Attorneys Weigh in on Vance Verdict

"The judge had to weigh the prejudicial value versus the probative value," said Memphis Defense Attorney, Arthur Horne.

By allowing testimony from a woman who says murder suspect Curtis Vance raped her at her home in Marianna, Arkansas, Horne says the judge greatly helped the prosecution's case.

Former Shelby County Circuit Court Judge, D'Army Bailey told us that though clearly a separate crime, the jury must have found the Marianna facts to be revealing, "Heavier evidentiary value in terms of of the prosecution showing methodology in the case in Marianna was similar to the one in Little Rock."

That's not the only evidence presented to jurors that made a big impression.

"People like DNA," Horne said.

The DNA in the murder trial of Little Rock Anchor, Anne Pressley case wasn't physically in court. But prosecutors say they collected one strand of hair matching Vance's inside Pressley's home where she was found beaten to death in October 2008. And while he didn't take the stand, there was an audio and video confession where Vance admitted to being in Pressley's home.

"With Vance being placed at the scene it was pretty damning," said Horne.

The defense however claimed the evidence wasn't enough to prove Vance beat and raped Pressley. Vance didn't take the stand, something attorney's say isn't an admission of guilt, although jurors sometimes want to hear from the accused.

"It may be that the lawyer says my client’s not going to hold up well under cross examination or he's likely to get baited into getting angry," explained Bailey.

Whatever strategic move is made, Bailey says Vance not taking the stand isn't what draws attention this time. He thinks the admissible evidence from the rape case in Marianna may be enough for an appeal.

"It's going to be looked at, in no uncertain terms, by the appellate courts," he said.