FORT WORTH, Texas – More than three years after the death of Athena Strand, the capital murder trial for Tanner Horner began with a guilty plea.

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Horner, a former delivery driver accused of kidnapping and strangling the 7-year-old after hitting her with his van in 2022, admitted to her capital murder in a Tarrant County courthouse on Tuesday morning.

The punishment phase of the trial began immediately afterward. Horner still faces a possible death penalty sentence.

FOX 4 will provide live gavel-to-gavel coverage from inside the courtroom for the duration of the trial.

WATCH LIVE: DAY 2 TRIAL COVERAGE

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Jurors view testimony after Tanner Horner guilty plea

Jurors view testimony after Tanner Horner guilty plea

After Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to killing Athena Strand Tuesday morning, jurors heard testimony and viewed evidence as they now will decide whether Horner will receive the death penalty. FOX 4’s Dionne Anglin has more.

2:35 p.m. Testimony wraps up

Testimony is done for the day. Horner’s trial will resume at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

1:50 p.m. Agent testifies

FBI Special Agent Patrick McGuire was the final witness to take the stand on Tuesday. He said it’s common for local agencies to request help from the FBI with missing child or kidnapping investigations.

He was assigned to investigate the package that was delivered to Athena’s home around the time that she disappeared.

McGuire told the jury about his initial conversations with Horner on the phone while meeting with his boss at a company contracted to deliver FedEx packages. At the time, Horner said he didn’t remember making a delivery at Athena’s home.

But after the agents tracked Horner down to talk to him in person, McGuire said Horner admitted he did recall the delivery, claiming he saw a green van leaving the family’s driveway and then claiming he went home sick after making the delivery.

McGuire warned other law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for a green Chevy Astro van, which he now believes never existed.

A few days later, the agent obtained dash camera video from Horner’s truck, which showed Horner placing a small girl into the back of his FedEx van.

12:50 p.m. Lunch break

Jurors are taking their lunch break. The trial will resume at 1:45 p.m.

12:41 p.m. Body found in Trinity River

The former sheriff testifies that Athena’s nude body was found in an area of the Trinity River called Bobo Crossing, which is about 13 miles away from her home by car. Prosecutors have indicated there is DNA evidence of sexual assault.

Sheriff Akin recalled meeting with Athena’s family to let them know her body had been found.

“It was heartbreaking,” he said. “I wish I could have done something to make it better because, right to the last minute we were hoping that she was alive and well.”

12:10 p.m. Sheriff Lane Akin

Wise County’s former sheriff was sworn in to testify before the jury. He was the sheriff in office in November 2022 when Athena disappeared. He talked about his career experience with missing persons cases, as well as the initial steps that were taken in this case.

“I’ll never forget the morning of Dec. 1, citizens came from all parts of Wise County to help us find that child. And we put them to work with our deputies, with our investigators, with our game wardens. It was shoulder to shoulder. We had what we estimated was about 300 citizens and they brought their 4-wheelers. Some brought horses. Some brought dogs,” Sheriff Akin said. “I appreciate the fact that so many people came out to help us that day.”

12 p.m. More photo evidence

While outside the presence of the jury, co-defense attorney Susan Anderson questioned retired Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin about video from inside Horner’s truck and photos that were taken during the search for Athena.

11:40 p.m. Photo shows Athena inside delivery truck

The state presented evidence that shows Athena inside Horner’s delivery truck on the day that she disappeared. Her stepmother told jurors that there was no reason for her to be in that truck, and she did not have permission to be in the truck.

In the photo, Athena appears alert and unharmed, contradicting Horner’s claims that he accidentally hit her with his truck and then killed her in a panic.

10:50 a.m. Ashley Strand testifies

Athena’s stepmother, Ashley Strand testified about their family’s home in the small city of Paradise, in Wise County. She said they lived in a rural area that didn’t get much traffic.

She recalled cooking dinner with her toddler on the afternoon that Athena disappeared. Athena’s father, Jacob, had gone on a hunting trip. Athena’s older sister was at a relative’s house nearby getting help with homework. Athena was supposed to be in her room doing laundry. But by the time dinner was ready to serve, the little girl was no longer in her room.

After searching the property for a while, Ashley Strand called the police.

“I thought maybe she was just hiding somewhere,” her stepmom said.

The only thing she noticed that was unusual or out of place on the property was a package from Walmart containing Barbie dolls that she had ordered for Athena as a Christmas present. It had been dropped off in front of an abandoned trailer that was also on the property.