Anne Pressly's Parents Speak: Murder's Life Sentence May Be Harsher Than Death

Nov. 16, 2009— -- The parents of slain local TV news anchorwoman Anne Pressly said today that while they were initially disappointed that a jury sentenced her killer to life in prison instead of death, they now accept that it was the best choice.

"In many ways, it may, in fact, be a harsher sentence in the long run than death," Pressly's father, Guy Cannady, told "Good Morning America" today in an exclusive interview.

Cannady and his wife, Patti Cannady, had asked the jury to sentence Curtis Vance to death as punishment for the brutal rape, beating and murder of their daughter.

Patti Cannady told "GMA" that she had made a special request of the defense team after Vance's conviction -- that it look her in the eyes.

"I said, 'You protected the murderer of my daughter, and she had no protection,'" she said. "She was slain like a lamb."

Vance's mother testified at his trial that she had abused him, and a psychiatrist said Vance showed signs of paranoia. The combination of those two testimonies apparently swayed the jury to give Vance life without parole instead of the death penalty.

The jury deliberated last week for only a few hours before finding Vance guilty.

"It was a little bit unexpected at first. Although, after we thought about it, we have complete faith in the criminal justice system," Guy Cannady said, adding that the actual conviction was "far and away the most important aspect."

Patti Cannady said she is grateful that her last words to her daughter were that she loved her.

"She just deserves to be here rather than us," she said.

In an effort to draw attention to Pressly's life and career and away from her vicious murder, Pressly's colleagues released the book "Making Memories, A Celebration of the Life of Anne Pressly."

Proceeds will benefit the Anne Pressly Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will assist women pursuing careers in broadcast journalism.

Through the book and scholarship, Patti Cannady said, "her name will live on forever."

"She lived life to the fullest. She was passionate and compassionate," Guy Cannady said, adding that his daughter made it a point to treat everyone the same regardless of their place in society. "I think that's one of her standing legacies."