Child killer has proclaimed innocence in cards, visits

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 1/3/03 | Alex Roth

[Spunky]

Possession of child pornography weigh against the defendent.

Now Judge, don't you know this is what he was doing:

Asked about the child pornography in his house, he told one friend, former business associate Carmen Genovese, that he was simplycollecting the images so he could send them to Congress as examples of smut on the Internet.

How laughfable.

[cyncooper]

Phone call--I muted the tv and could see Damon giving statement but could not hear. Now hearing Brenda giving impact statement.

[cyncooper]

Westerfield declines making a statement.

Mudd pronouncing death sentence.

[cyncooper]

Restitution to van Dams eighty one thousand plus. Prosecution asks that restitution be paid first, fines imposed second, request granted.

[Freedom2specul8]

Brenda actually did a very good job giving her statement. This isn't the first time I've heard her say that there is nothing worse than a parent not knowing where their child is, but someone else does know.. That feeling is the worst amongst victims of crimes that involve missing children. :( Damon was more emotional and didn't seem to have a nice flow to his statement.

[Amore]

Yippee! Richly deserving.

I hope his case shines some light upon the broken California death penalty system.

[Amore]

Drat! I missed the actual sentencing hearing

(read somewhere the hearing was tomorrow without thinking about the fact that tomorrow is Saturday and so the sentencing must actually be today)

But that's ok, all that matters is the result.

[Freedom2specul8]

Whether one believes he's innocent or guilty, one would be heartless to not feel the pain of the words behind Brenda's statement today. If you get to read the transcript, I would be interested in hearing what you have to say.

[Freedom2specul8]

Hearing Brenda's statement was heartbreaking I'm telling you. It reminds me to thank God for protecting my children and to pray for victims of crimes who aren't so fortunate. (I'm not forgetting those parents who lose their children for reasons other than crimes either...)

Obviously the judge already made his decision, so I'm confused as to what her statement impacted...I'm glad calif gives the victims of violent crimes that right in the courtroom.

[Freedom2specul8]

I'm outta here for a while..will be back in a few.

[EllaMinnow]

Excellent transcribing, Cyn. Thanks.

[Valpal1]

Brenda's statement was very powerful, IMO.

[Freedom2specul8]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/816317/posts
Judge upholds death sentence in van Dam killing

[cyncooper]

Brenda's statement was very powerful, IMO.

I agree.

[cyncooper]

Called away again, but now I'm watching Brenda at the mike and she basically says she hopes the other inmates take care of Westerfield.

[Amore]

There's also another ongoing thread on this, I believe it's posted over on the right side, on Breaking News.

[Johnny Gage]

A richly deserved punishment.

What troubles me is some of the statements made by his "friends"

John Neal
Despite the enormous amount of physical evidence, despite the holes in Westerfield's alibi, despite the documented falsehoods in the stories he told to police and despite the collection of child porn, Neal said he's inclined to believe his former brother-in-law.

Dave Laspisa
As for Laspisa, who has been outspoken in his support of Westerfield, he allows himself to say this much: "I do believe the real story has not been told."

Carmen Genovese
Two days before Christmas, Genovese visited Westerfield in jail and they spoke for more than an hour, during which Genovese peppered his friend with question after question about the evidence.

They support him and deny his involvement, despite the overwhelming evidence.
I wonder what these folks have to hide?
Were they involved with DW and child porn?
Were they're involved with the crime in any way?
Do they know something the Police don't?

Just some things to think about.

[spectre]

I'm back. Caught some of this on a waiting room tv.

Judge Mudd discounted the glaring fact that the Jury WAS subject to day after day of going home and watching Court TV, etc.. He was covering his own sorry way of not sequestering the Jury.

I recommend the movie "Insomnia" starring Al Pacino.

Pacino, plays good Detective gone bad, who PLANTED blood evidence to seal a conviction of a person he was SURE committed a Horrible crime against a child. He felt justified in making sure the perp went to jail, and went on to say that Internal Affairs should get off his case, since they know "planting of evidence" happens everyday.

So, Kim, nothing has changed. Is he guilty? I will always have my doubts, although I live with a man who thinks he is, but respects my opinion. We both agree that Danielle's death was the worst and grieve for the death of this poor child.

PS..Dusek just says that he will "NEVER" answer the question about whether or not a deal was presented to Westerfield...hummm?

sw

[cyncooper]

They support him and deny his involvement, despite the overwhelming evidence.

Perhaps they are having trouble coming to grips with having associated with a person who ended up committing such a horrible crime. With the exception of John Neal it sounds like the others harbor some suspicion but are pushing it away.

The judge is releasing some sealed information Monday that he said, very emphatically today, is very damning to the defendent. These folks may then realize the truth.

[Jaded]

And that means that everyone he knows him and believes in him is what? We've been through that here for months and months. The same has been applied to those of us who have serious doubts about this case. We'd like the truth. That'd be new and different. If something shows up in the sealed docs.... who knows.