[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----ARKANSAS

[Rick Halperin]

Nov. 28



ARKANSAS:

Anchor murder suspect could face death penalty


Officials say forensic evidence gathered at the home of Anne Pressly led
police to a man already suspected of raping a school teacher in eastern
Arkansas.

Police say 28-year-old Curtis Lavelle Vance of Marianna offered a DNA
sample to detectives, and a test by the state Crime Laboratory linked
Vance to the teacher's rape and Pressly's death.

Pulaski County District Judge Lee Munson ordered Vance to be held without
bond on a capital murder charge over Pressly's death.

During a brief hearing at the Pulaski County jail, Vance said nothing
while a public defender asked for a bond amount to be set. Vance did not
enter a plea at the hearing. If convicted of capital murder, Vance could
face either a life sentence or the death penalty.

Marianna Police Detective Carl McCree told the Times-Herald of Forrest
City and Little Rock television station KLRT that Vance faces rape and
residential burglary charges.

McCree did not return repeated phone calls Friday from The Associated
Press.

Vance was arrested Wednesday night for the October 20th attack on Pressly,
who was a morning anchorwoman for Little Rock's ABC affiliate, KATV.

(source: Associated Press)