Mudd Letters Opened To Public: Van Dam Jurors Continue to Mull and Ponder Westerfield's Fate! 8-15

Union Trib ^ | August 15, 2002 | Union Trib

[FresnoDA]

Letters to judge opened to public

SIGNONSANDIEGO

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.

Jurors ask to review pictures, interview

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.''

 

DAN TREVAN / Union-Tribune

Some of the folders of documents made public by Judge William Mudd.

The writer failed to indicate whether the reference was to ex-wives of Westerfield – who has been married and divorced twice – or someone else connected with the case.

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.

[small_l_libertarian]

They would have to be some kind of bold to pursue a lawsuit against DW, I would think. Wouldn't their extracurricular activities then become fair game?

[Green]

Exactly what I was thinking too.

[spectre]

How are the VD's going to get any money out of Westerfield? He's got nothing left.

Oh my, Nancy Graceless is coming unglued at the seams with her complaints that the jury is "taking way too long in reaching a verdict. AND that Feldman may move for a "mistrial this morning", she thinks.

I love watching her come apart...:~)

[Rheo]

Is this morning's hearing live or closed?

[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.

[UCANSEE2]

Wherever it came from, I still don't see the relevance of the porn. I understand that it is supposed to establish motive, but where is the evidenciary basis for that connection?

HERE IS THE MOST FALLACIOUS PART OF THAT.

The RAPE porn is supposed to show motive. Right? That DW RAPER Danielle?

Then why is he not even charged with RAPE?

How can RAPE PORN be motive if there was no evidence, no charge of RAPE?

CAN'T BE. Another STUPID attempt by Prosecution to win the case by hoping the JURY is as STUPID and the Dry Cleaning Clerk, the Pizza Partiers, The SDPD, and the MEDIA.

[spectre]

Supposed to be "closed". But, Beth Karas thinks Judge Mudd may open up the court-room to cameras when he makes the decision on whatever Motion Feldman is going to present.

sw

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

ROFLOL !!!!!!!!

[small_l_libertarian]

Maybe they won't be able to put one over on this jury, U2.

I have read and re-read the juror profiles, and there's not one that screams "STUPID" to me. Some of them seem like they might be a little squishy, but none seem inherently dumb (based on their job description or lack thereof).

They sound like regular folks to me.

[sawsalimb]

FWIW,I'm not sure that Westerfield even could sue the VanDam bunch. If the charges against him were brought by the SDPD,wouldn't he be restricted to suing the SDPD for damages incurred?(This is a question,by the way,because I really have no idea what the law would or wouldn't allow in a case like this. Can anyone out there educate me?)

[Green]

Does Beth Karas give any reason for thinking he will open up the court when he gives his decision or is this just a wild guess of hers?

[small_l_libertarian]

Okay - lunchtime again. You guys know the drill. If the jury comes in before I get back to the office, one of you needs to call the courthouse and tell them to wait for an hour. Thank you.

:-P

[bvw]

RICO

[NatureGirl]

You came here for an argument?

That was never five minutes just now!

Yes it was.

[UCANSEE2]

PING ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The ping list grows each day.

I Added " ican'tbelieveit,CAPPSMADNESS,WINODOG,Naturegirl,demsux to the list.

PLEASE WELCOME these fairly NEW names to the threads!!!!

carenot,kerensky,wonders, calawah98, Centaur,L.TOWM

[MagnoliaMS]

I saw it. Needless to say, I voted "NO!" I also noted one of the questions on another of their polls asked if parents were partially responsible for the recent child abductions. I passed on that one, because in most of the recent cases, the parents were NOT even partially at fault, but the Van Dam case is entirely different. They will use every "No" vote as vindication for the Van Dams. It was a trick question, in my opinion.

[Green]

ROFL! I just clicked on the link on CTV's website that shows a still image of what is on right now and it is a picture of Nancy and Beth and Nancy's expression is hilarious. Wish I knew how to post it!

[UCANSEE2]

They sound like regular folks to me.

I think the fact they didn't come running back with a GUILTY verdict shows that instead of going with the EMOTIONAL APPEAL made by DUSEK and MUDD (co-prosecution team in this case),
that they are going with the logical, intelligent, A MAN'S LIFE IS AT STAKE, let's follow the proper procedures and do this right technique.

THANK GOD for the choice of JURORS.