Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Trial of David Westerfield: Experts Testify At Closed-door Sessions: (DEFENSE BEGINS!! 7-02-2002)
Union Trib ^ | July 2, 2002 | Union Trib

Posted on 07/01/2002 5:50:00 PM PDT by FresnoDA

Animal genetics experts testify at closed-door sessions



SIGNONSANDIEGO

July 1, 2002

WeimaranerTwo 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.



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: vandam; westerfield
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 981-989 next last

Prosecution Asks For One More Witness

Closed-Door Hearing Held Monday

Posted: 9:31 a.m. PDT July 1, 2002
Updated: 5:01 p.m. PDT July 1, 2002
SAN DIEGO -- Two experts on animal genetics testified Monday 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 in chief.
Superior Court Judge William Mudd is scheduled to announce his decision on the final prosecution witness when the trial resumes Tuesday morning.

T.V.LIVE Trial Coverage Resumes 9 a.m. Tuesday
altOne of the witnesses seen entering the courtroom for the hearing outside the jury's presence was Oliver Ryder.

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

Ryder, who has published articles on mitochondrial DNA diversity in gorillas, also is the associate editor of the Journal of Heredity.

Dr. 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 motor home four days after the victim was reported missing.

Jim Frazee, who helps the San Diego Sheriff's Department, said his dogs searched the 1997 Southwind motor home Feb. 6 at a vehicle storage facility on Aero Drive.alt

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

Mudd has told defense attorney Steven Feldman to be ready to call his first witness Tuesday. 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, a twice-divorced father, 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 on Feb. 27.


1 posted on 07/01/2002 5:50:00 PM PDT by FresnoDA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: MizSterious; spectre; Amore; Travis McGee; BunnySlippers; DoughtyOne; Hillary's Lovely Legs; ...
Ping....Couneter Terrorism Thread...) ) ) LOL
2 posted on 07/01/2002 5:50:48 PM PDT by FresnoDA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
Anything to put Westerfield INSIDE the house? Ever?

Not closely focused on the case, that would be a real *critical* bit that I'm not aware the prosecution has been able to address. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

3 posted on 07/01/2002 5:53:58 PM PDT by newzjunkey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: newzjunkey
nope, not so far ... nor have they placed him at Dehesa ... nor any explanation how these would be unneccessary. The defense part will be interesting.
4 posted on 07/01/2002 5:58:03 PM PDT by fnord
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
Beautiful photo of a Weimaraner, but is there a reason for it? Were the search dogs run by Jim Frazee weims?

Defendant David Westerfield sits in court as
witnesses testified about hair and carpet fiber
evidence, during proceedings June 24, 2002
at the San Diego courthouse. Westerfield is
accused of the kidnapping and murder of
seven-year old Danielle van Dam from her
Sabre Springs home, last February.

Photo by Pool/Reuters - Jun 24 8:38 PM ET

5 posted on 07/01/2002 6:06:08 PM PDT by archy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
Poor Layla, the poor worthless watch dog, who doesn't bark and tears up her bed just isn't getting any attention or respect..:~( sw
6 posted on 07/01/2002 6:16:28 PM PDT by spectre
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: spectre
If this is the thread used for Tuesday, please PING these people. T.I.A.

UCANSEE2;FresnoDA; Mrs. Liberty; demsux; MizSterious; Jaded; skipjackcity; RnMomof7; spectre; Poohbah; BARLF; Valpal1; FriarTom; DoughtyOne; Amore; Travis McGee; BunnySlippers; Hillary’s Lovely Legs; fivecatsandadog; mommya; Doc Savage; ~kim4vrwc's~; goldenstategirl; Politicalmom; southflanknorthpawsis; Lauratealeaf; mini_teacup;Snow Bunny; Alamo-Girl; Republican Wildcat; Howlin; Fred Mertz; onyx;SusanUSA;MdmKoochie ;Uni-Poster;fnord;Uni-Poster; Registered; TXDeb; tutstar; theirjustdue;notpoliticallycor ewrecked;lady reaper;Beach_Babe;brneyedgirl; wonders; HoHoeHeaux; vacrn; Karson;sbnsd;Rheo;John Jamieson;jacquej;let freedom sing; nycgal; hergus; Hildy; tutstar; ThinkingMan; Amore; Howlin; Mrs.Liberty; rolling_stone; wirestripper; Jhoffa_; GummyIII; Luis Gonzalez; Lanza; sneakypete; Tennessee_Bob; Greg Weston;Shezza;Dudley;Winstar1k;is_is;Wednesday’s Child;Donzerly lights;Mrs.O’Strategery;pinz-n-needlez;Angelique;Jdontom;Nancie;Tiger28;sunshine state;fatima;Henrietta;Blue Screen of Death;pubmom;mickie;Spunky;it’s me;TexKat;gigi;Yeti;alexandria;luv2lurkhere;

7 posted on 07/01/2002 6:41:52 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: archy
Beautiful photo of a Weimaraner, but is there a reason for it?

