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.

[Freedom2specul8]

oh gosh.... I noticed when we click on a couple of the news websites that are covering this trial, sometimes a window pops up that says "do you have porn on your puter"

[Karson]

Lisa Bloom is trying to talk about maggots without gagging. Fun to watch, if you have Court TV!

Lisa Bloom is sooooo easily offended ... by some things. lol

I hope they don't start on this kind of testimony immediately after lunch. I think at least one of the jurors might spend the rest of the afternoon in the ladies room.

[Jaded]

LOL. That is too funny. Is this Dog DNA person coming back? I'm having trouble getting a reliable link.

[pyx]

Well, if all you say is true, it'll be great to see feldman rip it all to shreds.. to get the jury to ignore the hair, fibrs, blood, pulled curtains, ...

If you are referring to the motorhome curtains, there is photo proof from a hat cam that the motorhome curtains were open. If you are talking about DW having the curtains drawn that Mrs. "Kravitz" claims was unusual, then I would state that drawing one's curtains is to prevent a voyeuristic neighbour from peering into one's bedroom doesn't sound that suspicious to me. Its sound like the best thing to do.

[jacquej]

I thought the judge said they were only going to take a one hour break for lunch today. Did I misunderstang him?

[spectre]

"poor little Danielle" Lisa says..."eaten up with maggots"..

Then they flash DW's face.

Especially enjoyed one of the Defense attorneys she had on who said, Mudd COULD (operative word is "could") throw the case out from lack of evidence)...Is Mudd gutsey enough?

sw

[shezza]

Afternoon session set to start at 4:30 ET (1:30 PT). I don't think Real Player is accessible until just prior. Lisa Bloom on CTV indicated something along the lines of, "Now that the prosecution has rested its case, it will be interesting to see what the defense will bring us." I didn't see it, due to a lousy internet connection, but last I heard the counsel was in chambers with the judge, during the Bird Lady's testimony. (shrug)

[Jaded]

That's what he said. Guess the media missed that while they were busy handing down the verdict.

[Rheo]

They lived outside of Dallas, I believe.

[Green]

When the broke for lunch the judge said they were going to take their normal lunch from noon to 1:30.

[pyx]

Well, I hope I don't regret this. :)
If its not too incovenient, would you please consider adding my screen name to that ping list ?
Thanks

[Freedom2specul8]

What is a hat cam?

[demsux]

I really want to see Damon vs. Feldman redux

[Rheo]

I am shaking so badly right now...I've become a murderer....a cat ran out frm weeds on the road and right under my tires..couldn't stop or swerve it was so quick...stopped and looked and he was jumping in the hair about 6 times and then stopped...reversed into a driveway and a lady was out...told her what happended, she said don't worry...said it was a wild cat...thank you for stopping.....OMG...I am so shook up right now...

[Karson]

Do you know where they lived the first year they were in SD, before moving into the house in SS?

[Doc Savage]

I read the very erudite posts by spectre, MizSterious,John Jameison, Jaded, and of course FresnoDA and many others too numerous to cite, and marvel at how thoughtful, precise, and full of meaningful content they are. I salute your patience, insight and noble willingness to entertain both the positive and negative vis-a-vis this trial.

It must, however, be extremely frustrating and stomach curdling to scroll past the vapid, trite, puerile, supeficial, and meaningless LOL drivel posted by Kim.

I have suggested before, and I suggest again that as a van Dam sychophant she start her own thread which we would be more that happy to avoid at all costs. After all, one would assume she would be much happier frolicking with her fellow sycophants that wading into the fray with people such as those mentioned above who are so far and away superior to her.

[shezza]

Yikes! You okay?

[Jaded]

OH KIMMIE... jes' fer u.... Sing it loud, sing it proud!!!

You ain't nothin' but a horn dog cryin' all the time.
You ain't nothin' but a horn dog cryin' all the time.
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine.

When they said you was high classed, well, that was just a lie.
When they said you was high classed, well, that was just a lie.
You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine.

[Freedom2specul8]

ROFL.... Your dribbling again.. Doesn't the ward provide you with tissues.

[Freedom2specul8]

LOL~ Stop, stop I say!