Sentencing for Curtis Vance is underway

Jurors have a lot on their minds as they have to determine Curtis Vance’s punishment.  After a 30 minute break following the guilty verdict, the sentencing phase began Wednesday night.

The jury now must sentence Vance to either the death penalty or life in prison without parole; those are their only choices in a capital murder conviction.

The prosecution in this sentencing phase started trying to convince the jury of aggravating circumstance that would warrant the death penalty. In this case those include; that Vance committed the crime in a cruel manner, for money, to avoid arrest and that he committed a prior violent felony. That's why they again called Mariana rape victim Kristen Edwards to the stand. Edwards was raped earlier in 2008 and DNA found at the rape scene that matched DNA found in Anne Pressly’s home after her attack. That trial hasn't happened yet.

The prosecution also called Patti Cannady, Pressly's mother, who testified to a tearful jury that when Anne died, part of her died. Friends of Anne testified too demonstrating the loss people felt with Anne’s death.

After the prosecution finished the defense started presenting mitigating circumstances to sway the jury from the death penalty, calling Vance's aunt and a DHS records keeper. They shared details of Vance's past, a history of abuse, and reports his mother used drugs.

Court wrapped up for the day around 6:00 but the defense has more witnesses to call starting Thursday morning. They're trying get the jury to take Vance’s turbulent past into consideration when deciding his fate.