UPDATED 4:48 p.m. 11/4/09: Murdered KATV Anchor Anne Pressly’s Mom Gives Emotional Trial Testimony
By CHUCK BARTELS
Associated Press WriterLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- In emotional testimony Wednesday, the mother of slain television anchorwoman Anne Pressly described for jurors how she found her daughter bloodied and bruised after a violent attack a year ago.
At the trial of Curtis Vance, who has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and other charges, Patti Cannady said her only child weakly raised an arm but could only moan while struggling to breathe.
In opening statements, Prosecutor Larry Jegley said DNA evidence would tie Vance to Pressly's death. Vance's lawyer said police and prosecutors were under pressure to arrest a suspect last year and that they picked up the wrong man.
Vance could face the death penalty if convicted. The trial may last two weeks.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
UPDATED 1:42 p.m. 11/4/09: Jury Seated in Trial for Murdered KATV Anchor Anne Pressly
By CHUCK BARTELS
Associated Press WriterLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Twelve jurors and two alternates have been seated for the capital murder trial of a man charged in last year's death of Arkansas television personality Anne Pressly.
Curtis Vance of Marianna has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges. The judge and lawyers took the better part of three days to seat a panel that will hear the high-profile case.
Circuit Judge Chris Piazza had wanted to begin hearing from lawyers and witnesses this morning, but jury selection hit a snag when a juror picked Tuesday said Wednesday he couldn't vote for the death penalty. The final two jurors, plus two alternates, were selected late this morning and early this afternoon.
The trial could take two weeks.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Juror In TV Anchor Case Won't Vote For Execution
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- The jury panel for a high-profile murder trial was reduced by one Wednesday after a juror said he could not vote for the death penalty.
The move leaves the court needing two jurors and two alternates for the trial of Curtis Vance, who has pleaded not guilty in last year's death of Little Rock TV personality Anne Pressly.
The juror, a Catholic, told the judge Tuesday he would consider the full range of penalties if Vance is convicted. In court Wednesday, the man said that, after reflection overnight, he could not vote for Vance's execution. The Catholic church opposes executions in nearly all cases.
Judge Chris Piazza excused the man from the panel, dropping the number of jurors to 10.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
