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.

[spectre]

"Does bad science give a benefit of the doubt to the defendent?"

OBJECTION..."sustained"...I didn't get the other question...Feldman got it across.

sw

[Rheo]

I still have no feed....is this witness done yet??

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

command = common

Sheesh !!! Too much dog talk this morning.........

[rolling_stone]

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?

I only thought this witness was neutralized some others were credible and others pulverized. As to dingledorf, which one are you referrring to? Damon, Brenda, Denise, dog handlers, detectives, polygraph guy Redden who "wasn't taking a statement" Technicians who didn't wear booties and went from location to location, person who didn't see shell casing one day but saw it later, computer expert who I was told by computer person hasn't a clue about what he was speaking, police officers reports that repeatedly were contradicted by witnesses? Or Prosecution who didn't check possible exculpatory evidence..hair fingerprints etc. I believe this is a poor example of justice, more like JUST US whatever the outcome.

As for Danielle's friends, that remains to be seem, imo more likely for an adult to testify, but most neighbors will be hesitant to testify to anything helpful to DW...jmo.

[Yeti]

said dog alerted and sniffed shovel

That is so stupid of them. "Oh, the dog sniffed the shovel, that must be what he buried her with!"

Very clever... except she wasn't buried. The dirt and the scratches was from digging himself out.

Maybe he suffocated her with a shovel.

[shezza]

Must be lunch break.

[MizSterious]

Yes, and the judge called the attorneys into chambers. No lunch break yet.

[John Jamieson]

Sorry, new computer hickuped.

[Freedom2specul8]

Thanks for clarifying. I agree, he said they are used less or something like that because of inbreeding. That's also why the officer said that his dept was very lucky to get their dog because of the rarity in the US for having pureblood shepard..
Now that you mention it, he did have to use german commands. I had forgotten..

[Rheo]

LOL!

[Jrabbit]

Can we pleeeeease start the defense case now?

[Freedom2specul8]

LOL command/common....I commend you for speaking up. It is interesting. How does your son-n-law feel about the lack of faith in the LE in this trial? Does it lower squad morale?

[bvw]

Defense rests. (Just kidding, but hey why not ...)

[Jaded]

Just be patient, dear, they'll get there turn. At this rate it won't be until July 12 and 9 of the 12 jurors will be in a coma...

[John Jamieson]

Heh, I want to see Clapton first. He can testify about Layla.

[MizSterious]

Of course not. Everyone knows the prosecution has already proven their case with their "mountain of doofuses evidence. And Court TV has already decided anyway--who needs a jury?

[jacquej]

Many police departments go to Germany because the rearend of American German Shepherds has been ruined by breeders looking for a sloping rear end. If you go to any American dog show, you will see American German Shepherds who are practically walking on their hocks.

This was not true back in the 50s when we had German Shepherds. American breeders want to win at an AKC show, and will breed for "looks" or "type", and will neglect working ability entirely, so most American GSDs are useless for work, and they have done this by excessive line-breeding and breeding to just a few champion dogs, using frozen semen.

This is the reason we went to the Belgian Malinois when looking for a good all round, solid tempered, healthy farm and protection dog. They haven't been "discovered" by American breeders yet, are not that popular, and work harder, have better instincts, and are so much healthier...

Congrats to your son-in-law for having a Malinois... Our rescue male does a perfect "bark and hold" without ever having a lesson in his life on how to do this properly. And our bitch could take down a 250 lb man with no trouble, even though she weighs only 48 lbs.

That is another problem with the American GSDs, they have gradually bred them bigger and bigger, so that they just can't scale walls, work long distances, etc... too big to work, and too clumsy.

It is instinctive in the breed, although some of them can be quite "sharp", and need experienced dog people as owners.

I really hope the American breeders do not get interested in Belgians...

[John Jamieson]

Layla, you've got me on my knees.
Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.

[spectre]

Miz..CTV has Lisa Bloom on and another report by Beth Carass we've seen 100 times indicting DW.

What's going on now?

Side note..isn't it ashame Lisa isn't as pretty as her Mother? Must be hard on her....meow!

sw

[Jrabbit]

OH nooooooooooo! Gloria Alreds spawn is the anchor for CTV now! Muting TV doesn't help! Her screeching is making my dog bark.