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.

[pinz-n-needlez]

really???!!! I haven't been paying too much attention to that conversation. That's the guy who Brenda invited to come to Dad's, who chaired the fund drive during the search, who changed plans that weekend - at the last minute?

I sure wish we knew what that judge learned from talking to the boys back in March......

[bvw]

Please answer the question directly. Adultery? Yes or No?

[Eva]

Actually, I did know a lesbian that molested her own children.

[demsux]

I believe Bill Libby did not go to "Dad's" because he was going over to the VD's house to hang with Damon...what happened after that, I don't know

[the Deejay]

It's so obvious the judge, LE & Dusek weren't about to allow anything into the trial to appear that the Vdams were culpable. I just recently heard even the events of that night wouldn't have come in if Dusek hadn't had them testify at the prelim. And that's the only way Feldman was able to get that much in.

[oremus]

Yeah and I'm thinking suicide - how convenient. Then WHY NOT NAME THE PERP???!!! As usual - something STINKS!

I'm steaming mad right now - WHO IS THIS 10TH PERSON AND WHY NOT NAME HIM/HER???

[pinz-n-needlez]

yeah. Feldman went into a bit of that during closing comments. I was hoping he'd tell the other story, using hypotheticals. One that would be closer to what really happened.

Thanks.

[the Deejay]

I think VRWC_minion went to read the transcripts from the closing statements. I'm wondering if he will come back and say I was right about the attorneys he got confused with.

He thinks Dusek is the defense attorney & Feldman is the prosecutor.

[DoughtyOne]

I'm sympathetic to your arguement, but on the other hand some jurors are likely to assess guilt due to him not taking the stand. I think you lose either way. And I'd like the opportunity to look the jury in the eye and say, "I know it looks bad, but I did not do this.

If that prosecutor attacked me the way you stated, I'd look right at the judge and say this, "Your honor, I'm more than willing to cooperate and aid in discovery to the best of my ability. I will not sit here and have this individual prejudice the jury in this manner."

What's the judge going to do, hold you in contempt? LOL, if it's contempt or the gas chamber, I'll risk contempt and calling the idiot on his prejudicial behavior.

[demsux]

I have determined that the Libby's run the following business out of their home:

It's Emeddded Inc.

It would seem like some kind of software company.

Any kalifornia freepers out there ever hear of it?

[the Deejay]

Feldman has known from the beginning, that as far as this judge is concerned, Feldman is walking a very fine line. He's gotten knocked back so many times, it was really getting very embarrassing for him & I've found myself feeling sorry for him.

[SilentWitness]

Never heard of Embedded Inc. Do you have an address. I'm here in Poway, CA ~ 1.0-1.5 miles from VDs.

[demsux]

It's at the Libby home on Oviedo Rd, i believe 9750 oviedo

[nycgal]

How old is Bill Libby? The newsgroup message stated that William Libby was 26 in 1996 making him 32 now.

[the Deejay]

WOW!! You're in Poway? Have you driven through the VD neighborhood recently?

Was wondering if the Roehr's home across the street from DW has been "egged" since they testified FOR Mr. Westerfield. I think the Roehr's are a very lovely couple & would never have anything to do with the vdams.

[formerDem]

"It is not necessary that facts be proved by direct evidence. They many be proved also by circumstantial evidence or by a combination of direct and circumstantial evidence."

"[in order for the jury to reach a] RATIONAL conclusion..."

"...Further, EACH FACT WHICH IS ESSENTIALto complete a set of circumstances..." (not ALL facts, just those that are essential)

"Beyond a REASONABLE doubt. In other words, before an inference essential to establish guilt may be found to have been proved beyond a REASONABLE doubt, each fact or circumstances upon which the inference NECESSARILY rests must be proved beyond a REASONABLE doubt."

* * * *

The Van Dams put their children at risk. They were stupid, selfish, and for all their so-called "sophistication' were excrutiatingly naive about the real dangers of their 'lifestyle'. They left themselves and their children vulnerable. Someone took advantage of that vulnerability. All the evidence points to David Westerfield. There is no EVIDENCE that the Van Dams or anyone other than Mr. Westerfield killed their daughter. The fact that fiber or hair from Mr. Westerfield was not FOUND in the VD house does not mean that he was not in there, it just means that no hair or fiber was found. A REASONABLE, RATIONAL person would infer from all the circumstantial and direct evidence that David Westerfield committed this crime.

It is disappointing to see so many FR posters allowing themselves to become unreasonable and irrational; indulging in bizzare conspiracy theories, elaborate and complex scenarios for which there is no direct or circumstantial evidence, and most troubling of all, wanting Westerfield acquitted to punish the Van Dams albeit, under the guise of 'reasonable doubt'.

[hoosiermama]

CHeck the spelling "Emed" Might have something to do with medical software?

[pinz-n-needlez]

The Jackal is the movie on USA Network tonight. For sure Mudd will sequester now.

[the Deejay]

"William Libby was 26 in 1996 making him 32 now."

That would be about right. I think he's in the vdam age
group (& gropies.) lol

[pinz-n-needlez]

(& gropies.)

I think you mean 'groupies.'

Well, on second reading, I guess you got it right. Sorry.