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.

[MizSterious]

Good points. What about if the vDs knowingly falsely accused DW? There is evidence they might have in some of those earlier motions--also evidence the police embellished on even that.

[NatureGirl]

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

[MagnoliaMS]

I don't know what they meant.... but I do know if I were on THIS jury, I would want my identity kept secret. I can only imagine the pressure these jurors have felt, and I will never in this lifetime understand why Mudd did not sequester them.

[juzcuz]

Teeth--

You asked wouldn't there have been damage to the gums if teeth were pulled out?

I'm not a dentist, but I was a dental assistant at one time. I watched teeth being pulled, the dentist is normally very careful not to damage the gums. Sometimes however, dentists have to slice gum lines to remove teeth. In that case, the patient usually needs stitches on the gums. Mostly though, a pressured rocking with the tooth locked in pliers is enough to pop a tooth, especially a baby tooth.

The decaying process could have caused the teeth to fall out. The bottom of Danielle's mouth was putrefied(in the state of mush) Yet, all her bottom teeth were in place none of her bottom teeth were moved by animals or dislodged by peridontis or missing.


Another question I have is that Sperber said Danielle last went to the dentist May 22, 2001. Sperber was shown her dental X-Rays. He stated that the dentist was named Dr. Bruce Baker DDS. I tried looking up doctor Bruce Baker with a dental office in CA. From what I found, there is no Dr. Bruce BakerDDS with an office in CA. But there is a Dr.Bruce Baker DDS in Lancaster, Ohio. His specialty is pediatric dentistry.

If someone out there can find Dr. Bruce Baker DDS in CA. I really would appreciate knowing that.

[connectthedots]

If DW did some smart planning, he could have minimized his financial risk. Any retirement type plans or savings were probably safe from exposure or requirement to use up before the state stepped in to start paying for Feldman.

[juzcuz]

Teeth--

You asked wouldn't there have been damage to the gums if teeth were pulled out?

I'm not a dentist, but I was a dental assistant at one time. I watched teeth being pulled, the dentist is normally very careful not to damage the gums. Sometimes however, dentists have to slice gum lines to remove teeth. In that case, the patient usually needs stitches on the gums. Mostly though, a pressured rocking with the tooth locked in pliers is enough to pop a tooth, especially a baby tooth.

The decaying process could have caused the teeth to fall out. The bottom of Danielle's mouth was putrefied(in the state of mush) Yet, all her bottom teeth were in place none of her bottom teeth were moved by animals or dislodged by peridontis or missing.


Another question I have is that Sperber said Danielle last went to the dentist May 22, 2001. Sperber was shown her dental X-Rays. He stated that the dentist was named Dr. Bruce Baker DDS. I tried looking up doctor Bruce Baker with a dental office in CA. From what I found, there is no Dr. Bruce BakerDDS with an office in CA. But there is a Dr.Bruce Baker DDS in Lancaster, Ohio. His specialty is pediatric dentistry.

If someone out there can find Dr. Bruce Baker DDS in CA. I really would appreciate knowing that.

[KnutCase]

How many times do I have to tell you.....the little blue pill goes with the 180 Frankfurter!!!!

[juzcuz]

Sorry for the double

[fatima]

You made me laugh,I am in our gift and thrift shop and have no time to post so why do I :)))

[connectthedots]

Yeah ... that was a very bad post on my part. Not good advice at all. I don't even like the RICO concept. Sorry.

RICO is a wonderful concept, but not in this case. I've got a RICO action going in the State of Washington and the FBI is now going to be investigating a large number of public officials, including the Gov, AG and the state supreme court; finally!

[dread78645]

If you are trying to confuse me....consider it done. LOL!

He means <IMG SRC="http://dread.home.texas.net/images/humor/AustinPowerst.jpg">
will produce :

[MizSterious]

It was probably "none of the above." See the transcripts (some of which I posted in #49 I think), and Wonders' post #151. It's most likely they fell out naturally.

[connectthedots]

If the VDs directed the SDPD to DW knowing that he did not do it and if the SDPD had information that they knew or should have known would exonerate DW and did not turn it over to Feldman, DW is going to become a very wealthy man.

Cause of Action would be 42 U.S.C. 1983,1985,1986 (Civil Right violations) for a civil case and possibly some individuals could be charged under 18 U.S.C 241, 242 of the U.S. criminal code.

[MagnoliaMS]

I thought I remembered reading that there was a spot of Danielle's blood on these pajamas. If they were only worn by someone else, why would HER blood be on them? Or am I just confused? (Wouldn't be the first time!)

[fatima]

Amen and many other words I don't have time to type.

[MizSterious]

Correction--transcript portions were posted in #51, Wonders' post in #151.

[Jaded]

Actually going back to the middle of February, he rearranged some of his finances. This included his business and his patents. Then there was the house. Apparently some things were put in order.

[dread78645]

It's most likely they fell out naturally.

So do I.
Which leaves the question "Where are the other three teeth ?"

[ican'tbelieveit]

With the foot, or a volunteer maybe kept them as a souvenier?

[bvw]

Why did the police spend the time looking for an earring back and not for the teeth -- or were they looking for both?