Day 2 of Vance Trial Testimony: Marianna rape victim testifies in TV anchor trial

Prosecutors tell jurors DNA evidence links Curtis Vance to Anne Pressly's murder and the rape of a Marianna school teacher. Thursday the jury heard firsthand the violent attack from the teacher herself.

Prosecutors promised during opening statements they would walk the jury step by step through evidence they say ties Vance to both crimes.  Thursday was the start of that long walk.

During the second day of testimony in Anne Pressly’s murder trial, prosecutors introduced more evidence tying Curtis Vance to her murder, including testimony from 33-year-old Kristen Edwards. FOX16 News doesn’t normally identify sex crime victims but in this case Edwards voluntarily agreed to let her identity be known.

The former Marianna school teacher told jurors about a man who raped her in her home in April of 2008. Her attacker yelled at her, “Don’t look at me. I have a gun and I know your house.”

Edwards told prosecutors she is still alive today because she did everything her attacker demanded.

Prosecutors then called DNA expert Mary Simonson with the State Crime Lab who testified the DNA found from Edward’s rape matched DNA found at Pressly’s home. The samples matched beyond all scientific certainty with the sample Vance provided to police leading to his arrest in Anne Pressly’s killing.