Jurors deliberate on whether man convicted in Arkansas TV anchor killing should be executed

Jury weighs death penalty in TV anchor killing

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A jury has begun deliberating whether to impose the death penalty on the man convicted of murder for the beating of an Arkansas TV anchorwoman.

Jurors began their deliberations Thursday evening, a day after they convicted Curtis Lavelle Vance of capital murder, rape, burglary and theft in the death of 26-year-old Anne Pressly.

Prosecutor Larry Jegley emphasized the brutality of the crime and asked the jury to bring two photos into the deliberation room: Pressly’s publicity shot for her job at KATV and one from her autopsy.

Defense attorney Katherine Streett urged jurors to have the “courage” to spare Vance’s life. She told them their decision will say as much about them as it does about Vance.

Jurors could decide to sentence Vance to life in prison without parole.