A former delivery driver has been sentenced to death for murdering a seven-year-old girl in Texas.
Tanner Horner, 34, killed Athena Strand in November 2022 after delivering her Barbie Christmas present to her home in the rural town of Paradise.
Her body was found two days after she disappeared, about 11 miles away.
Horner claimed he hit her accidentally with his FedEx work van, panicked and strangled her in the back of the vehicle.
Tanner Horner claimed he killed the seven-year-old in a panic. Pic: NBC
Wise County District Attorney James Stainton told the court Horner was a liar and that Athena was unhurt when he took her.
Jurors were shown a picture of the girl from a video inside the delivery truck. She was still alive and sitting on her knees behind the driver’s seat.
Prosecutor James Stainton holds the shoes Tanner wore when he killed Athena. Pic: AP
Mr Stainton said Horner had told her “don’t scream, or I’ll hurt you”, but Athena fought him and his DNA was found under her fingernails.
“Tanner Horner is proof why parents hug their children a little tighter,” said the prosecutor during Tuesday’s closing arguments.
“He’s proof of why children are nervous to go play outside.”
Athena’s mother Maitlyn Gandy reacts after the jury sentenced Horner to death. Pic: AP
The jury in Fort Worth, Texas, could have sentenced him to life in prison without parole, but after a two-week hearing chose to put him to death.
He will be executed by lethal injection on a date to be confirmed.
Horner showed no emotion as state District Judge George Gallagher delivered the sentence.
Horner after being sentenced to the death penalty at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Pic: AP
Elijah Strand, Athena’s uncle, spoke in court and told him: “You are nothing – you are a footnote in Athena’s story.
“Her name will forever be remembered, her name will forever be celebrated, and everyone will forget you.”
He added: “Athena was more than a headline. She was laughter, curiosity, kindness and innocence.
“And she had dreams that she will never get to chase, birthdays that she will never celebrate and a life she’ll never get to live, because of his actions.”
Athena’s uncle said she had ‘dreams that she will never get to chase’. Pic: AP
Horner was originally due to go on trial, but pleaded guilty last month to murder and aggravated kidnapping.
His lawyers are appealing and argued in mitigation he had foetal alcohol syndrome disorder, which causes emotional and cognitive problems, due to his mother drinking when she was pregnant.
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