Never mind the dog, who is the brunette beauty pictured in the body of the article? Hubba x2!

8 posted on 07/01/2002 6:44:18 PM PDT by Major Matt Mason
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Major Matt Mason
who is the brunette

That is Denise (sans pizza and dope), I belive.

9 posted on 07/01/2002 7:26:22 PM PDT by dread78645
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Major Matt Mason
Never mind the dog, who is the brunette beauty pictured in the body of the article? Hubba x2!

Dude...like that is "our" Swing Set player...Denise Kemal....like have you not been following the case??


10 posted on 07/01/2002 9:32:06 PM PDT by FresnoDA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
You called? Ahhh...a nice new thread.
11 posted on 07/01/2002 10:08:11 PM PDT by Politicalmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2; Mrs.Liberty; demsux; Jaded; skipjackcity; RnMomof7; spectre; Poohbah; BARLF; Valpal1; ...
new thread.....alert
12 posted on 07/01/2002 10:08:47 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
http://www.missingkids.com/download/porn_1.pdf

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY: IT IS A CRIME Why do pedophiles collect and disseminate child pornography? Special Agent Lanning states, "It is difficult to know with certainty why pedophiles collect child pornography and erotica. There may be as many reasons as there are pedophiles. Collecting this material may help pedophiles satisfy, deal with, or reinforce their compulsive, persistent sexual fantasies about children. Some child erotica is collected as a substitute for preferred but unavailable child pornography."1

Lanning further states Collecting may also fulfill needs for validation. Many pedophiles collect academic and scientific books and articles on the nature of pedophilia in an effort to understand and justify their own behavior…. In this material pedophiles share techniques for finding and seducing children and avoiding or dealing with the criminal justice system.

Pedophiles swap pornographic photographs the way boys swap baseball cards. As they add to their collections, they get strong reinforcement from each other for their behavior.

The need for validation may also partially explain why some pedophiles compulsively and systematically save the collected material. It is almost as though each communication and photograph is evidence of the value and legitimacy of their behavior.

Some of the child pornography and erotica collected by pedophiles is saved as a souvenir or trophy of the relationships with children. All child victims will grow up and become sexually unattractive to the pedophile. In a photography, however, a 9-year-old stays young forever.2

13 posted on 07/01/2002 10:10:35 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
Pedophile *internet* profile: Young, white, wealthy

Associates of an Infoseek exec arrested for using chat to solicit a minor may have been shocked and surprised, but not the FBI.

As it turns out, a corner office at a high-profile, high-tech company isn't such an unlikely place to find an online pedophile -- not according to records being yielded from a three-year-old Federal Bureau of Investigation crackdown on Internet pornography.

Of the 413 people arrested as part of the agency's "Innocent Images" investigation since 1995, "only a handful have not been upper-middle-class, educated white men," said Special Agent Pete Gulotta who serves as the investigation's chief spokesman. "They're almost all white males between the ages of 25 and 45.

"We've had military officers with high clearances, pediatricians, lawyers, school principals, and tech executives," Gulotta said of those arrested under Innocent Images.

Here are some you might want to check out later.. And for some more info to ''weigh in''

profile

Characteristics of a typical pedophile

Memoirs of a pedophile victim

http://www.sexoffender.com/

A Profile of the Child Molester
predators
Child abuse investigations

National Conference
Dr. Chaiken reported that of the 95,000 sex offenders in State prisons, 60,000 most likely committed their violent sex crimes against children under age 18. The majority of those serving time for violent sex offenses against children committed their crimes against victims age 12 or under. He endorsed the implementation of the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which collects more detailed crime information, leading to higher quality crime data and, ultimately, stronger laws.

