The jury in Tanner Honer’s capital murder trial was temporarily dismissed as attorneys prepare final witnesses
By Jala Washington • Published April 20, 2026 • Updated on April 20, 2026 at 6:51 pm
Tanner Horner in court
NBC DFW
Tanner Horner in court
In the third week of Tanner Horner’s trial for the kidnapping and killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand, the jury will not be in the courtroom for the next couple of days as attorneys work to narrow down their final witnesses.
On Monday, attorneys questioned four doctors via Zoom — all of whom have evaluated Tanner Horner and are expected to testify for the defense.
Throughout the trial, Horner’s life and actions have been closely examined. He has shown little emotion at times, while appearing visibly bothered in others, as he awaits a decision that could result in life in prison or the death penalty.
The doctors testified that Horner suffers from multiple medical and developmental conditions, including severe, irreversible lead poisoning, low testosterone, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other disorders linked to his mother drinking during pregnancy. They also said he is on the autism spectrum.
The defense argues those diagnoses provide important context for Horner’s mental health and developmental delays, which jurors will be asked to consider during sentencing.
One expert described Horner as having “pretty serious things wrong with his brain.”
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Another said he “cannot negotiate demands of the real world,” but does understand right from wrong and he admitted guilt.
Each witness emphasized that their testimony is not intended to excuse Horner’s actions, but rather to offer a clinical perspective on how his life experiences and upbringing shaped who he is today.
When the jury returns on Wednesday, more testimony is expected about Horner’s past, including allegations that he was sexually assaulted and neglected by his mother.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.