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.

[Rheo]

Peer was in the MH on 2/5, 2/6 and 2/8

2/6 and 2/8 she conducted the search for biological evidence.

2/6, finding the 19 stains on the carpet, she did a Phenylthaline test and the 1 carpet stain, 1/4" in diameter, tested postive.

[pinz-n-needlez]

If he took the wild ride with dw on the 4th, he was there first!

My mind is totally muddled with details. I need to look only at the big picture for awhile.

Great finds!

[Rheo]

I thought that was the Chief of Police and Pfingst?

[pinz-n-needlez]

I'm going to bed, to dream about jars of pickles.

'Nite.

Check the links in the chat log.

[Rheo]

According to the February 19 Search Warrant 27845 that was sealed, they are requesting the police cell phone records between Feb 15-19, used while attempting to recreate Westerfield's travel route.

Did they do more than one recreation?

Why do the dates 2/15-2/19 sound so familiar?...oh yeah..that is the date the VD's got a call that was captured on their phone trap...that affidavit has just been unsealed.

Also the dates that Danielle's body was placed at Dehesa, per the bugs..hmmmm

[Spunky]

My head is all a jumble with all the information the Freepers are finding.

Time to go to bed.

[nycgal]

thought that was the Chief of Police and Pfingst?

Uh oh that's what happens when one assumes. The picture was in the article about Ott and Keyser so I assumed it was them. Boy, am I embarrassed. Is there anyway I can kill the pic?

[The Other Harry]

What is your guess ?

My guess is that there's no way I ever would have climbed up that hill carrying the dead body of a seven year-old girl.

[nycgal]

Please remove my post #860. I misidentified the people in the photo. Thanks

[fatima]

Harry,they asked for the porn,interview by police with westerfield and fiber lady as far as I know.

[alexandria]

Why do the dates 2/15-2/19 sound so familiar?...oh yeah..that is the date the VD's got a call that was captured on their phone trap...that affidavit has just been unsealed.

Too bad what was said during that call or where it came from is not going to be reveled.
One more thing. I learned something VERY interesting about DNA from teeth.
It seems that since the enamel that covers your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, the DNA in the pulp of the teeth therefore is the most well preserved and uncontaminated specimen. Also, tends to be there after other DNA has been disinigrated.

[Rheo]

The Chief of Police and Pfingst are responsible for a lot of things going on right now...let them wear the name of Ott and Keyser.

Sure would like to see a pic of those 2!!

Do you think most SD detectives can pay $300k+ for a house or is that not out of line in CA?...guess the wives could have good jobs too.

[Rheo]

It seems that since the enamel that covers your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, the DNA in the pulp of the teeth therefore is the most well preserved and uncontaminated specimen. Also, tends to be there after other DNA has been disinigrated.

That is an interesting fact....hmmm.

[alexandria]

Wasn't Keyser the cop who had a relative that vanished and they belived she had been murdered and prosecuted the case without a body and won? Or was he one of the cops on that investigation?
It was talked about after DW was arrested but before DVD body was found. When everyone asked the question about not being able to charge for murder without a body.

[fatima]

Dead is forty three,

[alexandria]

Yeah, the expert said all DNA disinigrates to nothing after long periods of time. The skeleton of a 50 year past case they were after yeilded no nuclear DNA just as the iceman or any mummy would not have.
The phrase, "tooth pulp yeilds uncontaminated DNA" is what got my attention. Remember, "EVERY marker matched exactly?"

[Rheo]

I had not heard about that one...ping me if you find the info.

[Rheo]

Freepmail

[nycgal]

Do you think most SD detectives can pay $300k+ for a house or is that not out of line in CA?...

$300K is in line for a decent size condo in a middle income area. Single family homes go for more. I'm going by the prices here in Orange County.

My friends in SD bought a condo for $160K 8 years ago...it's now going for over $300K.

[fatima]

dead=dread and is still alive,fatima