Jurors were left in tears and family members walked out of a Texas courtroom Thursday as disturbing footage capturing the final moments of 7-year-old Athena Strand’s life was played during her killer’s trial.
Tanner Horner, 34, is currently awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty on to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping on April 7, right before his trial was set to begin.
Athena Strand was taken from her father’s home in Texas, where Horner had delivered a package containing Barbie dolls intended as a Christmas gift. Investigators allege Horner strangled the 7-year-old inside his truck, before disposing of her body in a nearby area.
Recording of Athena Strands final moments
Emotional scenes unfolded as the court was shown a disturbing video recorded of what happened in the delivery truck. Before the footage began, Judge George Gallagher issued a warning.
“If you think you cannot watch it or listen to it, leave now. Now’s your time to get out,” he said according to New York Post.
Livestreams of the trial were also cut before the video was shown. According to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, the footage dates back to November 2022 – the Athena was killed.
Horner appears to pull up to Athena’s home and abduct her from the driveway, as he lifts her inside his truck, before getting behind the wheel and driving away. Inside the truck, Athena can be heard repeatedly asking him, “Are you a kidnapper?”
Her family had to leave the courtroom
Rather than answering, Horner attempts to make conversation, asking her about school and her teachers. At one point, he tells her, “You’re really pretty. You know that?” as the truck appears to come to a stop.
“Is this your house?” Athena asks.
“No. I don’t live around here,” Horner replies, adding that he lives “far away” when she asks where.
“What are we doing?” the 7-year-old then asks.
“Hang out for a minute,” he responds.
Tanner Horner could face the death penalty
Shortly after, Horner asks Athena to take her shirt off. She refuses, saying “no,” and begins asking for her mother. Moments later, her cries turn into screams, with loud banging noises echoing from inside the truck.
By the time the video ended, jurors were reportedly crying in the courtroom. Members of Athena’s family left in waves as the footage played.
He now faces either life in prison or the death penalty, with a jury set to determine his sentence.