Cops Tie Anchor's Alleged Killer to Rape

Nov. 28, 2008 — -- Forensic evidence in the case of a man charged with murdering a Little Rock, Ark., anchorwoman also links him to an April rape in eastern Arkansas, police said.

Marianna, Ark., Det. Carl McCree said when a state crime lab processed a DNA sample related to the April 21 rape and home invasion in Marianna, it eliminated his main suspect. But the lab notified authorities in both cities that they were searching for the same man.

Curtis Lavelle Vance, 28, of Marianna, Ark., who was arraigned today in the homicide of KATV anchor Anne Pressly, 26, voluntarily submitted a DNA sample this week after Little Rock police questioned him.

At McCree's suggestion, Little Rock police had interviewed Vance on Monday because Marianna police believed he could be responsible for some area burglaries.

"I told them he would be a good suspect for the case," McCree said. "[Little Rock police] interviewed him on the assault."

A day later, the DNA results officially linked Vance to Pressly's murder and matched evidence gathered in the case of a 32-year-old woman raped in the early morning hours of April 21.

"We got a positive hit on the 26th on my case and their case," McCree said.

Today, a Pulaski County, Ark., judge ordered Vance to be held without bond during a brief hearing. Vance said nothing in court, nor did he enter a plea.

But prior to the hearing, an officer said the evidence against Vance in the slain journalist's case was firm.

"We had forensics from the house. We had matches on that," Little Rock Police Lt. Terry Hastings said on "Good Morning America" today. "We have a very solid case against Mr. Vance."

If convicted, Vance could face the death penalty or a life sentence. Vance has yet to be arraigned on potential rape and residential burglary -- charges in the town 90 miles outside of Little Rock -- or talk to detectives there, but McCree said Vance would face a judge this week and be charged.

McCree said in the Marianna sexual assault, the assailant raped the victim, took her cell phone and $3.