HORNER MURDER TRIAL UPDATE

Jurors got their first look at the scene where Sabrina Schnoor’s body – and how she was discovered – in the second day of the murder trial of Jason Lee Horner, 41.

He is accused of shooting Schnoor, 25, on May 29, 2023, in Owatonna, and has pleaded not guilty to one count each of second-degree murder with intent-not premeditated, as well as a felony count of possessing a firearm after being convicted for a crime of violence.

Wednesday’s witness testimony included the description of events from May 30, 2023, when Schnoor’s friends realized she hadn’t returned from a trip to Owatonna to see Horner.

Using an app, they followed the “pings” that indicated where Schnoor’s phone was. It led them under an overpass near the Steele County Government Center at 630 Florence Ave., where they discovered her body about 10 p.m.

Using their cell phone flashlights, “we saw Sabrina laying there,” said Mollie Kaupa, a childhood friend of Schnoor’s.

She, Cody Engel and Tracey Clark got to within about 10 feet of the body, Kaupa said, “and we could see that her face was partially missing.”

As the men escorted Kaupa back to her vehicle, Engel called 911. The call was played for the jurors Wednesday.

“I’m really freaked out right now,” Engel told the dispatcher after telling her where they were.

He was transferred to the ambulance dispatcher, and described how they had tracked Schnoor to the area.

“She’s lying there,” Engel tells the dispatcher. “We think she’s dead. Her mouth is completely blown open and there’s blood everywhere.”

On cross-examination, Engel told defense attorney Barry Cattadoris that Schnoor’s body was bloated, and flies were coming out of her body.

He told prosecutor Mary Russell that the emotional effect of discovering Schnoor was “not good.”

Four members of the Owatonna Police Department also took the stand Wednesday, including Officer Kyle Martin, who documented the scene that night with photos from his body worn camera.

Jurors saw the photos, which included several of Schnoor, who was lying on her back. Her shirt was pulled up to her neck, leaving her bra exposed. Her face had a large open wound, and dried blood was visible around her head.

All seven witnesses denied touching or moving Schnoor or any of the items around her.

Testimony will continue Thursday, with court scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.