The Texas FedEx driver accused of strangling 7-year-old Athena Strand and dumping her physique in a close-by river has been formally charged with kidnapping and homicide within the case.
A Sensible County grand jury indicted Tanner Horner, 31, Thursday on two expenses of aggravated kidnapping and capital homicide of an individual beneath 10, NBC5 reported.
Horner may face the dying penalty if convicted on the capital homicide cost. Police have requested that prosecutors pursue the dying penalty.
Athena’s mom, Maitlyn Gandy, thanked the grand jury and known as Horner’s indictment “the start of an extended highway by means of the justice system.”
The mother is in favor of the dying penalty in Horner’s case, she beforehand instructed WFAA.
“I help the dying penalty,” Gandy says. “Each breath he takes is one my daughter doesn’t.”
Horner allegedly instructed police he unintentionally hit Athena along with his supply van on Nov. 30, at her father’s dwelling in Paradise, Texas, roughly 40 miles northwest of Fort Value.
Though she was not severely injured, Horner tossed the lady into his truck, for worry that she would inform her father in regards to the accident. He then strangled her and dumped the physique within the Trinity River, roughly 10 miles from her home, authorities contend.
Horner, who had been dropping off a package deal that occurred to be the lady’s Christmas current — a set of Barbie dolls — led police to the physique two days after Athena’s stepmother reported her lacking.
Horner can be going through three sexual assault expenses relationship again to 2013, which aren’t associated to Athena’s case. He’s presently being held in Sensible County Jail. on $1.5 million bail.
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