WISE COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF) – The man charged in the kidnapping and killing of 7-year-old Athena Strand entered a non guilty plea on Monday in a Wise County courtroom.
According to an arrest affidavit out of Wise County, then contracted FedEx driver Tanner Horner admitted to accidentally hitting Athena Strand with his truck before strangling her out of concern she would tell her parents she had been hit.
Attorney Benson Varghese represents Athena strand’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy in her civil suit and told reporters on Monday that Gandy was in the courtroom as Horner pleaded not guilty.
“It was probably one of the most difficult moments of her life to see the person who killed her daughter,” said Varghese. “But it was of grave importance for her to be there.”
Horner is facing both Kidnapping and Capital Murder charges.
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