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.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I'm sorry you feel as you do. I can't imagine living with no hope for my eternal comfort or that of my loved ones.

You may ask that prayer not be said for you, but it will anyway. Believers are just that way.

You see....our belief is stronger than your disbelief. The God that you refuse is stronger than anything you can imagine.

Let's put it this way, Harry. Some day you will know it and I hope you're on the right "side" when the Truth can no longer be denied.

[alisasny]

Creepy? I have heard others say that in reference to DW. What is creepy to me is the lifestyles of the married Van Dam couple. Westerfeld is a single man. I wonder what her chosen word is for the couple of the year?

[small_l_libertarian]

So far, the jury seems to be asking for the things that Feldman told them to check out. That could mean one of two things - they want to be able to justify a "not guilty" verdict, or they want to be able to say that they did everything Feldman asked, but still decided he was guilty. (That's a lot of help, huh?)

On another note, since they asked for the fiber stuff today, it appears that they settled the porn first, murder later, no?

[dread78645]

Search warrants and affidavits

[the Deejay]

I'm old enough to be BVD's mother, but she looks years older than me. (No brag, just fact.) It's obvious BVD
hasn't lived a clean life & her face reveals such.

[Politicalmom]

I think that they looked at the porn because it was SUPPOSED to be the motive. That is logical to me...

[JudyB1938]

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!).

The more we learn about the private lives of the parents of abducted children, the more we realize that some of those private lives ARE influencial in the dangers presented around their children. However, I do admit the information about the Walsh family took me completely by surprise. But now I know why JW was accepted with open arms, while the guy who saw Danielle's diary and made the accusation of sexual abuse was kicked out.

The devil always takes care of his own, and the evil ones will rally around each other. Might be something to consider in the future if another instance comes up like the Van Damneds ... who parents surround themselves with can be a good indication of unspoken things.

[Rheo]

New ones aren't there yet.

[The Other Harry]

On another note, since they asked for the fiber stuff today, it appears that they settled the porn first, murder later, no?

That seems correct. If they are taking this long to go through things, this could be a very long deliberation. I don't think that's bad for DW.

[small_l_libertarian]

That's what I thought, too, but most everyone disagreed with me.

[JudyB1938]

Harry, please remember what I told you:

"The Holy Spirit has spoken to your heart. Do not reject Him. It could be your last chance."

And I'd like to tell you something else ... You were led to post what you did so that the GOOD people could rally around YOU. You're gonna be prayed for whether the devil likes it or not!

[dread78645]

On direct he said he had to search around.
On cross-exam he admitted that he had information to believe Twin Peaks was the place.

Another "Lie for the Prosecution".

[Jaded]

Rheo,

Was David's blood anywhere on the Green Jacket?

[cyncooper]

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?

And some posters here assumed that meant he received that information from Westerfield. However, from this article:

"Dry Cleaning Receipt Was Key In Westerfield Case, Court Records Show"

Excerpt:

Search warrants released Monday show that one of the detectives on the case used the same dry cleaner as Westerfield. Because of that, he was able to identify the origin of a dry cleaner's receipt, dated Feb. 4, taken from Westerfield's vehicle just two days after the girl turned up missing.

[JudyB1938]

How much do you wanna bet that LIES FOR THE PROSECUTION are the "norm" in our courts!

I know a guy who had to plea bargain on a sexual abuse case. He had no more money or real property to use for his defense, so he had to go ahead and plea. I know for a fact that guy was innocent, because I know that family personally. The mother pulled that same stunt on other people when she got mad at them or didn't get her way. But the court wouldn't allow that into evidence!

[nycgal]

I wonder what her chosen word is for the couple of the year?

"role models"?

[nycgal]

I'm old enough to be BVD's mother, but she looks years older than me.

Me too.

[the Deejay]

I totally agree with you about the "creepy" (in poor taste)shots. I've just about had it up to hear with ctv common tators using that term.

vdams & co. lives in general are way more than creepy. And I wonder what Denise & BVD really consider "risque"? As well as BVD using the term "rude". As in her description of Damon & Barb remaining in the upstairs bedroom while the rest of the crowd was eating pizza.

From what I've learned about vdams & co., everything about that crowd is creepy, rude & risque. (And I'm being kind.)

[the Deejay]

Yes, on the back of the collar. More of his than Danielle's.