The punishment phase of the capital murder trial of Tanner Horner entered its fourth week as defense attorneys continued presenting evidence aimed at sparing him from the death penalty.
Horner, a former FedEx contract driver, pleaded guilty earlier this month to the 2022 killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Wise County.
Jurors are now tasked with deciding whether Horner should be sentenced to death or to life in prison.
Prosecutors have already rested their case. The defense is expected to continue calling witnesses in an effort to show that Horner would not pose a future danger if he were sentenced to life behind bars, a key consideration under Texas law in capital cases.
Family members of Horner are expected to testify this week as part of the defense’s case. The punishment phase is expected to continue in the coming days.
