Police nab suspect in anchorwoman Anne Pressly's death (CONVICTED)

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http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/111109_pressly+murder+suspect+curtis+vance+speaks+out+on+evidence
Pressly Murder Suspect Curtis Vance Speaks Out on Evidence

Updated: Wednesday, 11 Nov 2009, 9:28 AM CST
Published : Wednesday, 11 Nov 2009, 9:28 AM CST
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The defense continues to present their case Wednesday in the murder trial of Curtis Vance, accused of raping and beating to death Little Rock news anchor Anne Pressly. FOX13's Jill Monier spoke with Vance as he was entering the courtroom.

Vance referred to an evidence bag supposedly containing his hair from the murder scene that came up empty in court. Prosecutors had to call lab technicians as witnesses to testify that Vance's hair was being stored at the crime lab.

For continuing coverage of the trial throughout the day you can follow Jill Monier on Twitter , plus find full reports on FOX13 News at 5 & 9 and right here on MyFoxMemphis.com.
twitter updates.   http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/generic/community/FOX13_News_Tweets

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http://www.kfsm.com/news/sns-ap-ar--tvanchorattacked-courtroom,0,66042.story
Judge tells jurors about to discuss TV anchor case: 'Now is the time it gets tense'

CHUCK BARTELS Associated Press Writer

9:49 AM CST, November 11, 2009
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A circuit judge has told jurors hearing the capital murder trial of Curtis Lavelle Vance that "now is the time it gets tense."

Lawyers met with the judge Wednesday morning in advance of closing arguments and jury deliberations.

Vance has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in last year's death of KATV anchorwoman Anne Pressly, and could face the death penalty if convicted. Nearly 100 people gathered in Judge Chris Piazza's courtroom, including many from KATV. Piazza warned the crowd not to display their emotions.

Pressly was severely beaten Oct. 20, 2008, and died five days later.

Piazza is to give the jury instructions, then the panel will hear from prosecutors and defense lawyers.

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jill_monier
about a minute ago
pressly case now im the jury's hands.
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/generic/community/FOX13_News_Tweets

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http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11485952
Defense says evidence lacking in TV anchor case

Associated Press - November 11, 2009 1:54 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A defense lawyer for the man accused of killing television personality Anne Pressly said the evidence in the case cannot add up to a conviction.

Curtis Lavelle Vance of Marianna has pleaded not guilty to capital murder, rape and burglary charges in an Oct. 20, 2008, attack. He faces the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors called Vance a predator, but defense lawyer Teri Chambers said there were too many holes in the state's case. She said tests on some hair found at Pressly's home were not precise enough. She also repeated claims that police fed Vance information about the case so he would give it back in a confession.

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http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=94278&catid=238
Curtis Vance Murder Trial: Jury Now In Deliberations
 Ashley Blackstone  Ebone' Mone't  Monika  Rued     1 min ago
The jury has been given their instructions in the Curtis Vance murder trial and are now in deliberations. Judge Chris Piazza told jurors earlier that "now is the time it gets tense."
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Vance has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in last year's death of KATV anchorwoman Anne Pressly, and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutor John Johnson gave the state's closing. THV's Ebone Monet says he was slow and deliberate and briefly summarized their evidence. He described Vance as a scavenger and predator. He pointed to Vance and said, "This is the person who makes the dogs bark at night."

Johnson said Vance was a predator on the night Pressly was killed and that the Marianna man attacked the woman after she had fallen asleep in bed while working on her laptop computer.

However, defense lawyer Teri Chambers said in her closing that there were too many holes in the state's case. She said tests on some hair found at Pressly's home were not precise enough. She also repeated claims that police fed Vance information about the case so he would give it back in a confession.

Nearly 100 people are gathered in Piazza's courtroom, including many from KATV. One front row is lined with Little Rock police officers who testified, including the police chief. The other with Pressly's family. However, Pressly's mother, Patty Cannady, and Vance's mother, Jacqueline Burnett, are not in the courtroom.

Piazza warned the crowd not to display their emotions.
Pressly was severely beaten Oct. 20, 2008, and died five days later.

THV's Ebone Monet remains in the courtroom. When the verdict comes down, Today's THV will be break in with live coverage from the Pulaski County Courthouse. Stay tuned to Today's THV and todaysthv.com for more.

[Edward]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  —  One blow ruined her smile and others crushed the middle of her face, but the attack on television personality Anne Pressly didn't end until after her jaw was forced to the back of her head and cut off blood flow to her brain, a medical examiner said Tuesday.

Prosecutors rested their capital murder case against Curtis Lavelle Vance, 29, after testimony from the state's deputy medical examiner, who spoke about Pressly's final moments of consciousness.

Vance, of Marianna, has pleaded not guilty to murder, rape and burglary. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Defense lawyers questioned crime scene technicians about where they did — and did not — find blood, and asked Police Chief Stuart Thomas whether officers explored multiple theories. He said they had.

