A Texas man accused of strangling a 7-year-old girl made an unusual request during a police interrogation, offering information about the crime in exchange for time with his family. Tanner Horner, a 34-year-old FedEx driver, asked to be allowed to spend a month with his son over the Christmas holiday, according to video footage shown to a jury on Thursday.

The footage, recorded during a 2022 interrogation, captures Horner attempting to negotiate with investigators. He acknowledged that law enforcement likely had a list of questions for him and expressed a willingness to cooperate fully if he could secure the time he requested. "There’s only one thing in this world that I want," Horner said in the video, adding, "If you give me a month with my family, so I can have Christmas with my son, I’ll tell you everything."

Horner proposed that authorities could impose restrictions such as wearing an ankle monitor, GPS tracking, or regular check-ins to ensure compliance. Despite this offer, he remains in custody, facing potential charges that could result in the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The case involves the murder of Athena Strand, a 7-year-old girl whose death prompted a high-profile investigation in Texas. Horner’s role as a FedEx driver and the circumstances of the killing have drawn significant public attention. The negotiations revealed during the interrogation provide insight into his mindset following the crime, highlighting his focus on securing family time amid the legal proceedings.

Prosecutors contend that Horner’s actions warrant the most severe penalties under the law, while defense arguments have yet to be fully disclosed in the current phase of the trial. The footage is part of the evidence being presented to the jury as they evaluate the case.

Authorities have not commented further on the negotiation attempt or whether Horner’s request influenced the investigation or prosecution strategies. The trial continues as jurors review all presented materials to reach a verdict.