Live updates: Watch Day 6 of Tanner Horner capital murder trial
Watch Tuesday’s video from the trial in the capital murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, and follow Star-Telegram.com for updates.
www.star-telegram.comHere’s the latest available update on the Tanner Horner case:
-
Recent reporting indicates Tanner Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder in the 2022 death of 7-year-old Athena Strand, with the case moving into sentencing. The guilty plea occurred as the capital murder trial was about to begin, and prosecutors sought the death penalty while the defense pushed for life without parole. This development marked a major pivot in the proceedings and set the stage for the sentencing phase, which was expected to cover issues such as aggravating factors and potential penalties.[1]
-
Live coverage throughout April 2026 documented the sentencing phase, including testimony from mental health professionals, Horner’s mother, and other witnesses addressing Horner’s background and potential mitigating factors. Reports indicated the defense emphasized developmental and health issues, while prosecutors continued to present evidence supporting a death sentence for the crime. The jury’s task was to determine whether punishment would be life in prison without parole or the death penalty.[2][3][4]
-
As of late April 2026, multiple outlets reported ongoing testimony and arguments during the sentencing portion, with emphasis on expert testimony regarding Horner’s mental health and upbringing, and on the impact of the crime on Athena Strand’s family and community. Coverage also noted the creation of state-level awareness tied to the case, including provisions like the Athena Alert to speed missing-child notifications in the future.[3][4][5][2]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent sentencing outcomes and add a concise timeline of key proceedings, or summarize the arguments from both sides with direct quotes from court filings. I can also provide links to major outlet stories for deeper reading.