DNA specialists initially questioned by prosecutors were recalled to the stand to discuss genetic evidence gathered at the scene that didn't have a match.

Vance's legal team said it may call two additional witnesses Wednesday, then expects to rest. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza scheduled a court session Wednesday despite the rest of the courthouse being closed for Veterans Day, and jurors could begin deliberations by the end of the day.

Dr. Stephen Erickson said an examination of Pressly's body after her death revealed that her face shattered "like an egg" during the attack. "I could feel crunchiness" while examining Pressly's face, he said. A photo he used showed her nose pushed to one side.

Erickson said some type of object likely was used during the attack — the butt of a pistol or perhaps some type of club.

Pressly, the co-host of a morning TV show who had a bit part in the President Bush biopic "W," was hit so hard that a tooth — root intact — flew to her bedroom floor. Another blow crushed bones in the middle of her face. Another shoved her jaw backward, leaving her brain starved for blood.

Injuries like Pressly's require a "high degree" of force — and end with a high degree of mortality, Erickson said.

Pressly, 26, was attacked early Oct. 20, 2008, at her home in Little Rock. Her mother, unable to reach Pressly by telephone, found her daughter shortly before she was due on KATV's "Daybreak" program.

CT scans taken after the attack showed that her swollen brain gradually died. By Oct. 25, 2008, the day Pressly died, her brain was so swollen that no blood could enter.

Erickson said it was possible that Pressly felt pain even after the attack — even if she couldn't have responded to anyone.

The examiner also said Pressly's left forearm had an abrasion, consistent with being held tightly, and that her left hand was swollen, blue and broken in five places.

Erickson said Pressly had injuries consistent with being raped. Defense lawyer Katherine Street, however, questioned whether they could have been caused by a medical examination. Erickson said it was possible, but said it appeared they were inflicted about the time of the attack.

On a tape played for jurors Monday, Vance told a police detective that he beat Pressly with a piece of wood that he found in her backyard — but never explained why. "I lose control, she lose control," Vance said in the February interview.

Police witnesses said DNA evidence linked Vance to Pressly's death and to a Marianna rape case in which he has pleaded not guilty.

The defense has said police duped Vance into confessing and giving officers a DNA sample to compare with evidence in the case.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,573826,00.html?test=latestnews

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Justice for Anne   

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http://www.katv.com/news/stories/1109/677189.html

text size: A | A | A
Piazza Boots Reporter From Courtroom for Texting
posted 11/11/09 2:02 pm
Little Rock - A judge ordered a Tennessee reporter removed from his courtroom Wednesday, saying a clerk had discovered the woman was sending text messages during the trial of a man charged with killing KATV's Anne Pressly.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza said he considered holding WHBQ reporter Jill Monier in contempt of court, but there was no one to detain her. Except for the trial of Curtis Vance, the courthouse in Little Rock was closed Wednesday.
Piazza told the reporter, "Go back to Memphis and we will see you another time."

There was no immediate comment from the station.

The judge has allowed cell phones in his courtroom, but directed that they remain off. Reporters were asked to call in notes from the trial until after they had left his courtroom.

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HLN reporting that Curtis Vance is guilty!!   
 

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BLOCKED WEBSITE

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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,574188,00.html
Arkansas Man Found Guilty of TV Anchor's Beating Murder

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —  A jury has convicted a man of capital murder in the death of an Arkansas television anchorwoman beaten so badly her face was shattered.

The panel must now decide whether 29-year-old Curtis Lavelle Vance should be executed for the crime or should spend the rest of his life in prison.

The jury also convicted him of rape and burglary charges.

Prosecution witnesses said DNA evidence linked Vance to Anne Pressly's death and to a separate rape case in which he has pleaded not guilty.

The defense had said police duped Vance into confessing and giving officers a DNA sample to compare with evidence in the case.

Pressly never regained consciousness and died five days after the Oct. 20, 2008, attack at her home.

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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g_tZGnycBt2OFC1yBRi421uBcYTQD9BTSTCG4
Jury weighs death penalty in TV anchorwoman case

By CHUCK BARTELS (AP) – 2 hours ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A jury that convicted a man of capital murder in the beating death of an Arkansas TV anchorwoman is now weighing whether to impose the death penalty.

Jurors will meet again Thursday, a day after convicting Curtis Lavelle Vance of murder, rape and other charges. Jurors also could choose life in prison without parole.

KATV host Anne Pressly was attacked in her Little Rock home on Oct. 20, 2008. She never regained consciousness and died five days later. Prosecutors said Vance told police he went to her neighborhood looking to steal laptop computers.

On Wednesday, a Human Services Department attorney spoke about Vance's troubled youth. Pressly's mother said she ripped up family photos because she had no one to give them to after her only child's death.

