local
Tanner Horner's defense says media attention prevented a fair trial in murder case
By Juan Carlos Chaoui at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
Defense attorneys for Tanner Horner, the former FedEx driver who was sentenced to death in May for the murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, have filed a motion for a new trial.
The motion argues that the widespread media coverage surrounding the case intimidated key witnesses, who later refused...
Key takeaway On June 1, Judge George Gallagher, who oversaw the murder trial, signed a protective order governing Horner’s motion for a new trial and related exhibits.
Why this matters in Frisco News
The motion for a new trial in the Tanner Horner case raises questions about the impact of intense media scrutiny on the pursuit of justice in high-profile cases like this one in North Texas. As the case unfolded, many in Frisco and surrounding communities were deeply affected by the tragedy of Athena Strand's murder, and the subsequent trial was closely followed by local residents. The defense team's argument that widespread media coverage intimidated key witnesses and compromised Horner's right to a fair trial will be carefully considered by the court. Given the severity of the sentence imposed on Horner, it is crucial that the legal process is seen as fair and impartial, not only for the accused but also for the community's trust in the justice system. The court's decision on this motion will be closely watched by those in Frisco and beyond who have been following this case.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local . Frisco News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Defense attorneys for Tanner Horner, the former FedEx driver who was sentenced to death in May for the murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand, have filed a motion for a new trial.
The motion argues that the widespread media coverage surrounding the case intimidated key witnesses, who later refused...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Juan Carlos Chaoui at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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