Westerfield Closings Set For Tuesday, 8-6-2002: More Revelations Continue "Out" Of Jurors Sight!

Court TV ^ | August 6, 2002 | Harriet Ryan

[FresnoDA]

Westerfield closings set for Tuesday

The defense for David Westerfield, left, opted not to call a last forensic witness, clearing the way for closing arguments Tuesday morning.

By Harriet Ryan
Court TV

SAN DIEGO — After two months and 116 witnesses, jurors in the capital murder case of David Westerfield will hear closing arguments Tuesday.

"We'll be ready to rock and roll tomorrow morning," Judge William Mudd told lawyers Monday.

Defense attorneys for Westerfield, who is accused of kidnapping and killing his 7-year-old neighbor Danielle van Dam, had considered calling a forensic anthropologist as their final witness. After weekend discussions, however, they decided to rest their case, defense lawyer Steven Feldman told Mudd.

The judge imposed no time limits on the arguments Feldman and prosecutor Jeff Dusek will make, and closings in the trial, which included 199 exhibits and weeks of complex forensic testimony, could stretch into a second day.

At the hearing Monday, Feldman made yet another attempt to have the panel of six men and six women sequestered during deliberations. He cited front page articles about the case in the local paper as well as an article about swinging in San Diego magazine.

"The land mines keep growing, Judge," he told Mudd.

As he had before, the judge denied the request and said he trusted the jury to follow his instructions about avoiding media accounts of the case.

Westerfield, 50, faces the death penalty if convicted of Danielle's slaying. The second-grader was abducted from her bedroom last February. Searchers found her naked body on the side of a road three and a half weeks later. Prosecutors claim Westerfield sexually assaulted and suffocated her, but the defense says forensic evidence indicates she was dumped after the defendant was under police surveillance.

Comprehensive case coverage

[nycgal]

Westerfield tried to clean stuff up. Good thing he wasn't 100% succesful.

Damon did also. Remember the steamcleaning just after Danielle was found to be missing? We'll see how successful he was if DW is found not guilty and someone decides to look at the VDs. There are ways to determine if blood on a wall has been painted over.

[Greg Weston]

>>>Virtually impossible it was there before that.<<<

What do you base this theory on?

[185JHP]

Excellence in posting! Romans 1:29-32 talks about people that not only do evil themselves, but enjoy other people doing evil!

[cyncooper]

Remember the steamcleaning just after Danielle was found to be missing?

No, I don't. What are you referring to?

[CAPPSMADNESS]

"the hair in the sink was found a lot sooner than her body"

Freshness has very little to do with DNA analysis, that is a myth that most believe. If DNA can be extracted from a 30 year old corpse, or a cigarette that has been exposed to the elements for 2 1/2 weeks, or a single fingernail that has been exposed to water and bad weather for months, I would have to say that "if" there was DNA evidence, it would have been collectable.

"As to the teeth, I was pointing it out as a possible source for the drops of blood. Perhaps (mere speculation) the orange and/or blue item(s) had more blood on it/them"

yes tooth extraction would result in blood loss, that we agree on. But forceably knocking out someones teeth would cause alot of splatter, wouldn't you think?

[nycgal]

Didn't Damon steamclean the MB carpet because Layla peed on it?

[185JHP]

Yo John, NewsBits is reporting the arrest of a Georgia Police Chief caught in a child porn sting. (!)

[fatima]

Does your 15 year old hacker put it on CD's and hide it on a shelf and have drawings of a little girl being raped,call the cops.

[bvw]

The verdict is in folks. DW is guilty. Why are we even discussing this. Blood on the jacket. Sorry I have to so inform the DW aplogists.

Just got the message on Fox, Hannity and Colmes and guests all agree -- Westerfield murdered her in the motorhome. Do you hear that JURY? Just say GUILTY.

The media has determined all the facts and made the judgement. Let us bow down before them. They know everything, after all.

They all agree with Greg Weston.

[Greg Weston]

It's virtually impossible for Westerfield to be an victim of so many "unlucky" circumstances that point right at him being guilty.

[the Deejay]

"Are you a psychic?"

It doesn't require one to be a psychic to put the pieces together in the vdams case. Just common sense.

Besides, Miss Cleo isn't a psychic, just a huge fraud.

[Greg Weston]

I hope the jurors are follwing the judges instuctions. Private citizens can speak any opinion they want. As you do.

[the Deejay]

I was referring to Dusek, being disorganized. I do believe Feldman's was intentional.

[cyncooper]

I believe you said that he steamcleaned *after* Danielle was found to be missing? The steamcleaning due to Layla took place before Saturday morning.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

"It's virtually impossible for Westerfield to be an victim of so many "unlucky" circumstances that point right at him being guilty."

It has happened before, and will happen again in the future. Innocent men and women have spent many years behind bars due to faulty evidence, unlucky circumstance and even innaccurate eyewitness testimony.

[dread78645]

My briefcase with a Million Dollars in it.

Sorry, it's got Shezzas' initials on it and bonds due to me.

(shezza, --check's in the mail.)

[Greg Weston]

>>>Miss Cleo isn't a psychic, just a huge fraud.<<<

And so are you if you can't back up your terrible accusations with anything whatsoever. Do you believe Danielle was "sold into porno" by her parents as well?

[the Deejay]

He steam cleaned Danielle's room because the dog did a wee-wee on her carpet.

[demsux]

666...Isn't it eerie...c'mon Fres...

I'm just catching up golf with the wife and dinner tonight.

[spectre]

You are correct. From day one, DW didn't stand a chance...media wise.

I used to believe in the justice system, but after watching this trial, it's opened my eyes. Of course, the Jury is still out.

sw