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.

[Jaded]

David Westerfield was in the presence of the police for the original 9.5 hour visit at the substation. After he came home after midnight, he was not allowed back into his home. He sat in his SUV, and two detectives got in to it with him. I believe it was Keyser and Ott. (could be wrong). After that they took him to a hotel and stayed with him. The next day they began their merry jaunt to recreate his travels. I could see he'd be more than a little testy.

I wonder that since LE was in the SUV with him, were tape lifts taken of these boys to determine if they left trace in the vehicle?

[ican'tbelieveit]

You also see Tuesday. Is this the supposed drop-off receipt?

[Politicalmom]

Wow....

[alisasny]

Yikes, I am watching the victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing for the CA High School Shooting in Santana.

Here we have a clear case that this kid is the killer.

If Westerfield is convicted I really don't think I will be able to watch the impact statements.

[UCANSEE2]

Here is a link to their website and the audio file. I originally found it on the SD UT website when it happended. Can't get to it now without paying.

Ken + John @$$Hole show archives. File dated 02/15.

Here is what I get when I click on that file. If anyone can do something with this, it would be very appreciated.

AND YES, Spectre, that is what they did.

Had to remove the GT and LT signs to get it to show.

ASX VERSION="3.0" ENTRY REF HREF = "http://www.johnandkenshow.com/audio/files/danielle.wma" / /ENTRY /ASX

[clearvision]

Date looks like 2/4/02 and maybe 12 something for the time.

[domestice]

It sure seems that way. I wonder if the jury in the OJ trial was sequestered???? Just curiosity

[Jaded]

Yoo Hoo, Cyn. Hadn't I been sayin' it? Didn't I tell ya?
Thanks for the present.

[alisasny]

Why would they need to be sequestered..they deliberated for what 2 hours???

Actually I believe they were but in reality it really didnt matter.

[UCANSEE2]

HOW MANY OF THOSE FOSTER PARENTS BELONG TO SWINGER &/OR PORNO CLUBS?

In SD ? Want it in numbers or percentage?

[Rheo]

Feb 5th warrant 27802 to search Westerfield's computer, computer files and disks for images of nudity and/or sexual activities involving juveniles and/or with adults.

The portion sealed on this warrant is Attachment "1"...last full paragrph on page 3 starting w/Van Dam stated and ending w/Westerfield.

Attachment "1" first full pargph on page 5 starting with "On 2/4/02" and ending w/evaluation

Says search but not copy so it must be the same thing, eh?

This has nothing to do with your question but just happpened to be listing this out and it applied to the warrant.

[Jaded]

It'd be the same one. See, black pants, black sweater, black t-shirt. That place is expensive. Hope they do a good job inspite of the front desk girls.

I still like the Black Catsuit theory.

[small_l_libertarian]

That is the one from the black clothes drop-off. Guess they didn't need Ott's brilliant detective work after all.

[UCANSEE2]

What I read on the search warrant said the the disks had an "X" and an "XO" on them, and the police KNEW that meant PORN. Therefore they got a search warrant.

[small_l_libertarian]

No idea. I got it from TheSanDiegoChannel.com.

[Jaded]

As I understand it, as of last September, you can begin a search and get the warrant later. I have the info at home. Try to remember to post it later.

[fnord]

great find!

is there a straight-on image available ?

[UCANSEE2]

So - the affidavit uses these discs to support the warrant - but they seemingly were not found till later - after the warrant was executed?

Kinda like all the other warrants and the whole case.

"We know he kidnapped her because he killed her; We know he killed her because he kidnapped her. We know both of these because she is dead. Therefore he killed her and kidnapped her, or vice versa. We need no other proof."

[the Deejay]

A telephonic search warrant doesn't fly. In court, such call would be hearsay.

I realized it was LE that placed those "extra" images of the
child porn onto DW's files. No question about it. At that
particular day/date/time, DW was at the police station.

I don't think LE legaly can make such copies of pc files. I
think LE has to have everything in its original condition.

Good sleuthing, NatureGirl! Bravo!

[Rheo]

Is this the receipt from the SUV or the receipt from off of the clothes?

The receipt that was on the clothes was testified to as having this info on it.