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]

walked thru MH w/DW....see lots of kids in neighborhood...

[Rheo]

when parked on Mountain Pass...he could see kids walking past....dw has lights in backyard...not uncommon for dw to leave back light on...even during the day

[rolling_stone]

Based on your knowldege of men's clothing, do you think this witness, Paul Hung wears boxers or briefs?

[winodog]

And momo is also not a subtle dig? I have to admit those are the only two I have noticed but I did not start following the threads untill about the time you were allowed back on them.

[Rheo]

did not always have the white trailer with him (dw)..usually had trailer when someone was with him..helping load ATV's and stuff

[Freedom2specul8]

So the judge, the prosecutor, the LE, the VD's, the election committee, the media the friends and some of the neighbors are all involved in a hidden conspiracy that has no leader, just an unspoken agreement to what????? Convict an innocent man who just happens to child porn that only the jury can call child porn cuz we can't see it? There are no guard dogs standing at the door..to watch for unjust behaviour? Why doesn't feldman bring forward the arguments you present? He is after all an activist lawyer.. (notice he is trying to get pot legalized.) It is relevant.

[Rheo]

crossexam by dusek

[spectre]

Motor home left unlocked...Hose left out...hummmm?

They sure wasted alot of the States money with those "hose" pictures...geeze!

sw

[Rheo]

Elementary school is about 5-10 minute walk....looking at arial photo again.

[Rheo]

going on about the walking path to school and having to pass by MH

[Rheo]

works M-F, 8-6pm...leaves house about 8am..doesn't have to be there quite at 8

[Rheo]

school bus stop near house by park...so sees different age kids..doesn't know if elementary on up....

[FresnoDA]

Understand from reporters that Paul's middle name is either Duble or Wale....not sure which....LOL

[Rheo]

doesn't pass dw's house when entering neighborhood...so doesn't see other side of house.....asking about hose again and if it has a crank thingy to roll it up.....he cannot see the hose crank thingy but hose is sometimes on driveway

[Helen]

Paul Duble Hung or Paul Wale Hung! Funny!!

This guy's refreshing, too.

[Rheo]

can't see dw's rear of house so doesn't know if blinds closed or open

[demsux]

Don't ya think that if there was evidence against the dad...it would have brought forth as much publicity for pfingst as DW? Oh wait, the vd's have friends in LE..never mind.

I don't know about their friends in LE, but I do think SOME circumstantial evidence has been overlooked.

For example:

Danielle's diary

Drug/Alchohol induced persons IN THE HOUSE on the night this happened.

SHELL CASING found in Danielle's bedroom.

DOG IN HOUSE

SUSPECT UNFAMILIAR WITH HOME LAYOUT.

NO TRACE OF SUSPECT IN HOUSE.

[Rheo]

thinks dw got the mh about 2-3 years ago.

[Freedom2specul8]

Actually, that was just a nic, I wasn't trying to insult her. I thought she and i had a mutual respect..So, not sure what you are getting at. I call valpal1 val, I've called Jaded J, I'v ecalled john Jamieson JJ...fresnoda fres, mizsterious mizs..the list can go on and on. It saves time etc.. I've seen some not - so - subtle digs against those of us who haven't jumped on fres's bandwagon, other people have seen the flame bait from a minority of posters..and note, i did say minority of posters meaning a very few....have you?

[Rheo]

and drum roll please.....unidentified prints in her room and at doors and on stair railing!!!