Deliberations Resume Friday, 8-9-02 In Trial Of David Westerfield (VERDICT WATCH CONTINUES!)

CNN.com ^ | August 9, 2002 | CNN

[FresnoDA]

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) --A San Diego jury began deliberations Thursday in the trial of David Westerfield, accused of kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

The panel of six men and six women adjourned for the day without reaching a verdict. It is set to resume deliberations Friday.

[Jaded]

I feel a code shriek coming on....

**FREE NINJA DAVE**FREE NINJA DAVE**FREE NINJA DAVE**

Stealth Ninja Dave

[Jaded]

I think several people suggested it. That fact alone screams... Then there is the mysterious re-appearing towel-in-the-floor-in-the-RV thingy.

If you glide across the top with Dusek, it certainly looks odd, if not incriminating. But when you actually LOOK, it's a very ugly picture and not at all what they'd like us to see.

Notice how Avila isn't getting this kind of face time or the Smarts for that matter? The evidence against Avila must stand on it's own merit.

[countess]

Fox news says the jury is going home for the day.

[mommya]

That's strange - huh? They wanted to meet today just to deliberate that little bit?

[Jaded]

I think someone had a dr's appointment today. That may be why.

[Green]

I was just on Court TVs web site. They have juror profiles up. Never had seen that before. I didn't know there was a software engineer on the jury panel. That should make the deliberations regarding all the computer testimony interesting.

[Krodg]

I thought the public and media were not supposed to know their schedule. Wonder if it's just a lunch break?

[Green]

now that would be funny...media reports they went home for the day and then they all start coming back...would love to see that happen

[Valpal1]

Well considering that poor Samantha was "fresh" when found, yeah, the evidence will stand on it's own. There was no evidence destroyed by animal activity or weather or decompostition.

I heard today he pled Not Guilty. I suppose there was no choice as a plea to trade guilty for life in prison was probably not on the table.

After reading some on the trial where he was acquitted, I feel so sorry for that jury. Some of the behavior the girls testified to was terribly perverse and sick and without physical evidence to back it up (because they didn't tell for months), I can see where the jury might have thought the girls had been coached by their mothers as a revenge tactic. God knows it happens often enough.

I expect Avila's eventual jury will deliberate about two hours, mostly for decorum's sake (or to finish off the donuts), and then fry the SOB.

One thing, will those two girls will get a chance to testify a second time against him, and this time they will be believed?

[HoneyBoo]

It's only a little after noon in SD. If the jury is calling it quits so early in the day, it might be because there is a diversity of opinion and they know they are going to have to hash it out. Could be a sign of a potential hung jury.

[JudyB1938]

Sorry. Just got back from doctor's. No, I didn't embellish. Ask anybody on this thread if I am exagerating.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, and (like you) many of us are wondering the same thing ... why it wasn't brought out in court. However, one explanation is that Judge Mudd refused to allow any evidence into trial that reflected badly upon the Van Dam's.

Can you tell us WHY?!!!! Nobody's been able to figure that one out yet!

[mommya]

I know - how does the media know they won't be back? Maybe one of them did have an appointment - but they are going to come back for a while in the afternoon?

[Krodg]

Like the baliff wouldn't lie to the media!!!

As for the person with a doctor's appointment, it seems like if that was an issue, they would have waited until next week to ask for Fridays.

Sure would love to see them catch the media with their pants down!

[the Deejay]

"Judge Mudd refused to allow any evidence into trial that reflected badly upon the Van Dam's."

Is that in reference to the diary of Danielle's? Well, even the judge realizes that would make it look like an
"inside job". Apparently, that's how the judge himself
viewed it, too. Prejudiced judge? Why not at all......
...(sarcasm)

[the Deejay]

The judge told the media the jury has left for the day.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you for the reply. I need to read more about this case. If any of you have set up links to the most damning informative sources for the issue you touched on, I'd sure like to reveiw the materials for my own edification.

[JudyB1938]

I don't remember all of the things Mudd refused to be allowed into the record and/or questioned. If people want to know, all they have to do is look up all the times he ruled in favor of the prosecution's "objections" whenever Feldman would try to bring something out in favor of his client.

It is my opinion that Mudd is biased against Mr. Westerfield and has shown himself to be biased at every opportunity. I hope the jury picked up on it.

[DoughtyOne]

One thing that has bothered me for months, is that with all the focus on Westerfield, if he wasn't the guy, the real perp would be walking around repeating.

I still say it would be interesting to know where the perp from the Samantha case was on the night Danielle was taken.

[Krodg]

I thought it was the baliff, but if it was the judge... it must be true.

[DoughtyOne]

There's only so much the jury can pick up on. The evidenciary rulings take place out of their sight.