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.

[Rheo]

Here is the Dr. Bruce Baker info you requested;

13422 POMERADO RD SUITE 201

City: POWAY State: CA Zip: 92064

County: SAN DIEGO

[crystalk]

Am I the only one who thinks some apparent sloppiness and failure to really say what needed to be said in summation-- ie. that his client was framed--

Makes it look like to me that Feldman may have more evidence, may have more up his sleeve as it were, and really WANTS this jury to rush to judgment and guilty verdict, "ALL THE BETTER TO SUE YOU WITH, my dear."

There are so many other likely guilty persons, THAT trial will make this one look like a kiddie jello party.

One thing I flatly predict: the Van Dams will never sue anybody, for anything. They would be eaten alive in a civil discovery, which BTW would happen even if someone sued THEM!

[Eva]

No, just small primary teeth in a larger jaw. It made them look smaller than they were.

[nycgal]

Feldman is again asking Mudd to sequester the jurors. Also, a separate "break" area where they would not be hounded by the media.

[bvw]

Thanks. Hard to tell in the videos. But the spacing seemed wide and the teeth short.

[spectre]

Actually, it has come to my attention from several other Freepers via FReepmail, that it was NYCgal who first brought forth the suggestions about the PJ's.

I can't answer your specific question, but maybe she can.

My apologies to NYCgal, I believe in giving credit where it's due...sw

[Rheo]

An alternate juror has been followed

Defense wants to know why they were not informed of jury problem.(gettng a running read from someone so hopefully this is accurate)

[fivecatsandadog]

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?

I agree that it seems odd, and I wonder if Feldman ever asked for proof of a "second, identical pair". Would be interesting to search the transcripts for this.

[spectre]

Big surprise...NOT! Dusek thinks the Jury is just fine not being sequestered, LOL!

Of course not, they couldn't watch Court TV or listen to Rick Roberts if they were sequestered.

JUDGE MUDD! You want this verdict sooooo badly!

sw

[Jrabbit]

CTV is disliked by Feldman, loved by Doosuk. Imagine that!

[nycgal]

Thanks spectre.

[Rheo]

No mention in transcripts of this second pair of pjs so don't waste your eyes.

The pj's found on the floor with blood...didn't realize until re-reading yesterday...that DNA test came back inconclusive..unable to determine whose it was.

[Rheo]

MOtion denied to sequester jury

[bvw]

PJ blood DNA test came back inconclusive

Miracle ain't it! Another piece in the Dusek 21-game theory.

[Jrabbit]

Diggler requesting attention please, pretty please:)

[Rheo]

I turned on the Courttv today...lasted less than 2 minutes.

Nancy Graceless is like a parody of a newscaster on Saturday Night Live or something...her dramaticcccc inflections...barf!

[spectre]

Just wanted to make sure our "sources" were accurate...You're welcome.

Dusek is now complaining to Judge Mudd again...wants to prepare for a penalty phase.

Talk about the cart before the horse?!!!

sw

[mommya]

So - the jury wanted to hear Jenifer Shen's recall testimony? Time to go back to the transcripts. Wasn't that where she late in the game realized there may have been orange fibers in the SUV?

[nycgal]

Big surprise...NOT! Dusek thinks the Jury is just fine not being sequestered, LOL!

Is this judge incompetent or what? I guess he can't back down now and grant sequestration because it would prove he was wrong not doing so early on and taking that week off.

[Green]

Dusek is now complaining to Judge Mudd again...wants to prepare for a penalty phase

Prepare in what way??? And pardon my ignorance but how do you prepare for a penalty phase when you have no idea if you have a guilty party to penalize?