Prosecution rests in trial over anchorwoman death

By CHUCK BARTELS

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A medical examiner says an Arkansas TV anchorwoman was beaten so severely that one blow knocked a tooth out of her mouth and another shoved her jaw to the back of her head.

Enlarge photo

Curtis Lavelle Vance, on trial for the 2008 beating death of an Arkansas television anchorwoman, arrives at the Pulaski County Court House in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

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Dr. Stephen Erickson testified Tuesday in the capital murder trial of Curtis Lavelle Vance, who is charged with killing TV host Anne Pressly. He was the last witness before prosecutors rested their case.

Vance has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers began their defense by asking crime scene technicians about what they didn't find at the scene, and also asked crime lab workers about DNA evidence gathered that didn't seem to have a match.

Jurors could start deliberating the case Wednesday. Vance could face the death penalty if convicted.

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November 10, 2009 05:36 PM EST

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