Damon Van Dam Testifies Tearfully, Fends Off Lifestyle Attack:Day 3 of Westerfield Trial

CourtTV ^ | June 6, 2002 | CourtTV

[FresnoDA]

DAY 3: Westerfield On Trial

[theirjustdue]

Do you remember where I stood not so long ago...? remember what we shared in freepmail? I think the truth has came out and in more ways than one.

Kim, unless you are willing to share it with all of us, why not limit it to FReepmail?

[Amore]

Me, I was going to freepmail this to sbnsd, but since it's sort of related to a couple of things you said here, I'm just going to post it here, and we will all hope that it's my last word on the subject:

Sorry to be so short with you before, sbnsd, I was in a hurry to post. It cracked me up, you reminded me so much of myself in past days!!!!!! I've tried to be the peacemaker for months on these threads!!! This was partly because -- you probably won't believe this now! -- I'm the peace-maker type and partly because my views were in the middle. I think DW is the right guy but I find the VDs are very fishy and believe they bear some fault in what happened. When my feeble attempts at making peace went awry, I managed to stay civil with everyone except spectre. Now, in backing up Bunny, I've added southflank to my list. That's unfortunate. The other reason why I find it so funny is that I've done the same thing, fault one person for something when, unbeknownst to me, I was missing crucial information. Anyway, sorry for your sake that this happened, but I've never been involved in a flame war before (well, except previous VD threads, but that was when I was in my quite-obviously-unsuccessful peace-maker mode!) Again, for innocent bystanders such as you, I apologize for the unpleasantness, but I don't apologize for anything I've said.

[Freedom2specul8]

Good point.. my apologies.

[Freedom2specul8]

Well, our freepmail was related to what amore just wrote about her peacemaker status..we'll leave it at that.

[Politicalmom]

No trial tomorrow? Missed that. And I agree, but I think we are not going to get our wish. I am sick of wading through all this junk to get to the interesting arguments.

[nycgal]

I can't help but imagine what I'd be thinking right now if I was placed on that jury.

If I were on the jury, I'd like to think that I would be keeping an open mind and not assume that DW is guilty just because the prosecutor said so. I would want to see proof, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is guilty.

In the meantime I would be watching everyone's body language, defendent and witnesses, and listening attentively.

[BunnySlippers]

In the meantime I would be watching everyone's body language, defendent and witnesses, and listening attentively.

CNN is just now playing the 911 tape ... I must say that she didn't react the way I would have in the same situation.

[skipjackcity]

"How about if everyone tales a break the rest of the night and let's all go out dancing for a bit of relaxation."....Yeah, anyone else want to meet at Dad's?

[Freedom2specul8]

Is there anyway we can confirm what was on the slide show during opening statements?

[sbnsd]

If I were on the jury, I'd like to think that I would be keeping an open mind and not assume that DW is guilty just because the prosecutor said so. I would want to see proof, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is guilty.

I would be thinking the same, open mind, looking for doubt. From today's ME's testimony, there's no proof of sexual assault. You can't say DW raped her. He may have, but the reasonable doubt is there. Unless they introduce sperm samples found as evidence from somewhere, how can they prove the pedophilia angle? Pictures on a computer can't prove he acted it out. Also, he may not have sexually assaulted her.

If you can't prove that angle of the motive, the most you can say right now is that he abducted and killed her. Right? What can they claim as motive?

[Freedom2specul8]

It's amazing...you've been one of the most civil posters on the vd threads and everyone knows it...

[nycgal]

At this point in the trial, no evidence has been presented to tie DW to the kidnapping/murder. The next couple of weeks may provide us with that. In the meantime, DVD, BVD, Barbara, Denise, Rich, and the rest of the swingers appear to me to be as likely to have committed the crime as DW. In fact more since we have unrefuted testimony that they were on the property.

[Amore]

Thanks, Kim. Night all!

[let freedom sing]

"my daughter is not in her bed (at 9:30 Sat morn)-- would sound more credible as, "my daughter is not in front of the Sat. morn TV cartoons."

[mommya]

Just some thinking out loud...When they showed the pic of the inside of Danielle's room - I noticed that the beanbag chair was right inside the door in front of the closet. I know Damon says that when he put her to bed she had "all her babies" tucked in with her - no mention of beanbag chair on bed - and Brenda sort of looked puzzled about it at the prelim. I know it's been speculated that the chair may have been placed in the bed to disguise the fact that she wasn't there - but upon seeing it in the photo - I thought it could be a likely murder weapon - no? Maybe someone did step in the room to hide - like they panicked upon hearing someone and just headed for a door - not even knowing it was Danielle's room - but once inside they got a bit of thier bearings in the moonlit room and just stood there silently trying to bide time. Maybe Danielle stirred or actually woke up and saw the person - but before she could do anything the perp scooped up the beanbag chair and put it over her - maybe sitting on it - smothering her - or perhaps just rendering her unconscious. The perp waits around till it seems safe to exit, taking Danielle's body wrapped in her blue blanket (I hadn't heard of the blue blanket till the trial.)

I know it still leaves questions, but what do you all think?

[Freedom2specul8]

G'nite Amore..I've not been on and off the computer so much since I dont' know how long. Today was a long day.

[BARLF]

Your 551 post, second thought. Others responded to your first thought so I'll take #2.

This thing with Rich saying(to DW) "We know what you are about!"

I find this statement very interesting. Rich Brady was /is the baseball coach that was/is(?) dealing pot. Yes, Brenda & Peter Damon both admitted Rich was their pot supplier.

Is it possile that with DW cozing up to BvD and friends that someone thought he (DW) was a cop-a narc? Or vice perhaps? This would explain the confrontation and the fact that everyone "closed up" on DW.

You may be on to something here and a good observation on your part. That would explain why DW was an immediate suspect in the disappearance of Danielle. Police tipped by Rich. That could also explain why DW became so nervous. IE: Left home early and apparently without his usual loading of the MH that Saturday AM, Feb.3. Could have been the cause of his erratic ride around the countryside(scared for his life,perhaps?) Checked out the scene in his neighborhood on Sat. when he came back for his wallet? Knew something really bad had happened and after talking to Mark, a neighbor,checked his pool and house and left for the erratic ride. Returned on Monday, and according to the woman at the cleaners was nervous, silent and poorly dressed. Police was waiting for him, he knew what they wanted, that could explain the heavy sweating,etc., and the survellence of his every move after that might have kept him alive.

I'm beginning to think this Rich Brady should be looked at closely by the LE,or maybe they are looking. Drug dealers are dangerous people, in more ways than one. Also, it has been said on this thread that Brady was the one that complained about DW parking his MH on the street.

Lots of thoughts running thru my noggin about this scenero.

Thanks for your post...

[Beach_Babe]

Rich Brady lives on the same street as the VD's and DW?

[dougherty]

I haven't even begun to go through this thread yet, but I would like to ask a question. Does anyone believe DW will take to the stand? I believe there is much more to his relationship with BVD, and would like to hear his version of events.

[BARLF]

No, at least I don't think so.