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.

[Jaded]

You have to admit this is an excessively emotional issue. I hope the jurors can put that aside and look at the facts.

[jacquej]

Just for everyone's information regarding the breeding history of purebred dogs... most breeders do what it euphemistically called "line-breeding".

This is doggy incest. The reason it is done is to get a "winner" at dog shows, establishing one's reputation as a breeder.

Mom may be bred to son, offspring may be bred back to Grnadpa, and those offspring may be bred to cousins, etc... Many of our purebreds go back to one particular champion who is the big winner of all.

For that reason, I can't see how mitochondrial dna could be helpful here... and if you do not believe me, take a look at some of the pedigrees of purebreds available on the internet, and see the incestuous relationships going back over 4 or 5 generations...

Just a doggy tidbit for all to chew on...

[Freedom2specul8]

Thank the lord they're not watching the vd threads..

[Jrabbit]

Dog hairs in MH. Tracked in by LE going from VD's to MH?

[spectre]

Feldman asks witness "Does that represent a change in your opinion?"...Prosecution asks to "approach the bench"! Feldman attempts to impeach the witness's testimony.

Witness is only giving her "opinion"...in my opinion...and we all know about opinions vs actual real evidence. :~)

sw

[rolling_stone]

What do you know about THIS jury, that brings you to that conclusion? The CTV talking heads are not on the jury.

I think they are in a bad spot, the local, national media and especially court tv have so misreported this case to IMO cause those not following it closely to believe without a doubt in DW's guilt. With Feldman trying so hard to sequester the jury and not getting it I am afraid the jury has been affected by media reports and communication with friends and relatives. The overwhelming disgusting crime will IMO cause some to want to find a guilty party to pay for this horrendous crime and DW is the most likely candidate at this time. People don't want to be known as the other O.J. jury ..jmo..

[Rheo]

Are they going to say DW is responsible for this doggy incest??

[shezza]

Well, the hairs were in HIS motorhome, after all. How else could they possibly have gotten there than by ill means?

[bird humming]

This person is way too pleased with herself.

She reminds me of a Stepford wife. Smiles at everything said, moves head from side to side. Must have a tray w/lemonade pitcher & glasses below the stand, getting ready to serve the judge & jury.

[Freedom2specul8]

During a field trip, we had dog handlers/canine unit from the local police dept explain to the kiddos how they purchase german shepards from germany cuz they don't do doggy incest...

[Rheo]

my feed is really bad.....she is on 3rd version of her opinion

[jacquej]

probably, and just in case a few other "posters" want to challenge my info, I am going to look up a typical pedigree, and post a link for all to see. Also, the more uncommon the breed in the US, the more often this happens...

[rolling_stone]

IMO this witness has been discredited and neutralized (not neutered) and VD supporters are free to whine while DW supporters can wine and dine during the lunch hour...

[John Jamieson]

I agree, he has already lost with the talking heads, but I expect him to win the jury.

[dread78645]

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

TV-less here. You're kidding me, right ?

[Rheo]

I have no feed.....

[shezza]

Discussing lab fees and charges. About $3000, not including testimony time.

[Rheo]

she is paid about $3000 a case...hasn't billed on this yet....lost feed again.....

[shezza]

(Compared to Bode Labs, who charged $50,000 for their mitochondrial DNA reviews.)

[Freedom2specul8]

I don't think they can neutralize everything that has been presented so far, with the exception of dingledorf. So are you of the opinion that feldman cornered all of danielles friends and got them to confess they played with danielle in the MH without dw's knowledge..and that she bled in it?