Little Rock, AR -
FAST FACTS:
dennis.turner@wreg.com
( Little Rock, AR 11/2/2009) Jury selection continues in the case of a Lee County man accused in the beating death of a Little Rock TV reporter.
Security is super-tight at the trial of 29-year-old Curtis Vance, and the court is taking unprecedented steps to maintain a fair trial.
This is a very unusual case on many levels.
First, it features tighter security than any Arkansas cases most here can remember, including death penalty cases.
Second, this case has become a very personal one for a number of Arkansans.
Carol Dipert lost her daughter in a murder 4 years ago in Russelville. She found a friend in TV reporter Anne Pressly who came to visit.
Now, losing Pressly seems like losing a daughter all over again. "She was a really sweet person, good Christian, she was really a good interviewer, and a friend." she explained.
Pressly was found severely beaten last October, and eventually died. Within weeks, Police arrested 29-year-old Curtis Vance of Marianna.
Even as the arrest took place, Dipert says the focus remained on people's positive feelings for Pressly. "You know, she touched a lot of people. She worked hard as a reporter. She was just a good person. A lot of people knew her and loved her," said Dipert.
The case got progressively more sensational with every development.
First, Vance's multiple statements to police. One put him at the house, and one even admitted to her murder.
DNA later tied him to the crime, and a rape case in Lee County. The Lee County victim is scheduled to testify in the Vance trial.
Attorneys admit that's hard to overcome, but that a stirring closing argument might keep Vance from Death row.
"We had a case in Desha County in Osborne and one juror of the 12 refused to give the death penalty. So you can affect an individual and by affecting that individual, affect the outcome." said North Little Rock Attorney Steve Morley.
Morley has fought the good fight in Arkansas courtrooms for 30 years and says the Curtis Vance case is one of the toughest he's seen.
He says probably the biggest hurdle in this case, is that it involves the murder of a beloved public figure, TV reporter Anne Pressly. "I know from a prosecutorial standpoint they're very concerned about publicity that might ultimately make for a basis for overturning a verdict." he explained.
To that end, security at the Pulaski County Courthouse is tighter than ever. No recording devices are allowed anywhere near the courtroom which is locked during the proceedings. "You can about feel it around the courthouse today there's a heightened sense of awareness." said Morley, of the atmosphere.
Then there's the monumental task of defending Vance. Judge Chris Piazza will allow statements from Vance that put him in Pressly's house, and in one case, have him admitting to her killing.
"I know they have a daunting task with some of the admissions coming in and DNA, that's something jurors seem to look for." said Morley.
Even so, many people with a personal connection, like Carol Dipert, have to see this case unfold for themselves. " to see what he looks like and maybe get a little closure if possible. I don't know if it's possible." said Dipert, who hopes to view the trial and meet, and console Pressly's mother.
- Pressly Loved by Those She Touched
- Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys Have Tough Job, say Lawyers
- Death Penalty Could Hinge on Closing Argument
dennis.turner@wreg.com
( Little Rock, AR 11/2/2009) Jury selection continues in the case of a Lee County man accused in the beating death of a Little Rock TV reporter.
Security is super-tight at the trial of 29-year-old Curtis Vance, and the court is taking unprecedented steps to maintain a fair trial.
This is a very unusual case on many levels.
First, it features tighter security than any Arkansas cases most here can remember, including death penalty cases.
Second, this case has become a very personal one for a number of Arkansans.
Carol Dipert lost her daughter in a murder 4 years ago in Russelville. She found a friend in TV reporter Anne Pressly who came to visit.
Now, losing Pressly seems like losing a daughter all over again. "She was a really sweet person, good Christian, she was really a good interviewer, and a friend." she explained.
Pressly was found severely beaten last October, and eventually died. Within weeks, Police arrested 29-year-old Curtis Vance of Marianna.
Even as the arrest took place, Dipert says the focus remained on people's positive feelings for Pressly. "You know, she touched a lot of people. She worked hard as a reporter. She was just a good person. A lot of people knew her and loved her," said Dipert.
The case got progressively more sensational with every development.
First, Vance's multiple statements to police. One put him at the house, and one even admitted to her murder.
DNA later tied him to the crime, and a rape case in Lee County. The Lee County victim is scheduled to testify in the Vance trial.
Attorneys admit that's hard to overcome, but that a stirring closing argument might keep Vance from Death row.
"We had a case in Desha County in Osborne and one juror of the 12 refused to give the death penalty. So you can affect an individual and by affecting that individual, affect the outcome." said North Little Rock Attorney Steve Morley.
Morley has fought the good fight in Arkansas courtrooms for 30 years and says the Curtis Vance case is one of the toughest he's seen.
He says probably the biggest hurdle in this case, is that it involves the murder of a beloved public figure, TV reporter Anne Pressly. "I know from a prosecutorial standpoint they're very concerned about publicity that might ultimately make for a basis for overturning a verdict." he explained.
To that end, security at the Pulaski County Courthouse is tighter than ever. No recording devices are allowed anywhere near the courtroom which is locked during the proceedings. "You can about feel it around the courthouse today there's a heightened sense of awareness." said Morley, of the atmosphere.
Then there's the monumental task of defending Vance. Judge Chris Piazza will allow statements from Vance that put him in Pressly's house, and in one case, have him admitting to her killing.
"I know they have a daunting task with some of the admissions coming in and DNA, that's something jurors seem to look for." said Morley.
Even so, many people with a personal connection, like Carol Dipert, have to see this case unfold for themselves. " to see what he looks like and maybe get a little closure if possible. I don't know if it's possible." said Dipert, who hopes to view the trial and meet, and console Pressly's mother.
