4 p.m. Agents find Athena’s clothes

An FBI special agent testified about finding children’s clothing behind a shed in the grass near Horner’s house. He also collected a FedEx shirt and hoodie found on a bed as evidence. Jurors were shown photos of that evidence.

3:10 p.m. Bruce Sherman testifies

Former Texas Ranger Bruce Sherman was called to the stand. He now works for a different agency, but at the time he was involved in the case in a support role. He was tasked with looking into Horner’s associates and digital footprint.

He also testified about being part of the team that searched Horner’s home shortly after he was detained. He conducted recorded but informal interviews with Horner’s family members while their home was being searched.

2:20 p.m. FBI special agent testifies

Prosecutors called FBI Special Agent Taylor Page to the stand to testify about phone records that were pulled in this case. He said the records showed a phone associated with Horner and a second device in his delivery truck were at some point in the location where Athena’s body was found.

1:20 p.m. Cross-examination

Horner’s defense team began cross-examining Ranger Espinoza about his investigation, pointing out issues with reading Horner his Miranda rights, allowing him access to an attorney, and things that were or were not included in his police report.

Defense attorney Susan Anderson also pointed out that during the jailhouse interview, Horner offered to enter a plea, give up his defense, and go to prison for life in exchange for him “telling you everything you would like to know.” Espinoza agreed.

“What he was willing to do if you were to speak to the judge, speak to the prosecutors about the possibility of electronic monitoring?” the defense asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” the investigator agreed.

12:10 p.m. Lunch break

The jury was dismissed for an hour for a lunch break.

12 p.m. ‘I’m not a monster’

Horner told investigators during the jailhouse interview that he was being held in a padded cell and that “everybody there looks at me like I’m a monster.”

“I’m not a monster,” he said.

11:40 p.m. ‘I thought it was a nightmare’

During the jailhouse interview, Horner told investigators that he felt like he had different states. He used a car analogy, saying sometimes he was driving like normal and other times Zero was driving while he was along for the ride.

“And then there’s other times that I feel I’m in the trunk,” he said. “I have no idea what’s going on. There’s been times where I wake up and I have no idea how I got there.”

The investigator asked him what he recalled about the night Athena died.

“That night, I kind of had a nightmare. I thought it was a nightmare until I found, until I found her pants in my backpack,” Horner said.

11:33 p.m. Multiple personalities

Horner told investigators during the jailhouse interview that his fiancée has multiple personalities. She said he has three, but he said he only believes he has two.

11:20 a.m. Suicidal thoughts

In the jailhouse interview, Horner told investigators that he began taking his medication because he was having suicidal thoughts. He said that’s when he started feeling like he had a “little devil on his shoulder.”

10:15 a.m. Dec. 7 interview

Jurors began watching video of Ranger Espinoza meeting with Horner on Dec. 7, 2022 after Horner asked to talk to him again.

Horner asked the investigator to let him out of jail for a month so that he could spend Christmas with his family. He promised to tell the investigators everything if they agreed.

“Did you know what you did was wrong?” Espinoza asked him.

“Of course,” Horner said. “I haven’t been on that medicine for five days, and it’s starting to wear off. I’ve actually been crying. Do you know what it’s like, not being able to cry for months and months and months?”

“Tanner, are you remorseful for what you did?” Espinoza asked him.

“I’m a father. I took a…” Horner said before getting emotional. “All I want is to spend one last Christmas with my son, and I’ll tell you everything.”

9:56 a.m. Morning break

The court took a 10-minute recess.

9:28 a.m. Kidnapping

Body camera video showed investigators asking Horner more questions about what happened in Athena’s driveway.

“Did she tell you she didn’t want to go with you?” they asked.

“Of course,” Horner replied.

“What’d you tell her,” they asked.

“We’re going on a ride,” Horner said.

“She didn’t try to fight you when you told her we’re going on a ride?” the investigators asked.

Horner said no and mumbled something about questions that Athena asked him. He said he continued to tell her they were going on a ride.

9:20 a.m. Athena Strand’s clothes

Tanner Horner Trial: 'Alter ego' talks about abducting child

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Tanner Horner Trial: ‘Alter ego’ talks about abducting child

Jurors watched more body camera video of investigators questioning Tanner Horner about what happened to Athena Strand’s clothes. Speaking as his alter ego named Zero, Horner said he dumped the clothes along the highway because he thought it was funny.

Jurors watched more body camera video of investigators questioning Horner about what happened to Athena’s clothes. Speaking as his alter ego named Zero, Horner said he dumped the clothes along the highway because he thought it was funny.

Ranger Espinoza later testified that Horner told him Athena’s panties were still on her body. He said he knew that was untrue because he’d seen her nude body.

Espinoza said Horner finally admitted that he had taken Athena’s pants, and that they were in a backpack in the trash at his house. Investigators did find some of Athena’s clothes at his house.

The prosecutor asked the Texas Ranger if there was any truth to the claim that Athena’s clothes were thrown on the highway, and he said no.

“Based on the course of this investigation, I knew that was a lie,” Espinoza testified.

9:10 a.m. Ranger Espinoza’s testimony continues

The trial on Thursday morning began with more testimony from Texas Ranger Job Espinoza, the lead investigator who interrogated Horner and was with him when Athena’s body was located in the Trinity River at Bobo’s Crossing.

“At this point, other than telling you where Athena was located, is there anything else truthful that Tanner Horner has told you,” the prosecutor asked.

“No sir,” Espinoza replied.

“Up until this point, how many different versions has Tanner Horner told you of how things went down at Athena’s residence,” the prosecutor asked.

“He’s given me numerous different versions of how the events of that day transpired,” Espinoza said.

Tanner Horner Trial Daily Recap

Tanner Horner references alter-ego in murder trial

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Tanner Horner references alter-ego in murder trial

Testimony continued on the second day of Tanner Horner’s murder trial, and he made frequent reference to his alter-ego ‘Zero’ to investigators. FOX 4’s Dionne Castillo has the latest.

On Wednesday, jurors watched hours of interrogation video. In it, Horner revealed his violent alter ego, who he called Zero.

The video showed Horner leading authorities to the wrong location of where he said he left Athena’s body. It wasn’t until investigators changed their tactics and started addressing Horner directly as Zero that they were finally able to find Athena’s body.

Day 1 – Tanner Horner pleads guilty
Day 2 – Tanner Horner discusses alter ego ‘Zero’

Jury watches Tanner Horner interrogation video

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Jury watches Tanner Horner interrogation video

Jurors in the Athena Strand murder trial watch Tanner Horner’s interrogation video with investigators today, one where he switched to an alternate personality named ‘Zero’. FOX 4’s Peyton Yager has more.

Athena Strand’s Death

Horner lied about hitting Athena Strand with his truck, prosecutor says

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Horner lied about hitting Athena Strand with his truck, prosecutor says

Prosecutors tell jurors that the only thing Tanner Horner actually told the truth about was that he killed 7-year-old Athena Strand. The story about him hitting her with his delivery truck was a lie, according to the state.

The backstory:

Horner was charged with capital murder for the death of 7-year-old Athena Strand outside her family’s Wise County home on Nov. 30, 2022.

A contract delivery driver working for FedEx at the time, Horner was delivering what was meant to be a Christmas present for the young girl.

Package meant for Athena Strand

Horner told investigators he accidentally hit Athena with his van while delivering a package to her home. She reportedly survived, but Horner told authorities he panicked and kidnapped her, later strangling her to death.

Athena was reported missing, and eventually an Amber Alert was issued, leading to 72 hours of searching. She was found dead in Boyd, Texas, not far from her family’s home.