirming he had delivered the set of Barbie dolls to the house shortly earlier than Athena vanished. He later led authorities to her physique simply two days after she was reported lacking.
With Horner admitting to the crime, the proceedings have now moved to the sentencing part. The jury is now not tasked with figuring out guilt, however the final punishment. They should resolve whether or not Horner will likely be sentenced to loss of life or to a life in jail with out the opportunity of parole.
Elizabeth “Ashley” Strand, Athena’s stepmother who first reported her lacking, turned emotional on the witness stand, saying her now 14-year-old daughter nonetheless runs and hides on the sight of a supply driver and continues to undergo from nightmares.
In line with Courtroom TV, Horner’s protection legal professional urged the court docket to point out mercy, arguing that his shopper was born to an unique dancer who consumed alcohol throughout being pregnant, had struggled with psychological sickness his total life, and was uncovered to guide as a toddler.
Sentencing proceedings are anticipated to proceed for roughly two weeks.
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