Day 5 of Vance trial testimony: Defense rests case

Defense attorneys rest their case Tuesday night after working to create reasonable doubt in order to get a not guilty verdict for Curtis Vance.

After 5 days of testimony, prosecutors rest their case in the Anne Pressly murder trial.

The Jury was sent home for the day at about 4pm. But not before graphic testimony from the medical examiner on how Anne Pressly was killed.

At least 4 to 5 blows to the head killed anchorwoman Anne Pressly. That is the testimony coming from medical examiner Stephen Erickson in court on Tuesday. He told jurors that blunt force trauma caused multiple facial fractures and that one blow on the morning of October 20th below Pressly’s jaw caused a hinge fracture. That is where the base of the skull cracks which leads to brain swelling and death.

Erickson also testified that Pressly had classic defense wounds on her broken left hand that is consistent with trying to fight off her attacker.

"All five long bones in her left hand were broken, as well as her ring and pinky finger," Erickson told the jury. "It's likely she was trying to protect her head when those injuries occurred."

Before the detailed testimony got underway, Prosecutor John Johnson turned and mouthed “are you going to be okay?” to Pressly’s step-dad. Guy Cannady nodded that he would.

It was the final state witness in 5 days of testimony making their case combining DNA evidence and Curtis Vance’s own statements to try and prove that he alone is responsible for killing Pressly.

The jury will go back Wednesday morning for closing arguments.