Trial of David Westerfield: Experts Testify At Closed-door Sessions: (DEFENSE BEGINS!! 7-02-2002)

Union Trib ^ | July 2, 2002 | Union Trib

[FresnoDA]

Animal genetics experts testify at closed-door sessions

SIGNONSANDIEGO

July 1, 2002

Two experts on animal genetics testified today in a closed-door hearing to determine if the prosecution will be able to call one last witness in the David Westerfield trial before resting its case.

One of the witnesses seen entering the courtroom for the hearing outside the jury's presence was Oliver Ryder.

Ryder is an adjunct professor of biology at UCSD and works for the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species at the San Diego Zoo.

Joy Halverson, a canine DNA specialist with QuestGen Forensics in Davis, also testified.

A third man who took the stand declined to be identified.

Westerfield, 50, is charged with kidnapping, murder and misdemeanor possession of child pornography in the disappearance and killing of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam. The self-employed design engineer could get the death penalty if convicted of the felony charges.

Dogs have played crucial roles in the prosecution's case.

A volunteer handler testified last week that two search dogs alerted several times while sniffing in Westerfield's motorhome four days after the victim was reported missing.

Also, police evidence technicians say hair consistent with Danielle van Dam's dog was found in the defendant's laundry.

Superior Court Judge William Mudd is scheduled to announce his decision on the final prosecution witness when the trial resumes tomorrow morning. Mudd has told defense attorney Steven Feldman to be ready to call his first witness tomorrow. Feldman has indicated he should be able to conclude his case by July 15.

Feldman told the judge he plans to call insect expert David Faulkner to the stand to try to pinpoint the time of Danielle's death.

In his opening statement, Feldman said the child's nude body could have been placed off a road in Dehesa as late as Feb. 16, a dozen days after his client came under 24-hour surveillance by law enforcement.

Prosecutors theorize that Westerfield killed the Sabre Springs second-grader and dumped her body at the East County site shortly after she disappeared Feb. 2. Volunteer searchers found the girl's decomposing body off Dehasa Road on Feb. 27.

Westerfield was arrested Feb. 22.

[Freedom2specul8]

Hmm, how many charges are against Dw? 1,2..3?? Let the excuses and so called disclaimers fall where they may.Even feldman didn't deny the child porn..he just tried to blame the son... obsession.. LOL It's an obsession to a few cuz they want to ignore the charge apparently. The charges still stand, the jury didn't cry over cartoons, and whether DW went into the house or not...it's not a prerequisite to kidnapping.

[Rheo]

IF he had an interest in children, why not take advantage of those most easily accessible? Why break into someone's house, which you've never been in, to satisfy that urge. Why not just grab a kid from a playground?

Exactly....and his DNA was run thru the offenders database and they didn't get a hit from some unsolved crime in the past.

[Jaded]

It's still sealed.

[Freedom2specul8]

"Actually, we are trying to discuss the other evidence and sworn testimony where there are gaping holes. "

So you are trying to say that everyone else to do bow down and abide by your rules?

[Freedom2specul8]

insert "Has"

[spectre]

Ditto...:~)sw

[mommya]

About Brenda and co. referring to DW as Dave - what's that all about? I remember in DW's taped interview, Redden asked him what he liked being called - Dave or David - he said David. I remember Kieth Sherman always called him David too. Does anyone recall how the other witnesses referred to him? (i.e. Garry, Jeff, Yvette?) Just curious.

[MizSterious]

"whether DW went into the house or not...it's not a prerequisite to kidnapping"

Here, I think, we have the...

IMMACULATE ABDUCTION THEORY!

Or maybe Scottie just beamed her out?

[Jaded]

The charges are there for motive. Why are you so single-minded on this issue? A child was killed. Who did it is a big issue. What books and video tapes do you have in your home that someone could look at and point the finger at you for possessing? 99% of those pictures were adult women. This argument is so Monica-era (can't use that other word). I would think members of Free Republic would be able to see the bigger issues here. Guess not.

If he did it prove it. Dusek hasn't. That is the REAL issue.

"The opinion expressed by the above poster in no way endorses or condones child pornography, in any way, shape or form. Any member of this forum who assumes otherwise, does so at their own risk."

[mommya]

good one.

[Rheo]

ping...not sure if you have been pinged yet.

[Freedom2specul8]

Ping to bonaparte..don't miss out on the fun. They're crawlin outta the woodwork!! ;-)

J, I can't seem to ''see'' your post, it's being dragged down along with the thread with well, junk.

[bvw]

"A child was killed"

As the primp-o-phile Arlen Spector would say, "Not Proven"!

There is some reasonable doubt as to whether Danielle Van Dam was killed, died accidentally, or died of natural causes.

[Freedom2specul8]

I know you love reading my posts, and making a comedy about everything..but I find this entire case repulsive. What do you call those people who try to tell other peole to not pay attention to the issues YOU don't agree with....friends?

[spectre]

Looks like trouble has shown up..I seem to recall this is OUR thread and the only thing crawling out of the woodwork are some cockroaches.

I'm getting off now, and see about some methods of pest control...awfully buggy here in Arkansas these days.

sw

[Freedom2specul8]

Too bad you guys are so possessive over Jim Rob's property...but hey, to each is own.

[FresnoDA]

STAND BY FOR OPERATION "SCRAM" T-Minus 5 minutes and counting....

[bvw]

That is to say, the the evidence and expert testimony regarding the death of Danielle is absent direct testimony as to cause of death, and any but the most inferential circumstantial evidence as to murder. There is no evidence of murder -- blood splatter, bloody weapon, marks on throat, evidence of trauma. There is no direct witness to murder. Only indirect circumstances from which murder can at best only be inferred.

[spectre]

Blast-off!

sw

[Jaded]

As applies to the accused.

There are unidentified finger prints on the points of entry/exit, the bannister, Danielle's door frame and dresser. There is also UNIDENTIFIED DNA on her blanket co-mingled with her own. Some people see fit to overlook these little tid bits, the DA in particular. Oh yeah, then there's the shell casing. Yes, the immaculate abduction.