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.

[nycgal]

It does take a strong stomach to watch and listen NG and most of the other commentators. I did, however, put CTV on mute while listening to the trial on the radio so I could see what the witnesses looked like and watch the body language of all participants.

[The Other Harry]

Prayer Ping....

If anybody wants to join me in praying for the jury during deliberations, I'm going to set aside some time every day. The two or more gathered together principle, don't ya know.

Ya know, one of the really strange outcomes of this trial for me is that it has made me re-think my atheism.

I'm a pretty dedicated atheist, so that's something.

At first, the prayers that Sheeza (sp?) and some others were putting up seemed offensive.

There is a conundrum here, however.

I don't know for certain whether DW did or did not do that crime. I do think the prosection has not proven that he did it, and I would vote to acquit him if I was a one of the jurors.

But, what if he did?

I find myself hoping there is a heaven and a hell. Whoever did that to Danielle deserves a place in hell.

If DW did not do it and gets convicted, I hope there is a heaven.

So, atheist that I am, I will join with you in your prayer. God grant this jury the strength and the wisdom to do their best.

[cyncooper]

Except that the name was printed on the receipt used in evidence along with his name.

No, the name of the establishment was not on the receipt.

[KnutCase]

You sound more like an Agnostic than an Atheist. Mayb e you should rethink things?

[pinz-n-needlez]

In a 165-page deposition Campbell gave to Sears' attorneys Nov. 4, he detailed his love affair with Mrs. Walsh during the two years he lived in the family's home. Campbell, who coached Adam's baseball team and was the boy's godfather, said Walsh and his wife smoked marijuana and used cocaine.

My goodness, Miz. No wonder John Walsh didn't have a problem with the Van Dams when he interviewed them. What a creep, and his wife too. Did Damon share after the interview? Enquiring minds need to know (or maybe not!).

[small_l_libertarian]

Feldman also gets Shen to say that the necklace fiber is dull orange, per her notes, and the other orange fibers are bright orange, also per her notes.

Later, during his re-cross, Feldman gets Shen to say that all of the colored fibers found on the sheet that Danielle's body was wrapped in (orange, green, red, blue, etc.) could have come from a multicolored blanket.

[cyncooper]

SO, now Cyncooper, WHAT SAY YOU ?

I say the affidavit and search warrant were not drawn up until 2/7 (I believe), NOT 2/4 or even 2/5. The detective first had to track down the drycleaners. The article about the affidavit states that DW told the police about the trip he made on 2/4. The article does not state DW disclosed the trip to them *on* 2/4. I contend if he had, they would have requested a search warrant for the drycleaners at the same time they asked to search his home, MH, SUV and computer and phone records.

[Jaded]

Nope. Why cloud the issues with more facts?

[KnutCase]

Sounds like the jury is trying to zero in on specific parts of testimony. In this case, it would favor DW. What say you?

[Space Wrangler]

A whole lot of dirty laundry could get washed in public

Exactly. Any competent civil attorney would have a jury wanting to hang the Van Dam's. Danielle's murder would become nothing more than a means to explore the VD's private life, and THEY would become the focus of any civil proceedings. IF DW were found not guilty, and they tried to sue him for wrongful death, he would countersue, and stand at least as good a chance of winning as they did. The VD's would be much better off to just fade away, and let the criminal trial decide Westerfield's fate. Of course, they have shown they aren't the shaprest knives in the drawer, so who knows what they'll do?

[Lanza]

If the jury is not given these new released documents, does that make an appeal "a given" if convicted?

[JudyB1938]

I had thought that maybe God was using this situation to bring Westerfield up short and get his attention so that he would turn his back on the wild life and get his soul right with God. I never thought about its effect on others. Praise God! The Holy Spirit has spoken to your heart. Do not reject Him. It could be your last chance.

You will be prayed for by people on this thread. You can rest assured of that!

Some thoughts ...

(1) Better to be safe than sorry.

(2) I'd rather have a shack in Heaven than a mansion in Hell.

(3) Once dead, you can't say OOPS, I CHANGED MY MIND.

(4) Near Death Experiences also include "going to Hell". They come back scared to death and right quick put their souls right with God.

(5) And the one I love the most ... JESUS LOVES ME ANYWAY. We don't have to be "perfect", because we are forgiven for everything we have done and for everything we will do! Amen to that.

(6) Then we have the comfort of knowing ... IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.

[The Other Harry]

You KNOW there are people praying for you.

It isn't me that I'm concerned with. My life is in my own hands. Most of the time, anyhow. Please never once pray for me.

[UCANSEE2]

Iam out hunting down the released affidavits.

CTV don't have em. SDChannel Don't have em.

BTW, whoever is doing UNPOSTED.COM has been working hard updating it.

UNPOSTED.COM - worth a look

[small_l_libertarian]

Was I hallucinating (no, not hello-cinating) that Torgersen testified that he "had received information that Twin Peaks might be the drycleaner to check" BEFORE he went driving around for a whole day?

[Jaded]

Bless you TOH. It's something. This trial has been an epiphany for alot of us is someway.

e·piph·a·ny (i-pif??-ne) noun
plural e·piph·a·nies


3. a. A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something. b. A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization:

[NatureGirl]

she couldn't believe why BVD would be attracted to DW.

Gee, I don't know? The fact that he HAD money maybe?

[Rheo]

I believe you are correct.