Tanner Horner wrote a note to Athena Strand's family before his trial

A jury heard that Tanner Horner wrote an apology letter to the family of seven-year-old Athena Strand while jailed after a 2023 suicide attempt; his trial will decide between the death penalty and life in prison.

Tanner Horner wrote an apology to the family of seven-year-old Athena Strand, a jury heard Monday. The note was reportedly found in his jail cell after a 2023 suicide attempt while he awaited trial. Horner has acknowledged abducting and killing the child in 2022, and the current trial will determine his sentence. Key details: - The letter reportedly apologized for taking their "little angel" and included the line, "She didn't deserve it." - The writings were found after a 2023 suicide attempt while Horner was in custody awaiting trial. - Court records state Horner has admitted to abducting and killing Athena after a 2022 delivery. - Jurors are considering whether to sentence Horner to the death penalty or life in prison. Summary: A jury was presented with writings that included an apology to Athena Strand's family, found after a 2023 suicide attempt in custody. The trial will decide whether Horner receives the death penalty or life in prison. Further procedural steps and sentencing outcomes are part of the ongoing trial record.