Pressly Murder Suspect Curtis Vance Speaks Out on Evidence

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.

The defense opted against calling Curtis Lavelle Vance to testify in his defense. Vance, 29, has pleaded not guilty to murder, rape and burglary. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Closing arguments were set for Wednesday morning. The panel could begin discussing the case Wednesday afternoon.

"Now is the time it gets tense," Pulaski County Circuit Judge Piazza told jurors as they gathered Wednesday. About 80-100 people filled much of the courtroom, including many from KATV, where Pressly was a morning show co-host. Piazza warned the crowd to check their emotions.

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.

In their limited defense, Vance's attorneys also questioned Police Chief Stuart Thomas whether officers explored multiple theories. He said they had. DNA specialists were recalled to the stand to discuss genetic evidence gathered at the scene that didn't have a match.

The defense wanted to call two doctors to testify about whether Vance has a low IQ and whether he would be susceptible to police officers attempting to win a confession. Piazza heard from the doctors outside the jury's presence late Tuesday and said that after hearing them, he was convinced their testimony would violate an Arkansas Supreme Court standard that says only juries should weigh a suspect's statements.

Prosecutors had rested their capital murder case Tuesday against Vance after testimony from the state's deputy medical examiner.

Dr. Stephen Erickson said an examination of Pressly's body after her death revealed that her face shattered "like an egg" during the attack. Erickson said some type of object likely was used during the attack -- the butt of a pistol or perhaps some type of club.

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

Pressly, 26, was the co-host of a morning TV show who had a bit part in the President Bush biopic "W." She 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.

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.

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.