Jurors sob as murdered 7-year-old Athena Strand’s closing moments are performed in courtroom: ‘Are you a kidnapper?’ | EUROtoday

Jurors reportedly wept and relations left a Texas courtroom as video performed displaying the disturbing closing moments of Athena Strand, a 7-year-old who was kidnapped and killed by a FedEx driver in 2022.

In the clip, Strand reportedly might be heard asking Tanner Horner, who confessed to the killing, “Are you a kidnapper?”

In response, the motive force instructed the kid to take a seat down and never scream or else he would harm her, in accordance with the video. Several of Strand’s relations reportedly left the courtroom throughout this portion of the tape.

The video captures Horner, 34, driving to Strand’s residence within the city of Paradise, close to Fort Worth, to ship a bundle.

Strand can later be seen being lifted into the truck after which Horner drives away.

The 7-year-old later asks Horner the place they’re going and he responds that it doesn’t matter.

He can then be seen masking the digital camera inside his supply truck.

In the video, Horner is later reportedly heard telling the 7-year-old to take off her shirt, as she says “no” and asks for her mother. The recording continues and captures a chronic interval of banging, screaming, and crying.

Prior to taking part in the recording, Judge George Gallagher reportedly warned the courtroom concerning the graphic content material of the clip.

“If you think you cannot watch it or listen to it, leave now. Now’s your time to get out,” he mentioned, in accordance with NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Strand’s mother and father, Jacob Strand and Maitlyn Gandy, left the room earlier than the video was performed and a TV feed displaying the proceedings was quickly disabled as jurors listened to the delicate footage.

State prosecutors rested their case on Thursday.

Last week, Horner pleaded responsible, in a shock transfer, shortly earlier than the trial was set to get underway.

The jury will now contemplate whether or not to aspect with prosecutors and provides the 34-year-old the demise penalty or life in jail.

Horner claimed to police he unintentionally hit Strand together with his truck then killed her in a match of panic.

He took investigators to the place he left Strand’s physique, in accordance with his arrest warrant.

The prosecution alleges Horner was mendacity about what occurred.

“The only truthful thing that Tanner Horner told law enforcement was that he killed her,” Wise County District Attorney James Stainton mentioned throughout opening arguments.

Horner’s protection has requested jurors to present him a life sentence. His lawyer mentioned the 34-year-old is autistic and had suffered from fetal alcohol publicity, lead publicity and psychological sickness.

“When someone’s brain is what’s injured, you don’t see it,” lawyer Steven Goble instructed jurors.

The protection is predicted to start presenting its arguments subsequent Wednesday.