Testimony costs flight attendant her job

SignOnSanDiego ^ | July 12, 2002 | Kristen Green

[MizSterious]

Testimony costs flight attendant her job

Airline fires witness for admitting pot use

By Kristen Green
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

July 12, 2002

Denise Kemal was fired June 28, more than two weeks after her nationally televised testimony, because the company has a zero-tolerance drug policy.

Losing her job has ruined her life, Kemal said yesterday. "I've always wanted to fly," she said. "It took me years to get my job."

She said she is appealing the dismissal because smoking marijuana "wasn't an everyday thing." While she waits for an answer, Kemal, 28 and recently divorced, watches the Westerfield trial from the couch of her new Florida apartment.

Kemal was called to the witness stand by the prosecution June 10. She was at the van Dam home Feb. 1, the night 7-year-old Danielle van Dam was last seen, and spent the evening with Brenda van Dam, the girl's mother.

The two had become friendly through their husbands, who both work at Qualcomm. A spokeswoman for Southwest confirmed that Kemal had been fired, but declined to elaborate. She said company policy states that the "illegal use of drugs, narcotics or controlled substances off duty and off company premises is not acceptable and may result in termination because it can affect on-the-job performance and the confidence of our customers in the company's ability to meet its responsibilities."

Kemal said she was just answering questions posed to her during Westerfield's trial because "I want to make sure he gets convicted."

"Because of him, it's just ruined everyone's lives," she said.

Kemal testified that she went out with her Tierrasanta neighbor Barbara Easton and Brenda van Dam to Dad's Cafe & Steakhouse in Poway two Fridays in a row, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. They were celebrating Kemal's upcoming move to Baltimore, where she had been transferred for work.

The second night out, Feb. 1, she was introduced to Westerfield, whom she has described as "creepy." Westerfield is charged with kidnapping and murdering Danielle. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death.

Kemal said the three women first celebrated her move Jan. 25. Kemal and Easton, who lived in the same apartment complex, shared a bottle of wine before driving to the van Dams, Kemal testified. She said she smoked some marijuana in the van Dams' garage before they left for the bar.

The next week, the three women decided to spend that Friday night partying at Dad's again after Damon van Dam canceled plans to go out of town and agreed to stay home with the couple's three children.

On Feb. 1, they smoked pot in the garage a second time, Kemal testified, and she and Easton shared a beer. Later in the evening, they partied at Dad's, where they ran into Westerfield. At one point in the night, they went to van Dam's sport utility vehicle to smoke marijuana again.

Kemal said her supervisors learned that she had smoked pot because customers mailed newspaper articles about her testimony.

She had never had problems at Southwest before the trial, she said. In fact, she regularly received letters of commendation from airline passengers since she was hired in November 1998.

Once, a Texas couple she had met on a flight sent a box of candy to her home. Kemal, in turn, shipped them a set of candles for their living room.

Kemal said that even after Sept. 11, she didn't have any reservations about flying.

"I did it because it's my job, and I love my job," she said. "I get to travel and meet different people. I like to serve the public."

[FresnoDA]

SONG PARODY, in 5,4,3,2,1

[Hildy]

What you just said is so ridiculous. I just don't understand why people think it's so great this woman lost her job. I'm not saying given the circumstances that things should be different. I'm just saying that it saddens that people on this board wish her bad fortune.

[cyncooper]

About the blond/brown?

[alexandria]

Heck no we're not burnt out! (can't say that about Denise though) anyways, see my post 635 and by all means be my guest. I have no idea what the words are to that song, beyond maybe.

"I'm a little teapot, short and stout."
"You don't have to worry I do put out."

[FresnoDA]

WENDY
(Parody, Duh-Knees)
FDA/LOL

VERSE 1

Who's walking down the street of 'ole Poway...

Checking out every guy that she sees...

Who likes to smoke and roll a big fat one...

Everyone knows it Duh-Knees....

