FedEx driver Tanner Horner sang during killing, court audio shows

Court audio played at trial reportedly captured FedEx driver Tanner Horner singing while a young child was in his delivery truck; Horner has pleaded guilty and the jury is now weighing whether to impose the death penalty.

Courtroom audio was played for jurors that officials say captured FedEx driver Tanner Horner singing while a young girl was in his delivery truck. Horner has pleaded guilty to kidnapping the child from her home in late 2022 and has admitted to causing her death. The jury is now deciding between the death penalty or life imprisonment. The trial is paused ahead of scheduled Daubert hearings on expert testimony. Key details: - The audio was presented to jurors during the trial and was described in court as capturing Horner singing during the incident. - Tanner Horner pleaded guilty on April 7 to kidnapping the seven-year-old victim, identified as Athena Strand, and has admitted to causing her death. - The judge and attorneys will meet for Daubert hearings before the jury hears certain expert testimony, and under Texas law a death-penalty decision must be unanimous. Summary: Court evidence presented this week included audio that prosecutors say captured the defendant singing while the victim was in his truck. Horner has pleaded guilty and faces a jury decision between the death penalty and life behind bars. The trial is temporarily paused while the court addresses the admissibility of expert testimony, with hearings scheduled before proceedings resume.