CNN interview with John Walsh

when your child is missing

a safetynet for internet
MORE INFO

Hackers against pedophelia

Valor tracks down pedophiles over the Internet, breaks into their computers, erases any child porn images he comes across and destroys their hard drives. Then he hacks into the target's Internet Service Provider to change the log-in message so that every user who tries to get on the net that day learns that one of their members was found in possession of kiddie porn. For good measure, he sends the pictures and directory to the ISP's systems administrator, "so they don't come after me," Valor says. Valor tracks down pedophiles over the Internet, breaks into their computers, erases any child porn images he comes across and destroys their hard drives.

Graphic Pedophiles always have been out there. The Internet didn't create them. But it gave them a huge and seemingly anonymous arena in which to trade child pornography or to lure children into sexual encounters. Just like the real world, much of the Internet is safe for children. But electronic conversation areas called chat rooms or chat channels allow direct, unsupervised contact between adult strangers and children, most of whom would never talk to adult strangers face to face. What more could a sexual predator ask for? "Historically, pedophiles thought they were alone out there," McCants said. "Now it's booming on the Internet because they feel validated. It almost makes them more aggressive." Put pedophiles together with millions of teen-agers discovering their sexuality and surfing the World Wide Web, and you have a situation ripe for abuse. "Your children are actually with some stranger in their bedroom," Hubbell says of online predators, called "travelers" by investigators. "These guys will travel all over the country to meet these kids who say yes."

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal to a new federal law banning the sale of sexually explicit material on military bases. Such a law is warranted considering the rash of sex scandals in the military. The less provocation the better. However, rapists and pedophiles, for whom such a ban is needed even more so, are free to purchase, view and display obscene material. ,P. In a recent case in New Jersey, Judge Alfred Wolin of Federal District Court in Newark handed down an outrageous decision. A suit was filed by two pedophiles who challenged a law banning pornography from the state’s Avenel correctional facility for repeat sex offenders. (Washington Times, 7/2/98) Judge Wolin stated that the law’s broad language was unconstitutional and that the state failed to prove that such a ban would rehabilitate prisoners. (New York Times, 7/23/98) According to the 1986 Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography, more than half of rapists say they were provoked to commit an offense by pornography, and 42 percent of child molesters "implicated pornography" in their crimes. (Washington Times, 7/2/98)

In Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio enforced a ban of all depictions of frontal nudity in his jails. One inmate, when he was denied his subscription to Playboy, filed a suit citing First Amendment violations. In the papers he filed, the inmate claimed he was denied access to newsworthy interviews and investigations. (Washington Times 7/28/98) A three-judge panel in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco declared Arpaio’s ban unconstitutional. Again, broad language was the reason given. The panel did suggest that a more specific definition of "sexually explicit" would create a new case. (Washington Post, 7/18/98)

14 posted on 07/01/2002 10:11:25 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
The following was posted by VAlPal

To: FresnoDA

SOURCE First three paragraphs not included in this post.

Pedophiles and Child Molesters:
The Slaughter of Innocence

Pedophiles

Many of these offenders have extensive collections of child pornography or child erotica that feed their fantasy world. These photos and drawings will typically be cut outs from newspapers and magazines that other people would find inoffensive or even innocuous. Pedophiles will frequently videotape children from television shows and commercials. They will also attend sporting events in schools and surreptitiously tape these events. Undoubtedly, the notorious video clip of JonBenet Ramsey participating at a Colorado beauty pageant has found its way into the video libraries of pedophiles across the country.

These collections of pornography are often considered the pedophile’s most valued possession (Lanning, p. 28). The collection represents years of work and symbolizes, in tangible form, his inner most sexual fantasies and thoughts. The collection will consist of slides, commercial photos, souvenirs, toys, Polaroids and virtually any other type of material that relates to or displays any minute reference to child sex. Child erotica collections will vary in quality and quantity, often depending upon the economic status of the collector. Police have found that the older the pedophile, the more extensive the collection will be. Since true child pornography requires a clandestine effort to obtain, the majority of these collections will be erotic in nature as opposed to pornographic. And often the focus will be upon one or two aspects of sexuality. Preferential child molesters especially, preserve these types of collections and will do anything to safeguard them. Offenders have been known to make formal requests to the police agencies to return these items after their case has been adjudicated.

