3 months ago
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Wednesday's proceedings wrapped around 5:30 p.m. However, before it ended, the state called its first witnesses. The witnesses included people who came directly in contact with Anne Pressly.
The first police officer who went to Pressly's house after her attack took the stand. An ER doctor and nurse also testified. They all spoke about Pressly's condition saying she was covered in blood, struggling for air and was unrecognizable.
In emotional testimony, Anne Pressly's mother Patti Cannady also took the stand. She looked directly at the jurors. She described finding her only child covered in blood. Cannady went on to say she's still shocked to this day by what she saw. She said she heard her daughter moan while struggling to breathe.
Prior to the state calling the first of its witnesses, both the state and defense attorneys laid out their cases. Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley delivered the state's opening statement. The courtroom was nearly silent as he spoke for about 45 minutes. He says the state's case will center around DNA evidence that places Vance in Pressly's bedroom, Vance's repeated statements to Little Rock Police and good old-fashioned police work.
Attorney Lott Rolfe delivered the opening statement for the defense. He spoke for less than ten minutes. He says the defense's case will center around two words: probable cause. He went on to say police were in a rush to arrest someone, despite having weak evidence.
The 12 jurors seated and two alternates were selected by Wednesday afternoon. There are six women and six men on the jury. The alternates are a man and woman.
Judge Chris Piazza said he found it surprisingly easy to pick the jury despite the pretrial publicity.
Court is expected to begin Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, it took seven hours before lawyers agreed on a single new juror, and eventually three were selected, bringing the total to 11. However, one juror who was selected dropped out Wednesday because he said that he could not vote for the death penalty after all. Monday's jury selection lasted more than 11 hours and eight jurors were selected.
In capital murder trials, the defense gets 12 juror strikes and the prosecution gets 10. These exclude dismissals from the judge for cause. These factor into the interviewing process.
Pressly was found raped and beaten in her Little Rock home in October 2008. She never regained consciousness.
Vance gave police four taped statements, three audio and one video. His story changed with each statement, including one in which he blamed two others for her rape and murder.
Vance is charged with capital murder, rape and burglary. He has pleaded not guilty. He could face the death penalty if convicted. The trial started Monday and Judge Piazza said it could last two weeks.
