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Parents in Sabre Springs say slaying has left an imprint of caution

By Blanca Gonzalez and Elizabeth Fitzsimons
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS

September 17, 2002

Cheryl Carlson doesn't take anything for granted anymore. Eight months ago, she wouldn't have thought twice about letting her daughter, Savannah, walk down the street, just a few houses away, to play with a friend. But it is different now in her Sabre Springs neighborhood.

Danielle van Dam, one of Savannah's friends, was murdered by David Westerfield eight months ago, and yesterday a jury recommended he die for the crime. Carlson said her gut reaction is to be happy with the death penalty verdict and that Westerfield won't hurt anyone else.

Many parents in the north San Diego neighborhood want to put the ugly tragedy behind them, but they know it won't be easy.

"The kids don't play outside as much," Carlson said. "We are a lot more cautious than we used to be."

Parents picking up their children yesterday afternoon at Creekside Elementary, where Danielle attended school, had mixed reactions to the verdict. Some offered a curt "happy" or "great" and moved on. Others wrestled with their feelings about the death penalty.

"I'm Catholic, so it's hard for me," said Emily Lee. "(Westerfield's) crime was horrific. . . . I'm torn."

Like Carlson, Lee believes Danielle's kidnapping and murder will leave a lasting imprint on parents.

"We were so alarmed," Lee said. "We have become very careful, more vigilant about everything."

Caroline Maas, mother of three, was surprised by the death verdict.

"I thought life (in prison) was a possibility . . . if you compare him to someone like Charles Manson." Maas said that even though she didn't know Danielle, she thinks of her every day and echoed those who said justice was served.

Vicky Hoey said she has struggled with the death penalty for years.

"I'm just glad I wasn't on that jury," said Hoey. "My heart goes out to the van Dams, of course. I hope this brings them some measure of peace . . . although I don't know how."

Hoey and other parents said they are ready to move on.

"I'm very happy with the decision," said Holly Vitrano, whose daughter had been in Danielle's class. "I'm glad to put this behind us."

Frederick McClelland, a lawyer whose son had been a classmate of Danielle's, said justice was done.

"If he wasn't guilty, you would have seen more of a normal reaction from him," he said, referring to Westerfield's expressionless demeanor when the verdict was read.

Epitachio Cruz, who was picking up his 6-year-old grandson at Creekside, agreed. "He's guilty, so I'm with the jury. I think he got what he deserved."

After the verdict was read, there were two patrons at Dad's Cafe and Steakhouse, the Poway bar and restaurant where Brenda van Dam was seen the night before Danielle was reported missing.

Bill Wallner, 59, of Poway was sitting at the end of the bar drinking a pint of beer and playing an interactive video game. He expressed surprise at the verdict.

"I heard one juror was the last to go along with the conviction. . . . You gotta kinda wonder what was going on with that juror," said Wallner. "I'm sure we are now going into the phase of appeal No. 1, appeal No. 2, appeal No. 3 and so on. . . . The fat lady is not even in the county."

Ken Worley, 67, of Poway said he believes the justice system works.

"They were thorough and they sure took their time," Worley said of the jury. And he was critical of the media that covered the case. "I thought it was ridiculous the way they swarmed over here when the (guilty) verdict was read."

Yesterday, satellite trucks and TV news vans again camped on the van Dams' street. In the late afternoon, when Brenda and Damon van Dam pulled into their driveway with their two sons, reporters and cameramen rushed to surround the family.

Someone yelled "How do you feel?" Brenda van Dam said, "Relieved." The van Dams said they would make a statement today at La Jolla Shores, Danielle's favorite beach, where a memorial was held for her in March.

Earlier, a couple from Michigan toured the neighborhood. Bill and Karen Bouman had been following the case on Court TV and, while staying at the Lawrence Welk Resort north of Escondido, decided to "see the sights," Bill Bouman said.

They had a look at Westerfield's home and the van Dam home. After looking around, Karen Bouman said, "It just doesn't look like a neighborhood where something like that would happen to a little girl."