The pedophile collector falls into three general categories: closet, isolated and the sharer. The closet collector maintains and views his erotica in secret and does not molest children. This type of collector builds his collection in a clandestine manner and keeps its existence a secret. Sometimes, he will maintain this collection for years without the knowledge of a live in spouse. The isolated collector is actually engaged in molestation and will display the material to a victim. The sharer-collector trades and displays the material with others and may do so for profit. He also will molest children and keeps company with other pedophiles. Since other criminals, like burglars, muggers, car thieves, rarely collect artifacts relating to their criminality, why do pedophiles collect? The answer to that question lies in the psychological characteristics of his condition. He has a twisted sexual compulsion for children whose origins are separate and apart from criminality. His deviance is defined as criminal only because society has deemed it so. Some pedophiles believe that they have done nothing wrong and are simply more enlightened than the general public. They feel they are part of a special progressive movement and one day society will come to accept, what they see as, their sacred ritual of adult/child sex.

From a practical standpoint, collections serve crucial needs for the pedophile. First, child erotica and pornography are utilized in his crimes. The pedophile will display this material to a victim in order to lower his inhibitions and introduce him to the possibilities of sex with an adult. This is a very important step in the seduction process. Secondly, the pedophile will use the material for his own sexual gratification. Often it is used in the arousal phase prior to sexual activity with victims. Still others will use photographs of the abuse to blackmail their victims into further sexual activity. After engaging in sexual acts with an adult, a complex set of emotions engulfs the victim. These emotions include humiliation, attachment to the offender and fear of exposure. The victim becomes extremely fearful that his friends and family will learn of the sexual activity and he will suffer harsh consequences. Pedophiles are familiar with these feelings and will use those emotions against the child. Pornography plays a pivotal role in the child sex offender’s life. But most importantly, it is the tool of his trade used to induct his victims into his sexual fantasies. This is why law enforcement is always on the alert to the onslaught of pornography on the web. [1] Authors Best and Luckenbill discuss the characteristics of loners, colleagues and peer deviants in Organizing Deviance (1992). [2] Reported by CNN January 28, 1997.


A lot has been made that the pornography didn't amount to much. But this article points out that a large portion of a pedophiles collection will not be necessarily illegal images. Were the non-pornographic images described at the PH?

21 posted on 3/28/02 11:46 AM Central by Valpal1

15 posted on 07/01/2002 10:12:57 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
source
Westerfield's lead attorney Steven Feldman warned the potential jurors that sitting on the case would be "an extraordinarily intense experience." He told them they would be required to look at "very, very grim" crime-scene and autopsy photos. He also warned them they would be forced to view pornography depicting "naked pre-pubescent girls" and "very, very graphic sex." Westerfield also faces misdemeanor charges of possessing child pornography.
16 posted on 07/01/2002 10:15:57 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
http://www.uniontrib.com/news/ metro/danielle/20020506-9999_1m6westerfieldpapers.html Elsewhere in the documents made public today, prosecutors say Westerfield admitted to police that he was responsible for downloading the pornographic images onto his computer and disks. At his preliminary hearing, Westerfield's lawyers suggested that his teen-age son might have downloaded the images.

"The images were organized, categorized, and labeled so the defendant could easily locate the images he desired," Dusek wrote in the motion. "The images depicted very young nude girls, young girls involved in sexual acts with adult men and other young girls, and young girls involved in sexual acts with animals."

Westerfield, 50, "has admitted to the police that he was solely and personally responsible for downloading, categorizing and maintaining the images," Dusek stated. "Contrary to the insinuations attempted by the defense at the preliminary hearing , neither the defendant's son nor anybody else was responsible for this huge collection of computer images."

17 posted on 07/01/2002 10:19:31 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: All
Previous thread: Monday, July 1st
weekend discussion thread: June 29 - 30


"official VD transcripts"
People v Westerfield Prelim Transcripts

March 11, 20002, AM
March 11, 2002, PM
March 12, 20002, AM
March 12, 20002, PM
March 14, 20002, AM
March 14, 2002, PM


Freepers Investigate the Van Dam Case

forums about Danielle Van Dam
freeper ezboard
websleuths.com
WebbSleuths Forums (not affiliated with websleuths.com
Webbsleuths: Running transcripts
collection of photos (good one!)
Courttv...dusek..opening statement
watch live..sandiego channel
rr radio show
Court tv
http://www.kogo.com/main.html
Union trib has forums: scroll to the bottom

18 posted on 07/01/2002 10:29:48 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
Kim, I think pedophiles are utterly SICK. I am saddened to see so many make excuses for them.
19 posted on 07/01/2002 11:47:06 PM PDT by BunnySlippers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2; spectre
Please add my name to that ping list. Thanks.
20 posted on 07/02/2002 12:02:41 AM PDT by JudyB1938
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 981-989 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson