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(Little Rock, AR 11/12/09) An Arkansas jury sentenced convicted murderer Curtis Vance, 29, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of a popular Little Rock television anchor.
The day before, the jury convicted Vance for raping and beating to death 26-year-old Anne Pressly during a burglary on October 20, 2008.
The jury of six men and six women delibarated for 2 1/2 hours before coming to the unanimous decision to spare Vance from the death penalty. Silence spread through the courtroom as the sentence was read. Vance's family sat holding hands as Pressly's family sat attempting to reserve outward emotion.
In a media conference minutes after the sentencing, Pressly's step- father, Guy Cannady, spoke for the family. He said the family believes the justice system worked and agreed with the jury's decision but "there really aren't any winners."
Through tears, Patti Cannady told the jury the day before that she destroyed childhood pictures of her only daughter, Anne. Her testimony during sentencing (often considered a victim impact statement) ended with many in the courtroom also crying. At least two jurors and members of the media were among those in tears. Many of Pressly's co- workers at KATV filled the audience throughout the trial.
Vance's mother, Jackie Burnett, burst into tears as well during her testimony on Thursday. At one point, she asked to leave the courtroom when her emotions consumed her. She told the jury she was addicted to crack and was violent toward Vamce when he was a young child. She told News Channel 3's Shaun Chaiyabhat, she felt responsible for not raising Vance correctly, but his actions were done as an adult.
She said her heart goes out to Pressly's family and "I'm sorry for her great loss."
"It just doesn't mean anything anymore," says Pressly's friend and colleague, Melissa Dunbar-Gates. "He still made choices. He chose to drop out of high school, he chose to not get a job, he chose to attack Anne."
Vance can appeal within 30 days of his sentencing.
- Curtis Vance sentenced to life in prison without parole
- Curtis Vance, 29, convicted of capital murder in death of TV anchor Anne Pressly
- Vance also convited of residential burglary, theft, and rape
(Little Rock, AR 11/12/09) An Arkansas jury sentenced convicted murderer Curtis Vance, 29, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of a popular Little Rock television anchor.
The day before, the jury convicted Vance for raping and beating to death 26-year-old Anne Pressly during a burglary on October 20, 2008.
The jury of six men and six women delibarated for 2 1/2 hours before coming to the unanimous decision to spare Vance from the death penalty. Silence spread through the courtroom as the sentence was read. Vance's family sat holding hands as Pressly's family sat attempting to reserve outward emotion.
In a media conference minutes after the sentencing, Pressly's step- father, Guy Cannady, spoke for the family. He said the family believes the justice system worked and agreed with the jury's decision but "there really aren't any winners."
Through tears, Patti Cannady told the jury the day before that she destroyed childhood pictures of her only daughter, Anne. Her testimony during sentencing (often considered a victim impact statement) ended with many in the courtroom also crying. At least two jurors and members of the media were among those in tears. Many of Pressly's co- workers at KATV filled the audience throughout the trial.
Vance's mother, Jackie Burnett, burst into tears as well during her testimony on Thursday. At one point, she asked to leave the courtroom when her emotions consumed her. She told the jury she was addicted to crack and was violent toward Vamce when he was a young child. She told News Channel 3's Shaun Chaiyabhat, she felt responsible for not raising Vance correctly, but his actions were done as an adult.
She said her heart goes out to Pressly's family and "I'm sorry for her great loss."
"It just doesn't mean anything anymore," says Pressly's friend and colleague, Melissa Dunbar-Gates. "He still made choices. He chose to drop out of high school, he chose to not get a job, he chose to attack Anne."
Vance can appeal within 30 days of his sentencing.
