Judge denies Tanner Horner’s request for new trial

Tanner Horner’s request for a new trial has been denied.The former FedEx delivery driver was sentenced to death earlier this year for the murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Wise County.Tanner Horner AppealAccording to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the judge had until July 20 to rule on a motion for a new trial.Horner’s attorneys claimed some key witnesses refused to testify because of the media coverage of the trial. They said it made it impossible for Horner to get a fair trial.The Wise County District Attorney and state prosecutor requested the motion be denied, saying there is no rule barring media coverage of court cases.A court spokesperson told the Star Telegram that the judge opted not to sign the order, meaning the motion was automatically denied.Sentenced to DeathIt took jurors less than three hours to sentence Horner to death in May for Athena’s kidnapping and murder. He showed no emotion as he stood listening to the sentence. There were two special questions the jury face