BREAKING: The prosecution in Tanner Horner’s capital murder trial has rested.

They wrapped this afternoon after playing that one hour video from inside Horner’s FedEx truck which captured him killing #AthenaStrand via audio after he covered up the camera.

Wise County DA James Stainton warned jurors that the video was ‘horrible’ on Day 1.

Athena’s mother testified that she could only watch a few minutes of it on Wednesday.

They were not exaggerating.

It left jurors sobbing and in tears Thursday afternoon per our team inside the courtroom.

⚠️ I want to warn those who have closely followed this case alongside me: this description is disturbing.

Before the video cuts out—it shows Horner delivering the package and getting out of the truck.

Several minutes later you see him walking towards truck with Athena following him.

He lets her up into the van and shuts the door, and sits her down.

He says, “Don’t scream or I will hurt you.”

Athena: “Where are you taking me?”

She stands up and he makes her sit back down.

She starts to look scared and asks again, “Where are you taking me?”

Then he covers the camera.

Athena: “I have school tomorrow.”
Horner: “You have school tomorrow?”

“How old are you?”

Athena: 7

Horner: “What is your teacher’s name?
Athena: “Ms. Thompson.”
Horner: “Is she nice?
Athena: “Yes.”

Horner starts slowing down the van.

Athena: “Where are we going? What are you doing?”
Horner: “We are going to hang out for awhile.”

Horner: “Take off your shirt.”
Athena: “Why? What are you doing?”

Athena starts crying. “What are you doing?” She asks. “Are you a kidnapper?”

Athena: “My mom said you can’t do that.”

“Why are you doing this?”

Horner: “Because you are pretty. You know that?”

That’s all you need to read. This alone is utterly horrific and the rest of the video is worse.

At one point, ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ comes on the radio with Athena in the back. Horner can be heard singing carefree like nothing happened.

Rebecca Lopez has decades of experience covering crime with WFAA and she said it might be the worst thing she’s ever witnessed in court.

I only share this because it underscores, fortifies, and strengthens everything the state has been saying about Horner’s intentions all along.

Athena didn’t end up in Horner’s truck by accident and an incredibly dark motive was behind it all—that he is a future danger to not just society but to others he might be incarcerated with.

The defense takes over from here—the case will resume on Wednesday morning.

There will be some hearings between the state and the defense between then to presumably determine which of their witnesses will testify next week.