‘We’re so sorry’: Tanner Horner’s grandmother apologizes to victim’s family
Tanner Horner’s grandmother apologized to Athena Strand’s family Thursday and told jurors she was shocked to learn Horner had sexually assaulted the 7-year-old Wise County girl before killing her in the back of his FedEx truck in November 2022.
“I feel like there’s nothing I can say to make anything better. And I’m sure there’s not,” Jackie said to Athena’s parents. “I just want you to know that I’ve not forgotten you or your daughter.”
Jackie, whom attorneys addressed only by her first name, was one of the last witnesses for the defense in Horner’s capital murder trial. The 34-year-old Horner has already pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Athena after delivering a package to her family’s Wise County home on Nov. 30, 2022. The jury will decide if the defendant should receive life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Horner went to live with Jackie — his maternal grandmother — and her husband when he was around 3 years old. His parents had separated, and his father spent time in prison. Horner’s mother, Melissa, was struggling with addiction and was in and out of his life.
Jackie sent Horner to a daycare since she had to work. She started noticing that he preferred to play alone, and other children labeled him as “weird” and “awkward,” she said.
Horner was eventually diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, now called autism spectrum disorder, and ADHD. Jackie said it was a relief to find out what was wrong. She described Horner as friendly and talkative, but said he had a hard time making friends and was often bullied.
Jackie said her husband, Bill, didn’t put any stock in the diagnosis and would say there’s “nothing wrong with that boy.” Bill, who was a Vietnam War veteran, tended to be angry and demanding at home. He would tell Horner to mow the lawn, but didn’t show him how to do it right, Jackie testified.
According to Jackie, Horner was the first person in the family to graduate from high school. Jurors saw photos of the teenage Horner in his cap and gown and a copy of his Azle High School diploma.
When Horner’s son was born in 2021, he was so excited to be a dad, Jackie testified. He “took good care” of his son and enjoyed showing him off to other people, she said.
“It’s sad that, you know, he will never be a daddy that he wanted to be,” Jackie said.
On Dec. 2, 2022, Horner was arrested for Athena’s murder. Chilling audio and video evidence shows that Horner lured the 7-year-old into his FedEx truck on Nov. 30 and initiated a string of lies to conceal what he’d done to the child. He finally admitted during a psychiatric evaluation that he’d sexually assaulted Athena, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Eileen Ryan testified Wednesday.
According to Ryan, Horner also admitted that he punched and kicked Athena in the head after his attempts to break her neck and strangle the 7-year-old didn’t work. Medical examiner records show Athena died from blunt force trauma, smothering and strangulation. Horner dumped her naked body in the water along the Trinity River and then borrowed supplies from Love’s Travel Stop to clean up the truck before taking it back to the FedEx station.
Jackie told the jury Thursday that she saw the news of Athena’s disappearance and sent photos of the child to Horner.
“I said, ‘Tanner, I know you’re working out in Paradise. Please look out for this little girl,” Jackie said.
Tanner’s responded something like, “OK, I’ll look out for her,” the grandmother said. It was “kind of a generic answer,” she said. Prosecutor James Stainton asked whether Horner admitted doing anything to Athena at that time, and his grandmother replied that he did not. If he had, she would have called authorities.
According to Jackie, Horner’s actions have devastated their family. She told Stainton that her grandson knows it’s wrong to sexually assault and kill a child. Jackie said she hasn’t stopped loving Horner, but she’s still working through the anger she feels toward him.
“We’re so sorry for Athena’s parents, more than you’ll ever know,” Jackie said. “We think about you every day. And I pray for you every day.”
The defense will call its final witnesses when Horner’s trial resumes Monday. The jury should begin deliberations after closing arguments on Tuesday.
