AP Photo/Dan Trevan
Damon van Dam, father of Danielle van Dam, testifies during David Westerfield's murder trial in San Diego court, Wednesday, June 5. David Westerfield is accused of the kidnapping and murder of 7-year old Danielle van Dam from her home in February.
Deputy Worried Father ‘Might Do Something’
Van Dam also raised concern when he asked detailed questions about how deputies transported Westerfield to and from the courtroom, said Sheriff's Deputy C.K. McKenzie.
"That raises a bunch of red flags. It suggests he might try to do something," said McKenzie, one of several deputies providing security for the high-profile trial.
Van Dam and his wife, Brenda, have been a constant presence in the courtroom since they finished testifying early in the proceedings about their daughter's disappearance.
Westerfield, 50, is charged with murder, kidnapping and possession of child pornography. He could face the death penalty if he's convicted.
Throughout the trial, the van Dams could be seen glaring at Westerfield, a twice-divorced engineer who lived two doors away from the couple until his arrest in February.
Danielle was reported missing from her bedroom on Feb. 2. Searchers involved in a massive volunteer recovery effort found her nude body on Feb. 27 along a rural roadside east of the San Diego suburb of El Cajon.
Brenda van Dam, who was not barred from the trial, said she was unable to comment, citing the judge's gag on all parties involved in the case.