Murder trial of child moved from Wise County

The capital trial of a man accused of killing a 7-year-old girl in Wise County last year will be moved to Tarrant County, following a judge's decision Friday.

Tanner Horner is charged with the murder of Athena Strand after a package was delivered to the child's home in 2022, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

According to arrest records, Horner admitted to kidnapping the little girl after allegedly accidentally hitting her with his pickup truck. He claimed he strangled her because he was afraid she would tell her father about the accident. Despite his alleged confession, Horner has pleaded not guilty to both the murder and kidnapping charges.

Horner's defense attorneys requested a change of venue, citing the extensive pre-trial publicity surrounding the case, which they said could affect the possibility of an impartial jury in Wise County. During a hearing earlier this week, expert testimony from the defense emphasized that local media coverage had fostered a “presumption of guilt” against Horner, The Wise County Messenger reported.

Judge Brock Smith of the 271st District Court granted the defendant's motion, finding that Tarrant County was a better place for the trial than neighboring Jack County.

“The Court concludes that a transfer of the case to Jack County is not appropriate because Jack County has a much smaller population than Wise County and does not currently have courthouses that could adequately accommodate the trial of this case. The Court further concludes that conditions in Jack County, Texas, similar to those in Wise County necessitate this change of venue,” Smith said in his ruling.

Wise County District Attorney James Stainton, who presented affidavits from local citizens and counter-testimony from local experts during the hearing, expressed disappointment that Wise County residents would not have the opportunity to attend the hearing.

“I have always believed that the citizens of Wise County should try this case and that our citizens firmly believe in the Constitution and due process,” Stainton said in a written statement to the Wise County Messenger.

“The affidavits I have submitted are all from citizens and local leaders who know Wise County. The testimony of JD Clark and Randy Singleton was compelling. I am very disappointed that our citizens of Wise County will not be able to hear this case. Wherever this case is heard, my office will continue to fight for justice for Athena. This unfortunate geographic change will in no way change how we handle this case,” Stainton added.

A date for the hearing has not yet been set.