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http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/388638-KATV_Anchor_s_Killer_Convicted.php
KATV Anchor's Killer Convicted
Jury will decide if Vance will live
By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/12/2009 10:01:58 AM
Curtis Lavelle Vance was convicted of capital murder for the beating of KATV Little Rock anchor Anne Pressly. The AP reports that the same jury that found him guilty will now hear testimony before deciding if Vance will receive the death penalty.

Pressly, who was 26, was attacked in her home Oct. 20, 2008 and never regained consciousness. Vance, 29, was also convicted of residential burglary, rape and theft of property. He told police he was in Pressly's neighborhood to steal laptop computers from homes.

After the verdict was announced, Pressly's mother, Patti Cannady, said "Praise God, praise God," and began to cry.

Cannady had found Pressly the morning after the beating, when the morning anchor had failed to respond to her mother's daily wakeup call.

KATV is selling a book about Pressly, called Making Memories: The Celebration of the Life of Anne Pressly, with the proceeds going to a broadcasting scholarship in her name. News Director Randy Dixon and anchor Christina Munoz authored the book.
News of Vance's conviction had the Prayer For Anne Pressly Facebook page abuzz today. "We miss her so much in our home on the t.v.!!!" wrote one viewer. "She became a part of our daily life as she did everyone in Arkansas. She will always live on in our hearts."

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http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/national/Death_Penalty_Weighed_in_Murder_of_TV_Anchor_04788399
Death Penalty Weighed in Murder of TV Anchor

Updated: Thursday, 12 Nov 2009, 9:16 AM CST
Published : Thursday, 12 Nov 2009, 3:17 AM CST

A jury that convicted a man of capital murder in the beating death of an Arkansas TV anchorwoman will weigh Thursday whether to impose the death penalty.

Jurors found Curtis Lavelle Vance guilty Wednesday in an assault on KATV host Anne Pressly at her Little Rock bungalow on Oct. 20, 2008. The attack shattered her face and sent her into a coma. Pressly never regained consciousness and died five days later.

Vance, 29, of Marianna, also was convicted of residential burglary along with rape and theft of property.

Jurors deciding on his penalty could also sentence him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. If the jury cannot settle on a penalty, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza must impose the life sentence.

Prosecution witnesses said DNA evidence linked Vance to Pressly's death and to a separate rape case in which he has pleaded not guilty. The defense has said police duped Vance into confessing and giving officers a DNA sample to compare with evidence in the case.

During the penalty phase that began Wednesday, Pressly's mother, Patti Cannady, said that after the death of her only child she ripped up many family photos because she didn't have anyone to give them to.
Oh, Lord Jesus, how I wish it were me and not Anne," Cannady said.

A lawyer for the state Department of Human Services read from agency documents that revealed a troubled youth for Vance. One of Vance's aunts also testified that Vance's mother had been addicted to crack and lived for a time in a Memphis, Tenn., homeless shelter after asking her mother to raise her children.

As Vance left the courthouse, family members shouted "Love ya, Lavelle!" and he said "Love you!"

Then he shouted, "It's a corrupted system!"

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http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/18499.html
Conviction in Arkansas anchor murder
2009-11-12 12:26:00
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A year ago KATV-TV (ABC) Little Rock reported that its own news anchor, Anne Pressly, had been murdered in her home. This week the station was reporting on a conviction in the case.

Crutis Lavelle Vance was found guilty of capital murder, rape and burglary in Pressly’s beating death. The same jury which convicted him will now decide whether Vance will receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole. His attorney plans an appeal, regardless.

KATV raised $50,000 for a reward fund, and the station said the Little Rock police department will decide how it is distributed. The station also plans to sell a book about Pressly to fund a broadcast school scholarship in her name.

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what a horrific death Anne suffered...
One can only hope that your body puts you in a "state" that you don't feel after awhile....she must have been in so much pain and so afraid...

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http://www.wreg.com/news/sns-ap-us--tvanchorattacked-vancesmother,0,3751075.story
Mother of Curtis Vance tells jurors she was abusive, used drugs

By Associated Press

2:35 PM CST, November 12, 2009
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The mother of the man convicted of killing a TV anchorwoman told jurors considering whether he will live or die that she was an abusive mother who had a number of run-ins with the law.

Jacqueline Vance Burnett, the mother of Curtis Vance, said she deliberately became pregnant as a teenager so she would be kicked out of her all-girls high school in Chicago. She says she started using crack cocaine after her husband became unfaithful and her sister moved into her home.

Burnett also told jurors that she would buy drugs with money her children received from Social Security after their fathers died and that she had spent time in prison for burglary, forgery and theft.

The sentencing phase against Vance continued Thursday afternoon, a day after he was convicted in the death of Anne Pressly.

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what a horrific death Anne suffered...
One can only hope that your body puts you in a "state" that you don't feel after awhile....she must have been in so much pain and so afraid...

I know.    Can you imagine what goes through her mother's mind everyday.That scene must play over and over.To find you child lying there,and unable to cry out for help.