[sawsalimb]

I really doubt that the VanDam family would want to go to civil court over this. If my understanding is correct,the rules for the discovery process in civil court are quite a bit more inclusive than the rules for criminal court. A whole lot of dirty laundry could get washed in public.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Preponderence of the evidence in civil court. But I think it would be the other way, I think Westerfield should take them to court.

But of course, if they do take him to court, their lives will be opened up much more and we will learn so much more about them. I am all for it, and I am all for Westerfield getting a lowdown dirty attorney to defend him.

[NatureGirl]

My feelings exactly. I don't the Van Dams will be going into any type of lawsuit over this.

[Space Wrangler]

A whole lot of dirty laundry could get washed in public

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?