Posted on 08/14/2002 9:29:21 PM PDT by FresnoDA
Letters to judge opened to public
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August 14, 2002 The judge in the trial of David Westerfield today allowed reporters to see court log entries of notes from jurors, as well as letters to the judge from the public about the murder of Danielle van Dam. The letters from the public included a variety of theories about the case.
One letter-writer sent the following theory to Judge William Mudd: "Danielle van Dam killed herself.'' A nearly illegible postcard with a Spokane postmark alluded to at least one ex-wife "with a drinking problem (who) lives in Spokane.''
The postcard was unsigned. Another missive came from a man who referenced another high-profile murder trial that of O.J. Simpson. "The O.J. Simpson case was a miscarriage of the state's justice mainly because Judge (Lance) Ito was too lenient with the actors defending O.J.,'' the man wrote. There was no news Wednesday afternoon about the status of deliberations, but Mudd announced he was holding a sealed hearing 9:30 a.m. Thursday to consider an unspecified defense motion in the case. Wednesday was the fifth day of deliberations. The prosecution concluded its closing arguments last Thursday. Westerfield is accused of kidnapping 7-year-old Danielle van Dam from her Sabre Springs home and killing her. He could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of murder with special circumstances. He has also been charged with misdemeanor possession of child pornography. The log entries show that on Friday, the jury requested ``all available evidence of pornographic images'' and a photograph of a teen-age daughter of the defendant's ex-girlfriend.
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If anybody wants to join me in praying for the jury during deliberations, I'm going to set aside some time every day. The two or more gathered together principle, don't ya know.
Ya know, one of the really strange outcomes of this trial for me is that it has made me re-think my atheism.
I'm a pretty dedicated atheist, so that's something.
At first, the prayers that Sheeza (sp?) and some others were putting up seemed offensive.
There is a conundrum here, however.
I don't know for certain whether DW did or did not do that crime. I do think the prosection has not proven that he did it, and I would vote to acquit him if I was a one of the jurors.
But, what if he did?
I find myself hoping there is a heaven and a hell. Whoever did that to Danielle deserves a place in hell.
If DW did not do it and gets convicted, I hope there is a heaven.
So, atheist that I am, I will join with you in your prayer. God grant this jury the strength and the wisdom to do their best.
No, the name of the establishment was not on the receipt.
My goodness, Miz. No wonder John Walsh didn't have a problem with the Van Dams when he interviewed them. What a creep, and his wife too. Did Damon share after the interview? Enquiring minds need to know (or maybe not!).
I say the affidavit and search warrant were not drawn up until 2/7 (I believe), NOT 2/4 or even 2/5. The detective first had to track down the drycleaners. The article about the affidavit states that DW told the police about the trip he made on 2/4. The article does not state DW disclosed the trip to them *on* 2/4. I contend if he had, they would have requested a search warrant for the drycleaners at the same time they asked to search his home, MH, SUV and computer and phone records.
Exactly. Any competent civil attorney would have a jury wanting to hang the Van Dam's. Danielle's murder would become nothing more than a means to explore the VD's private life, and THEY would become the focus of any civil proceedings. IF DW were found not guilty, and they tried to sue him for wrongful death, he would countersue, and stand at least as good a chance of winning as they did. The VD's would be much better off to just fade away, and let the criminal trial decide Westerfield's fate. Of course, they have shown they aren't the shaprest knives in the drawer, so who knows what they'll do?
It isn't me that I'm concerned with. My life is in my own hands. Most of the time, anyhow. Please never once pray for me.
CTV don't have em. SDChannel Don't have em.
BTW, whoever is doing UNPOSTED.COM has been working hard updating it.
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