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.

[UCANSEE2]

?....if they felt it wrong..could they, or would it be conceivable for them to run a parallel investigation without "compromising" the directed investigation?

SOrry,kinda went on a rant. DIdn't mean to ignore all of your questions. SO, here is the other part.

I don't think they had the time or resources to run a parallel investigation. If DW is not convicted in her death, maybe they will be allowed to conduct a further investigation. It may be to late to produce anything.

[spectre]

For the Love of G-d...will someone PLEASE start a new thread...PLEASE!!!!

sw

[Rheo]

How did Feldman know that info was going to be in Keenes notes?.....Keene wouldn't have let it be known to him, would he? (didn't hinder the states motivation, but allowed the truth to be told thru the defense?)

Do I sound like I'm drama seeking??

[Jaded]

It was subjective.

[Rheo]

I enjoy your "rants", don't worry if you miss answering a question....I keep repeating the ones I want answered anyway!!

[UCANSEE2]

Kimmie, Det Parga saw the hose as a red flag

I can see what he was thinking. Of course he didn't have the benefit of knowing if this was par for DW.

What he did see, I think, was that DW filled his RV with water, and was in a big hurry. He was adding this to other details being fed to him by other investigators that were talking to a public that was hyped up by the media, a public that was convinced they might be helping catch a MONSTER, a public like Mrs. Kravitz. People who suddenly saw and heard things they never noticed before. People that were positive it meant something. People who SAW what they wanted to see, in order to be helpful, or get on camera, or have a mike shoved in their face so they could be heard on the radio. The MONSTER was the PUBLIC being fed steroids by the MEDIA and it wanted a criminal to eat, NOW ! SO, it was given one.

The sweaty one with a hose in the yard, and porn found in his house. The one that had a MH, where there was evidence children, including Danielle had been in. The one, where there were actually things that could be real proof. Like the blood on his jacket, the blood on the carpet. But, if the children were in it and played there, can be explained away. Just like the hose, the sweat, the Bleach, the trips, the levellers.

[Freedom2specul8]

Adult porn was not a problem.....

[Jaded]

Yeeeeeoooooowwwwwww. NO SWEAT?

[Jaded]

Here's how he did it: STEALTH NINJA DAVE

[UCANSEE2]

Boy, the prosecution really didn't answer many questions at all, did they?

Going back to the PROSECUTION'S OPENING STATEMENTS, how many of the things they said they would show/prove/answer, did they actually do ? (this question is for anyone that feels qualified to answer or is lucky enough to have a summation of the Pros. Opening statements on hand to post. Man, if you did, you would be a lifesaver.)

[Rheo]

The temperature probably dropped from 55 degrees down to 26 degrees by the time they were in the garage (20 minutes or so)....hey...it could happen. :0)

[Freedom2specul8]

I hope the jury will explain why they arrive at their decision if they are not hung.

[UCANSEE2]

How did Feldman know that info was going to be in Keenes notes?..

I am not a lawyer. So take this FWIW.

I believe the detective's notes would be reviewable by the defense as they are considered the same as any physical evidence and are subject to discovery.

[Jaded]

That's why I wonder about the Super-X shell casing. Anything found in the room is contaminated. It's very odd.

[Rheo]

Duseks Opening

[UCANSEE2]

I hope the jury will explain why they arrive at their decision if they are not hung.

One thing you can be sure of. If you are watching CTV, they won't let you hear what the jury says.

[fnord]

I remember the DA saying they would show *how* DW committed the crime, but I don't remember a lick of evidence pertaining to this.

[pyx]

Perhaps for most..But I keep coming back to not ONE thing in that house ...NOTHING....not a hair, not a flake of dead skin..NOTHING...that weighs very heavy with me.

Pshaw ! Yeah ... for some naysayers and fencesitters maybe.

But some KNOW how DW did it. In fact, I found a secret evidence photo of DW IN THE ACT ! Below is DW caught by Mrs. Kravitz as he approached the Van Dam home on February 1, 2002. Now we know how DW didn't leave any trace. Begone Nija Dave Theory ! Its HAZMAT DAVE !

[Freedom2specul8]

Don't listen to the rumors ..I've been using thesandiegochannel.com

[RnMomof7]

Her parents must be so-o-o proud.

What is done in the dark comes to the light..her parents, her kids , siblings ,co workers, PTA.....the world now knows her character..or lack of it!

Shame is good......her defense "well it was a swap" ..pathetic