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.

[Rheo]

there is a possibility that the alert did not happen...will not admit to guessing yet

[Jrabbit]

Miss Graceless on CTV is close to tears!

[Jaded]

Who knows. You almost have to feel sorry for this guy.

[shezza]

Not until after the arrest, that is. Then he knew that his dogs MUST have surely smelled something at the mh!

[pyx]

So, on this evidence, they want to send a man to his death.

Yeah, but he had pr0n[sic] on his computers ! If that's not a capital offense, what is ? :9

[Rheo]

after 1/4" blood found in MH...subject to recall.

[jacquej]

You hear his last sentence to the judge, something about the possibility of getting a job... judge told him to take it up with Doosuck

[Unknown Freeper]

Is that smoke coming from Nancy Grace's ears?

[Rheo]

there will only be an hour lunch today

[FresnoDA]

Perhaps the "dog handler" is nervous about his intimacies with said dogs....and you know, he "might" be getting a job...LOL...One of the top 5 MAROON's to testify at this trial...just a few Pizza Party friends above him....(Got to leave room in case BARB testifies!)

[Rheo]

rosemary redditt...retired high school teacher...volunteer reserve LT w/the canine unit...must be the Lt that supposedly saw this alert.

[Rheo]

she also has a search and rescue dog

[Mrs.O'Strategery]

I usually don't watch C(rap)TV-- but I couldn't resist this time. I just had to see the talking head's expression... just priceless.

[Rheo]

on 2/6..had a request for dog team..she went as an observer.

[FresnoDA]

Finally.... A REAL DOG EGGSPURT...../so

[Rheo]

did not take her dog...had requested a scent specific dog..she watched him prepare dog..did not see search in MH.....15' back from dog and handler

[Jrabbit]

Know what you mean. I keep it on mute, but seeing her face was worth a thousand words!

[shezza]

Oy! DW's death-penalty conviction rests on the testimony of a volunteer dog handler (aka "180 Frank"), whose dog had only gone through a short course and had been re-certified once a year later, and a volunteer reserve lieutenant. (Note: in this neck of the woods, any citizen can volunteer to work with the police department--that doesn't make you a cop.)

[Mrs.O'Strategery]

LOL! I never thought of it that way! Poor Cielo...all he wants to do is please his handler. :^(

[Rheo]

cielo started on passanger side..went past door..storage compartment...walked by..turned around real fast and looked...rut roh.......looked at Jim...barked....went around MH..came back around..then compartment was opened..dog went to area...