Week four of the punishment phase in the Tanner Horner capital murder case focused Monday on testimony from people who knew Horner before the killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand, as the defense continued presenting evidence aimed at influencing jurors’ sentencing decision.
Horner pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 7, to killing Athena Strand, abruptly shifting what had been expected to be a capital murder trial into the punishment phase, where jurors must decide whether he will receive the death penalty or get life in prison without parole.
Monday’s testimony centered on Horner’s background, neurodevelopmental history, and behavior, with defense witnesses describing his school history, relationships, church involvement, and autism-related challenges.
A former Azle ISD special educator, whose identity is being protected, testified that Horner had learning disabilities, was on the autism spectrum, and often needed academic support, redirection, and help de-escalating situations.
“There must have been at least two incidents where redirection didn’t work because he has a violation of fighting and mutual combat,” the witness testified.
A pastor who knew Horner through church youth ministry described him as passionate about music and loved by his church, while also recounting visiting Horner in jail after Athena’s killing.
A former girlfriend and longtime friend also testified, describing Horner as kind and emotionally reactive under stress, but not violent toward her.
Together, the witnesses offered jurors a broader picture of Horner as the defense continued building its mitigation case in the punishment phase.
Monday afternoon, jurors also heard from Dr. Amy Fritz, a speech-language pathologist and special education expert called by the defense, who testified that Horner showed what she described as profound social communication deficits related to autism.
Fritz also told jurors that autism is “not an excuse” for the offense. Her testimony focused in part on social communication, emotional processing, and executive functioning — evidence the defense is presenting as jurors weigh whether Horner should be sentenced to death or life without parole.
Testimony is set to resume Tuesday.
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