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]

she has spent 4 or 5 days on this

[NatureGirl]

Re: pedigrees and inbreeding

I own a purebred standard poodle. And yes, there is in-breeding in his chart. Particularly grandparent-grandpuppy. I think the real problem (in dogs) starts when unscrupulous breeders breed brother-sister.

Breeders are going in for DNA testing big-time, in order to phase out breed-specific defects (such as hip dysplasia). These defects were IMO probably caused by line breeding.

[spectre]

Feldman is quizing the witness about how much money she made for this testimony and how many hours she devoted.

He's asking her about if she made any "runs" on other cases. She checks her notes.

One other case in Illinois she reviewed the results from.

Feldman suggests she "double-billed"...

I charge on a per sample case, she says.

"How many sample's at the same time she did this case"...

She answers at least 3 others, I think.

I think he is going for cross-contamination of samples..I think.

sw

[Rheo]

wonder how much money and time was spent on the unidentified prints in Danielle's room or on the slider and garage door and the stair railing?

[spectre]

She's a Turkey Breast expert...sw

[Freedom2specul8]

Yep...officer friendly told us that that's why there's so much hip dysplasia amongst larger breeds.. ie: rotties and shepards..

[Freedom2specul8]

big breasts?

[jacquej]

I did a search on a typical Viszla pedigree, and this is the fist one I clicked on...

Check it out, folks, and look at the same dogs on each side, and in the generations...

http://www.onpointvizslas.com/ Tuffypedigree.html

And, you are right, naturegirl... One of my dachsies was so linebred, albeit a beautiful dog, that his immune system was defective...

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

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...

Oh really? My son-in-law happens to be a canine police officer (has a Belgian Malinois) and I have never heard that explanation.

Interestingly, not nearly as many German Shepherds are used in police work these days.......at least not around our San Diego/Southern California area and I think it may be the same nationwide.

[Jaded]

Based on emotion? We haven't even heard the Defense.

[spectre]

"big breasts"..

Yep, no baby turkey porn...fully developed turkey breasts. Shoot!

sw

[MizSterious]

I think the answer is obvious. Layla put on an orange body-wig and did it.

[Freedom2specul8]

Yep, our canine unit rep said that it's very expensive to go to pick one out and that not as many depts are as lucky. I think the officer was flown out to choose his dog, and train with it.. or something like that..

[Freedom2specul8]

LOL

[shezza]

Layla in the orange wig in the motorhome with the lead pipe.

[185JHP]

AHA! So *that's* why purebreds are so often sickly, and not very smart!

[spectre]

Witness ADMITS she did not have complete information on the samples.

Why doesn't Mudd throw this witness out?

Oh, oh...she went thru her notes, last night and this morning, and came to a different conclusion..."Hairs could have come from Layla"? Feldman goes on to say logically, "Hair could not have come from Layla as Well"..Answer "YES"!

Feldmans whole point in cross-exam was the witness had to EARN her fee, so she leaned toward the Prosecutions side since they were paying her...

sw

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Yep, our canine unit rep said that it's very expensive to go to pick one out and that not as many depts are as lucky. I think the officer was flown out to choose his dog, and train with it.. or something like that..

I don't think you understood my point. They don't not use many German Shepherds these days.

However, the majority of their dogs do come from Europe. Some are even trained in foreign languages and the new partner will learn commands in same language. Holland is one of the most command sources for canine dogs.

Cost is not the issue. I merely spoke of the breed.

[John Jamieson]

As far as the talking heads are concerned, there will be no defense. He's been swamped by "MASSIVE" evidence against him. They have been making up, extra blood, hair, and dogs all along. Besides the girl in the video really screamed convincingly.

Yes, it's pure emotion.....SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY!

(You'd think Westerfield was in the video, but they can't even prove he ever even watched it.)

[John Jamieson]

As far as the talking heads are concerned, there will be no defense. He's been swamped by "MASSIVE" evidence against him. They have been making up, extra blood, hair, and dogs all along. Besides the girl in the video really screamed convincingly.

Yes, it's pure emotion.....SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY!

(You'd think Westerfield was in the video, but they can't even prove he ever even watched it.)