VAN DAM vs. Westerfield, 6-24-02: Televised proceedings a far cry from O.J. fiasco!

Union Tribune ^ | June 24, 2002 | Alex Roth

[FresnoDA]

And away we go...

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PING..) ) )

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WESTERFIELD MURDER TRIAL RESUMES

(06-24-2002) - Week four in the trial of David Westerfield is expected to end with prosecutors presenting child pornography allegedly found on Westerfield's computer.

Last week, several forensic experts took the stand testifying about hairs found on 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

"There was a short dark hair and that was just lying in the underarm," said forensic specialist Dorie Savage, during Tuesday's court hearing.

Savage found the hair on Danielle van Dam, but does it belong to David Westerfield?

This week we may find out for sure.

"I would expect to see something on forensic results on that as to its source," said former prosecutor Dan Williams.

Williams believes forensic evidence and child pornography will take center stage this week in the continuing murder trial of Westerfield. He says prosecutors will try to link the images found on Westerfield's computer files with a motive for the crime.

"He's got a problem with child pornography and he acted out these emotions, these feelings and desires and wants that he has based upon his possessions of this pornography in real life by taking Danielle van Dam and kidnapping, probably molesting her and killing her," said Williams.

Williams says he's heard the pornography is extremely graphic, creating a major problem for Westerfield's lawyers.

Williams says he wouldn't be surprised if they offer little or even no cross-examination.

"No matter what one does from the defense standpoint to throw cold water on this thing, it isn't going to work," said Williams.

Williams has high praise for the prosecutors handling this case, especially when it comes to all of the forensic evidence, which can be complicated. But he says its all been laid out in a simple, understandable and complete presentation.

Williams expects the prosecution to rest its case by the end of the week. Then Westerfield's lawyers will have their chance, which Williams says he's interested to see, especially since Steven Feldman says he has scientific proof that Westerfield could not have killed Danielle van Dam.

[Freedom2specul8]

~New thread alert~

Rheo, you out there?

[nycgal]

Court not in session next Monday

[scholar]

No judge wanted a repeat of the O.J. circus, and none wanted to be known as the next Judge Lance Ito.

Hopefully, when the jury comes back with their verdict we can rest assured that justice has been done.

[Freedom2specul8]

Criminalist on stand ..been with sd county 4 yrs..

[Valpal1]

Bump to find for catch up later. Have a good day!

[Freedom2specul8]

DNA training and testing..trained in oklahoma, then went to work for sheriff's dept in sd and now employed with sd police for full dna work..has worked in dna for almost 5 yrs.

[Freedom2specul8]

Hi Valpal!

[Freedom2specul8]

walked upto Danielle's body...searchd immediately around the body.. garbled info...not sure if he found something or not.

[Freedom2specul8]

went to danielle's bedroom.. He identified/examined blue pj's. He found blood like stain on the cuff of left sleave..

[Freedom2specul8]

He tested and it was positive for blood. He cut a piece of cloth out...he also examined a long sleeve purple shirt. It had blood as well..cuff of left sleeve..small area of discoloration. He ran thechemical presumtive test for blood..positive.

[Freedom2specul8]

DNA...testing discussed..

[Freedom2specul8]

ran reference samples from parents...Danielle, Brenda, Damon, westerfield.

[nycgal]

One stain matched to Derrick Van DAm

[Freedom2specul8]

Could you tell which one?

[Bonaparte]

Competent lawyers and judges have no reason to worry about cameras in the courtroom. The public pays for these trials and has every right to know how they are conducted.

[Freedom2specul8]

Derrick was a ''major contributor'' to the dna..

[nycgal]

No, I assume it came from the beanbag.