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.

[domestice]

I have heard that DNA can be gotten from teeth...maybe this is why there are missing teeth. Speculation anyhow.

[small_l_libertarian]

I really appreciate your input, Rheo. You know the evidence in this case inside and out. Thank you.

[small_l_libertarian]

I love the way your brain works, JJ! You always take the weird angle! Great job.

[Jaded]

You mean like a statement from the defendant?

[Politicalmom]

(Are you saying JJ is twisted?) : )

[Rheo]

Why all this different types and locations of blood in the VD home that doesn't belong to Danielle? Perplexing to me?

Perplexing to me too.

3 spots of blood on upper stairs..supposedly from dog...how did dog not get blood elsewhere?

Blood on cuff of pj's....non reportable results...is this cuz the blood was swabbed off to place elsewhere??

Blood on the VD garage door..non reportable.

The lead detective and the CHILD ABUSE expert are not even informed of this stuff while walking thru the house to determine if the child may have been harmed at the hands of the parents.

What the heck!!

[small_l_libertarian]

Wow. I can't wait until you catch up.

[hoosiermama]

I have no trouble following JJ. Very Logical to me.

[small_l_libertarian]

No, but he always sees possibilities that the rest of us don't. I think that's cool (if a little bit twisted).

:-)

[BARLF]

I haven't looked for Ott and Keyser. I was surprised so many LE took a joy ride to the MH on the 4th. Westerfield led the pack. Guess the LE was afraid DW would make an escape or something,being the dangerous man he is..

BTW, the LE went in 2/3 cars. I'll watch for Ott and Keyser now when in the PH.

[Guenevere]

#639...Where can I find that article?

[John Jamieson]

My wife thinks so!

[NatureGirl]

3 spots of blood on upper stairs..supposedly from dog

If I picture a dog that's just "split its nose open" (yeah right), the first thing I see it doing is shaking its head, maybe pawing at its nose, but definitely shaking its head, and making that sneezing sound. Droplets of blood flying everywhere...

[Jaded]

Little late in the day for that. Tho, it would have been nice. Then DewPointDusek would have objected and the idiot judge would have sustained it. Like that's a big surprise.

[Politicalmom]

Just kidding....

[BARLF]

Oh, I believe PH spells his name as Ray. Are there two people? Sgt. Ray and Wray? Or did the typist just spell it wrong? In my above post......I took that from my notes,so maybe I got it wrong.

[Rheo]

Amazing, isn't it.

The man comes home and finds 7 detectives waiting for him and then they all follow him to the MH.

He was supposedly just a neighbor who was gone for 2 days..and left his hose out.

This would make more sense had they talked to him previously or he had priors or something.

Smells of a railroad from day one.

Also wonder if LEO didn't enter his house thru the unopened back door prior to him returning on 2/4.

[the Deejay]

It's in the SDUT archives. I'll see if I can find it.

[small_l_libertarian]

I know you were. I just wanted to compliment him again. :-)

[Jaded]

I think DewPointDusek said it probably fell out of the pants cuff of a detective. Sheesh.