In taped interrogation, Westerfield tells police 'my life is over'

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | January 7, 2003

[TomB]

In a videotaped interrogation with San Diego police detectives four days after Danielle van Dam was kidnapped, an exhausted David Westerfield says "my life is over," seemingly coming close to an admission that he murdered his 7-year-old neighbor.

"As far as I'm concerned my life is over, the life that I had, the life that I was living is over," Westerfield says in the interrogation conducted the evening of Feb. 5, 2002. Danielle was last seen the night of Feb. 1.

"But you can't blame anyone but yourself, Dave," answers one of the police detectives.

"And I have no problem with that," Westerfield replies.

In the tapes released Tuesday, Westerfield admits "unusual" sexual encounters with his wife, denies anything improper about his alleged use of binoculars to watch neighbors and says the child pornography found on his computer was simply something he downloaded along with a lot of other pornographic images and that he had no sexual interest in children.

Superior Court Judge William Mudd agreed Monday to unseal the videotape along with hundreds of pages of transcripts, documents and recordings in the Westerfield case, as well as transcripts of police interrogations and court hearings conducted in secret.

Some of the material – audiotape and videotape of Westerfield being interrogated during the early stages of the investigation – was released Tuesday afternoon.

The remainder of the material, which ranges from transcripts of closed-door court hearings to motions regarding potential evidence, will be released Monday, Mudd ruled.

The ruling Monday came three days after Mudd sentenced the former design engineer to death for kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Danielle van Dam, his neighbor in Sabre Springs.

Monday's court hearing came in response to a request by The San Diego Union-Tribune, which has been seeking access to the information for months. The San Diego-based 4th District Court of Appeal has ruled that Mudd must release the information.

The San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists made a donation to the legal costs.

Westerfield, who attended Monday's hearing, is scheduled to be moved within days to death row at San Quentin State Prison outside San Francisco.

During earlier court appearances, Westerfield was always dressed in civilian attire, but he appeared in court Monday in a green jail jumpsuit. He sat in a holding area so he couldn't be filmed by a television camera.

[UCANSEE2]

Kill the messenger.

[Freedom2specul8]

Tony Soprano..he played a real nasty guy who watched the movie/rape as it occurred. He sold the movie to the buyer for the rich guy

[UCANSEE2]

I would point out that RR mentioned her name , just a few minutes ago. I believe I hear him say the words,"Gloria Allred, her attorney".

[UCANSEE2]

Dear God, I know what you think. Let us hope you are right. That is what I think.

[UCANSEE2]

P.S. Pretty good comeback, too. :)

[cyncooper]

I can't help but wonder how much Gloria Alred's being Damon's lawyer effected RR's decision to not read Brenda's statement.

That is a very astute thought.

[Freedom2specul8]

Ha, Good point.. never even thought about that. I don't see how he could get in trouble over play what is now considered news..

Allred maybe a snarky liberal..but if she's got bite against the bad guys...I don't know... :)

[UCANSEE2]

Sorry, to leave you hanging.

Trying to listen. Was referring to posters making personal attacks based on article someone posts, rather than what the poster remarks.

I have noticed that on both sides.

[Valpal1]

It is also true that the Van Dams have won the war of public opinion. Doesn't matter what their life style was, its not an acceptable reason for DW kidnapping and killing their daughter.

If he had been an invited in, as opposed to being an opportunistic invader, it would be a different story. I'm quite sure RR knows where the "court of public opinion" stands on this issue.

I would like him better if I wasn't so sure that RR is just an empty shirt. No principles of his own like Rush for instance. Just recognizes that the general talk radio listnership is firmly to the right of center, so he's perched himself there as well.

[Freedom2specul8]

That's ok. Really, can you imagine how much we might have gotten done had there not been any snarky comments. (I love val's word..snarky)

I'm trying to figure out if DW does indeed have the old fashioned 8mm....would he have to take it to the store to be developed. Do you know anything about that kind of film, camera and projector?

[cyncooper]

Just recognizes that the general talk radio listnership is firmly to the right of center, so he's perched himself there as well.

I suspect you are correct. Day before yesterday I tuned in to see if he was discussing any information release and he was talking tax cuts--and did not impress me.

[UCANSEE2]

This bears repeating. BARLF said it first.

I think LE can say about anything to a suspect without fear of retribution. Especially off record. DW should have hired an Att. as soon as possible, not tried to be a nice guy and cooperate.

249 posted on 01/09/2003 1:39 PM PST by BARLF

[Freedom2specul8]

Nevermind..it looks like it does have to be developed.

http://home.pacbell.net/mnyberg/super8mm/8mm/basics.htm

[cyncooper]

RR explains that he had about 5 rum and cokes--maybe more, and a couple shots, at Dad's and that he watches how much he drinks because of his previous DUI.

[Valpal1]

If DW had lawyered up the first day, Feldman would have had time to cut the plea bargain deal before the body was found.

And there would never have been any contraversy surrounding the parents or the verdict.

[cyncooper]

DW is telling about seeing a red pickup with two Mexicans, one wearing a white hat, he knows it was Saturday morning. Parked across from "the lady's" house.

Sounds like another mini-Susan Smith moment (my opinion).

[EllaMinnow]

Thank you for replying.
I guess you could tell by my freepername that I am also a woman.

[Valpal1]

Well, we all sure hope so red, because the alternative is not a pretty mental picture;-)

[EllaMinnow]

LOL - I know!!

[UCANSEE2]

Now Valpal1. Do you really feel justified trying to state another thing as fact that cannot possibly be proven? That there is still a question over as to who originated the deal. I haven't heard actual proof of this so far. Has anyone?