Man Convicted in Anchorwoman's Murder

An Arkansas jury deliberated just two hours before finding Curtis Lavelle Vance guilty of all counts in connection with the brutal beating death of a popular morning Little Rock television anchorwoman. The same jury began deliberating whether or not to impose the death penalty of life in prison for the murder of Anne Pressly.

Pressly was beaten during a home invasion robbery and never regained consciousness before she died five days later.

Vance was found guilty of capital murder, residential burglary, rape and theft of property from Pressly's home on Oct. 20, 2008.

During the trial testimony revealed that Vance went to Pressly's neighborhood to look for laptop computers to steal. He entered Pressly's home through an unlocked door that she left open for her dogs.

Beaten Pressly Was Unrecognizable

Dr. Therese McBride, an emergency room doctor at St. Vincent Infirmary testified that Pressly (left) was bleeding so badly that she thought the blonde woman was a redhead. Her skull and jaw were beaten so severely that she did not appear human, McBride told the jury.

Also during the trial, an expert DNA witness testified that a single hair found in Pressly's bedroom matched a DNA sample taken from Vance. The evidence also matched DNA from a rape case in Vance's hometown about six months prior to the Pressly murder. Vance has pleaded not guilty to the Marianna, Arkansas rape.

Vance's attorneys argued that their client was innocent and his taped confessions were illegally obtained.

The penalty phase of the trail began immediately after the verdict was read.

UPDATE: Vance was sentenced to life in prison after the jury voted Thursday, Nov. 12, for recommending life without parole instead of the death penalty.

See Also:
Jury Convicts Ark. Man in Death of TV Anchorwoman

Background:
The Murder of Anchorwoman Ann Pressly

What is Your Opinion?
Discuss The Anne Pressly Case

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