Tanner Horner's attempt to secure a new trial after receiving the death penalty for the 2022 murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand has failed, but his separate appeal against the sentence remains active. His lawyers argued that intense media coverage had intimidated potential witnesses and prevented him from receiving a fair trial. Judge George Gallagher did not sign an order granting the request, resulting in its automatic denial under Texas law.
The ruling means Horner will not receive a new trial through that motion, although his automatic death-penalty appeal continues before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
