Jury selection begins in capital murder trial of Athena Strand’s accused killer
Jury selection in the capital murder trial of Tanner Horner, the FedEx driver accused of kidnapping and killing North Texas girl Athena Strand, began Thursday morning.
“Capital murder is the most serious crime that can be committed in Texas,” presiding Judge George Gallagher told the group, before sharing basic details about Horner’s alleged crime.
Horner, a FedEx contract driver, delivered a Christmas gift of Barbies intended for Athena to her father’s home near the Wise County town of Paradise on Nov. 30, 2022. The 7-year-old went missing at the time of the delivery, and her body was found two days later at a site along the Trinity River, less than 10 miles from the house.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Horner confessed to authorities and said that he backed into Athena with his FedEx truck. She wasn’t seriously hurt, but he kidnapped her, strangled her and killed her so she couldn’t tell her father about the accident, he said.
Horner is being held in the Tarrant County Jail as he awaits his trial this spring. He’s been indicted on charges of aggravated kidnapping and capital murder of a child. The Wise County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case and will seek the death penalty for Horner if he’s convicted of capital murder.
Jury selection in a trial that involves a potential death penalty requires a more rigorous process than for other crimes.
Around 1,300 Tarrant County residents were originally summoned for the jury, according to jury bailiff Paula Morales. Only 314 of them qualified, and that number was whittled down to 300 shortly after they arrived at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center early Thursday. None of the individuals knew what case they’d been summoned for until they heard it from Gallagher.
Around 120 individuals said they already knew something about the case, and 57 of them were dismissed after indicating they’d already made up their mind about Horner’s innocence or guilt. Those who made the cut will return Friday and fill out an 18-page questionnaire.
Individual interviews will be conducted with prospective jurors starting Feb. 10 ahead of the April 7 trial date.
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 6:02 PM.
