Westerfield's Fate In Hands Of Jury: VERDICT WATCH BEGINS in Van Dam Murder Case

CourtTV ^ | August 8, 2002 | CourtTV

[FresnoDA]

Jury's hands After two months of hearing evidence, jurors have begun deliberating the fate of David Westerfield, who is accused of kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Danielle van Dam

[demsux]

Just heard on local SD tv station that jury has handed Mudd a note and will meet w. him at 1:30 pacific time. Could this mean they already have a verdict?

My prediction is that he will be acquitted, very quickly.

Reasonable doubt all over this case

[small_l_libertarian]

Oh, my goodness. Do you really think it could be a verdict this quickly? I think it almost has to be something else. (Hoping for a quick verdict, though.)

[small_l_libertarian]

Oh, my goodness. Do you really think it could be a verdict this quickly? I think it almost has to be something else. (Hoping for a quick verdict, though.)

[small_l_libertarian]

Whoops - happy fingers.

[MagnoliaMS]

LOL. ROFL!!

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Do you know what the word was?

I don't know the word; only that it happened. I've never heard of it either. I would have thought it would cause a person to be removed too......regardless of who the blabbermouth was.

[Lanza]

I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope that monster is behind bars for good!

[connectthedots]

Damon will not be sleeping well tonight, because if the jury has already reached a decision, it will be 'not guilty' and the DA will start looking at him and his friend from Florida. Could be that the friend from Florida has already worked out a deal with the prosecutor if DW is acquitted.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I'm guessing they just have some routine questions.

[Steve0113]

Could be that the friend from Florida has already worked out a deal with the prosecutor if DW is acquitted.

I don't understand how he could do that without incriminating himself in Danielle's death. Or is the prosecution really that unconcerned about whether they have the right perp?

[connectthedots]

O.J was just under two hours and Billy Dale (Travelgate) was 20 minutes. The jury maybe wanting to send a message to the prosecution to 'get that weak sh!t outta here' (A little playground basketball lingo).

[Krodg]

It is something I would never want to happen to someone else. But through my case, they were able to match his prints to an unsolved murder. I have a good life now and am thankful he's not able to do it again.

[connectthedots]

Too many prosecutors are more concerned with getting a conviction than whether they got the right guy once they focus on someone. I used to have a very low opinion of criminal defense attorneys until I understood how corrupt and dishonest prosecutors are. Criminla defense attorneys are angels compared to prosecutors.

[demsux]

This initial note is probably inconsequential...however, I bet they'de like to finish up before the long weekend.

[connectthedots]

Probably want to know how soon they will get reimbursed for their expenses now that they acquitted DW.

[demsux]

One of my best friends (and golf buddy) is a criminal defense/divorce lawyer. Many people do have low opinions of these guys, but I must say, someone has to do the dirty work, otherwise LE could just charge you with whatever they want (and they do sometimes) and send you off to jail.

[Steve0113]

Criminla defense attorneys are angels compared to prosecutors.

Is this a recent phenomenon, or has it always been that way?

[connectthedots]

I don't think the judge can meet with the jury. They can ask a question via a note, but the question must be answered in open court.