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.

[Henrietta]

Yeah, it involves the removal of the two top front teeth and the two bottom front teeth...and I will not tell you why....

Eeeeew!

[nycgal]

how do you prepare for a penalty phase when you have no idea if you have a guilty party to penalize?

To be fair, Dusek did say "if" they needed to go to the penalty phase.

[spectre]

Just in case the verdict comes back guilty, wink, wink!

Judge Mudd NOW regrets he let live "feed" into his court-room. After all the damage on the air-ways done to Westerfield...MUDD has regrets! What a bunch of crap.

Jury wants a readback of Jennifer Chin (sp) the witness for the State about the fibers in Danielle's necklace.

sw

[Green]

Is this all being televised or on radio somewhere?

[Green]

I guess that blows the thought by some that they have already reached a verdict on the kidnapping/murder and have now moved on to the porno charge. They wouldn't be asking for this read back if they had.

[mommya]

I could have sworn the judge said the wanted her recall testimony - courTV just said her testimony - 2 different things - no?

[X-Servative]

These Court TV people are pathetic. I've seen better broadcasts on local access.

Remember...most of these CTV talking heads thought our favorite Kennedy cousin and "mom of the year" Susan Smith would not get convicted. What does that tell you about these "experts?"

[MizSterious]

It's not the live feed that's causing the problems. It's the carnival going on outside the courtroom, including and maybe especially on Court TV.

[Rheo]

Trying to remember if it was her or Dulaney, when called by the defense on July 9, that remembered the SUV orange fibers in July.

[Rheo]

Someone suggested it was the dull vs bright testimony they may be after.

Did Feldman beg them to re-read her testimony in his closing?

[KnutCase]

Yes, they asked for recall testimony.

[Krodg]

I thought she was called by the pros when they interrupted the defense.

[UCANSEE2]

Which leaves the question "Where are the other three teeth ?"

Still in the vehicle used to transport Danielle's partially mummified corpse to Dehesa Rd. and dump it.

(Look for Blue Toyota Van, prev. owner, Damon Van Dam)

[spectre]

I think the name is Jennifer Shen. I don't know if it was a readback or tape? Anyway, that's what they want.

Miz, the JURY is begging for help, and is being ignored. What the heck is going on? It looks as tho Dusek and Mudd want them to be influenced by the biased Media. Mudd is covering his ass, saying this and that, about how strong the Jury is, but that is NOT THE CASE.

Maybe if I were on the Jury and I knew the Court was treating me with such disrespect, I would hand them a verdict for either a mistrial or an acquital and say, to hell with you idiots!

sw

[the-gooroo]

Yes it was Shen--IIRC they were from previous tapelifts, also some blue fibers. (i think)

[nycgal]

Is this all being televised or on radio somewhere?

It was on radio and Court TV, but it's all over now.

[small_l_libertarian]

You heard correctly. The judge said that the jury requested Shen's recall testimony. That's where she suddenly "remembered" that she had found some more orange fibers. (Riiiiiight.)

[UCANSEE2]

Feldman is again asking Mudd to sequester the jurors.

And I suppose the DUSEK-MUDD prosecution team is still denying the need to sequestor?

[Rheo]

She was called by the defense on July 9.....the dull vs bright testimony probably...she wrote dull in her notes regarding the necklace fiber...all the other orange fibers were bright...indicates no match...Feldman requested the jury remember her face when she realized what she had written and was called on it.

[KnutCase]

Court TV is getting ready to replay the recall testimony of Jennifer Chen right now