Man accused of killing Ark. TV anchorwoman says police tricked him into confessions

Suspect in TV anchor death says police tricked him

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The man accused of killing an Arkansas TV anchorwoman says police trickery led him to tell investigators different versions of what happened the night she was attacked at her home.

Curtis Vance is charged in last October’s beating death of KATV journalist Anne Pressly and faces a number of other accusations. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a Nov. 2 trial.

At an evidence hearing Thursday, Vance said officers threatened him with the death penalty to win a confession, but tapes of police interviews don’t include a reference to penalties Vance might face.

Vance took the stand as his defense team is trying to keep jurors from hearing what police say are taped confessions. A judge could rule later Thursday on whether the evidence can be used at trial.