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]

doesn't recall if he talked to dw after dw went into his house...was one of dw's girlfriends, susan, asian...not sure..dark skin and hair

[is_is]

Q WHEN YOU TAKE A NAP? A DURING THE DAY, NO. WE DON'T.

Kim....as i've said i am withholding judgement....but....there are many reasons why he might draw the curtains....just because this old lady doesn't close her's except at night means NOTHING.....the possibilities are endless.....including having Danielle in there or NOT having her in there....... but someone else.....remember the open criptic remark about some testimony that would exonerate him????

[MizSterious]

Sounds like that show's more up your alley than anyone else's.

Maybe this will be the men's underwear edition. Especially horndog underwear.

[Freedom2specul8]

What, you're not watching ctv? Gosh..I'm shocked. :)

[Rheo]

dw told him breaking up with susan was tough...doesn't recall when....more like breaking up is never easy to do....dw's house is neat..very clean

[Rheo]

dw used to have a little black short haired dog...little mutt.

[Jaded]

I have a day job. They don't provide me with a TV with satellite feed. It's such a burden being a mere serf.

[demsux]

This guy has got to be THE MOST CREDIBLE witness so far!!!

[irgbar-man]

I've become a murderer....a cat ran out frm weeds on the road and right under my tires..

You're so sweet. I could have steel-belted a momma raccoon and her two whelps last night and I'm kicking myself that I didn't. Dang tree rats!

[Rheo]

Feldman.......left after work on Friday 2-5:30....got back around 10:20 on Sat.

[MizSterious]

I know, and that's a real change of pace, isn't it? Credibility...think it will catch on?

[Rheo]

media descended on neighborhood that weekend...didn't stop for weeks.

[Rheo]

media coverage in neighborhood continued after dw's arrest....police showed up at his front door to complain about his folks mh....dw told mark the same thing happened to him.

[Krodg]

Do you know where this pic was taken? Thanks.

[Rheo]

Janet Rohr is up

[rolling_stone]

Maybe DW had the curtains drawn while he was watching TV in his undies inside the MH, so no snoopy neighbors would brand him a pervert. Or maybe he was just sleeping off a hangover and didn't want the light to bother him.

Imagine DW abducting, molesting and killing a 7 year old girl them walking into a dry cleaners wearing only undies and a t-shirt to drop off your bloodstained jacket and comforter used in the crime, nah not even DW is that stupid...

[Freedom2specul8]

I know there are many of ya out there who have not decided if he's innocent or guilty..wish more of ya would post..and you are correct, he may have good reason for closing the curtains. If he doesn't get on the stand, we may never know why...

".remember the open criptic remark about some testimony that would exonerate him????

Yes I do..as I've said before, I can't wait to see what it is..very curious indeed. (will it outweigh everything presented so far..)

[pyx]

Gee...they were gone Friday night and didn't stick around Sat... [snip] ...rescued a VD child (little boy)... sustained

This is astounding ! If one of the other Van Dam children required "rescuing" and the prosecution Objects and Judge Mudd Sustains that objection, that is not right in my opinion. Was there child neglect by the Van Dams ?

If one of the Van Dam children needs to be rescued it can be a sign of child neglect and that should be a part of this trial as I describe below.

Drawing a connection from possible child neglect that requires the rescue of one child to having another child (Danielle) kidnapped by strangers being in the Van Dam house because they were there to have sex with the parents, seems within acceptable and necessary testimony to me. If the Van Dams are allowing their children to be exposed to dangerous people within their own home because of neglect, then I think Judge Mudd should allow evidence to be given since that would seem to be a direct reflection on the crime scene itself.

[demsux]

I'll take these character witnesses over the pizza party people anyday.

[Rheo]

dw was very helpful and nice when they moved in..she also knew susan.