Tanner Horner murder trial enters final week – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
What to Know
- The trial shall be livestreamed and stay blogged on this article. The choose has warned that the trial will embody graphic testimony and video. NBC 5 has determined to chop away from significantly graphic elements of the testimony. We will return to the trial as quickly as we’re ready. Viewer discretion is suggested.
- An entire stay weblog on the day’s occasions at trial seems under the article.
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The protection rested its case Monday within the Tanner Horner capital murder trial, with closing arguments anticipated Tuesday morning.
Horner has admitted to kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Athena Strand in November 2023. He now faces punishment of both life in jail with out parole or the demise penalty.
After the protection rested Monday morning, prosecutors referred to as a rebuttal witness who testified about prior sexual assault allegations involving Horner. The witness, recognized solely as Billy, informed swearers he was a household good friend who was raised as Horner’s cousin and that the 2 grew up collectively from about age 3.
Billy testified that he had needed to talk with prosecutors and mentioned he informed Horner’s attorneys that, however mentioned he was ignored. He informed the courtroom he was referred to as to testify solely after he just lately posted on Facebook about what he mentioned Horner had achieved to him.
“And out of impulse, I made a Facebook post,” Billy mentioned.
Billy testified that the alleged abuse occurred when he and Horner had been kids and that their households had been renting houses on a farm on the time. He additionally testified about one other alleged incident that he mentioned occurred a number of years later. In each circumstances, he mentioned Horner uncovered himself, masturbated and demanded oral and anal intercourse.
“I figured the truth needs to be told,” Billy mentioned. “He deserves to pay for everything that he’s done.”
Billy mentioned Horner favored to faux to play Dragon Ball Z once they had been youthful however that he simply “ended up him just beating us up and kneeing us in the stomach.”
Horner scribbled notes on a notepad in the course of the testimony and handed them backwards and forwards to his attorneys. The protection questioned Billy’s timeline.
Jurors additionally heard from the protection’s final witness, who testified that she doesn’t suppose Horner is violent or has a legal thoughts. The state referred to as two different rebuttal witnesses, together with one who testified about whether or not Horner is and could be a hazard even in jail.
The prosecution and protection are anticipated to offer closing arguments on Tuesday, and either side shall be given a few half hour for closing remarks earlier than the jury begins deliberating Horner’s sentence.
This story was initially reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI instruments helped convert the story right into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it once more earlier than publication.
