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Jury chooses life sentence in TV anchor killing

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The man convicted of killing Little Rock, Arkansas, television personality Anne Pressly has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The jury that convicted Curtis Vance of capital murder, rape and burglary in last year’s attack at Pressly’s home decided on the verdict Thursday night after hearing from Pressly’s mother, Vance’s family and doctors and social workers.

Under state law, jurors had to select either the death penalty or a life sentence.

Pressly died Oct. 25, 2008, five days after a brutal assault that crushed her face and left her gasping for air.

Vance’s mother testified Thursday that she was an abusive mother, and a doctor said Vance showed signs of paranoia. Pressly’s mother told jurors Wednesday what it was like to lose an only child.