Bam Bam Bam Bam

VERSE 2

Who's forming groups of six or more swingers

Going to parties, clubs and to bars?

Who likes to group hug in the back parking lot

Every knows it Duh-Knees.

CHORUS

Duh-Knees has big eyes, and hair...

And used to work in, the air...

Her friends she sure likes to share...

A boy or girl.....

She'll give both a whirl, hoooo, heeeee.....

VERSE 3

Who's unemployed, now living in Georgia..

Whining and crying and feeling quite sore..

Whose night time job re-quires full-lap dancing...

Everyone knows it Duh-Knees.....

 

[FresnoDA]

Rats...I WAS TRYING FOR POST 666, did I get it??

[FresnoDA]

YES!!!! SUCCESS!!!

[hoosiermama]

Does that allow you to be evil for the night??????

[kcvl]

Let the fool fly Cheech & Chong Airlines for all I care

ROFLOL!

[Jaded]

FresnoDA, this is your lucky day from the OTHER SIDE,. You are this evening's winner of the 666 award. The prize is for FresnoDA to post the Occult Calendar.

[dread78645]

"Shoots", the inflatable mattress type this passengers slide down out the exit doors.

Also known as "chutes" or "emergency egress ramps". But I'll agree, better they can work 'em then spell 'em.

[Jaded]

BTW, my overworked composer, the Sing Along pages have been updated. There are now 5

Stealth Ninja Dave

[FresnoDA]

OK, you asked for it...AC/DC parodies are next....BWWAAAHHHAA

[Freedom2specul8]

who's the first pic fres?

[hoosiermama]

NO KIZZ???

[GoRepGo]

did you catch Glennie's testimony under cross that Westie was wearing a black leather jacket the whole time he was at Dad's. Wonder where it is?

All one has to do is look at the photos taken of DW (when all the media was hounding him) and you will see that he is wearing a black leather jacket...oops, maybe ol' DW "forgot" to take it to the cleaners or toss it while on his incredible journey thru the desert.....how sloppy of him./so

try again; your spin on all of this, despite transcripts and testimony, is really very entertaining.

[FresnoDA]

BBWWWAAAHHHHAAAA!!

Major ritual "sabbat" dates on the Occult/Witchcraft/Satanism calendar.

This date sticks out....February 2, 2002    Danielle Van Dam, Age 7

 

DATE: October 31 NAME: *SAMHAIN; ALL HALLOWS' EVE; HALLOWEEN; NOVEMBER EVE WITCHCRAFT: Rituals to contact the dead SATANISTS: Sexual and blood rituals with animal or humans & animal or human sacrifice

DATE: December 21/22 NAME: YULE; WINTER SOLSTICE; WITCHCRAFT: Rituals celebrating the rebirth of the sun SATANISTS: Sexual rituals, animal or human

DATE: February 2 NAME: IMBOLIC; IMBOK; CANDLEMAS; OIMELE; LADY DAY; BRIGID DAY WITCHCRAFT: Sexual rituals; Celtic triple goddess Brigid honored. SATANISM: Sexual rituals, human

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I know you're trying hard, but I don't speak wall and you don't comprehend English very well.

But......I'll try one more time.

Denise deserved to lose her job. She broke the rules.

Some of us are very happy that a pot-smoking flight attendant will no longer be on any flights as a crew member.

As for her personal life....this may the best thing that ever happened to her. Perhaps having to pay such a price will cause her to rethink the direction in which she's headed. If she continues on her current path, her future will not be a good one.

Please do take a peek in the mirror and quit acting like the angel of mercy. I've seen enough of your posts to know that you are not all sweetness, love and consideration as you are feigning right now. Give me a break !!!

[FresnoDA]

THIS BE DENISE...SHE IS LOOKING A BIT, UHM..WORN....WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW....LOL

Flight Attendant Fired After Testifying At Westerfield Trial

Witness Admitted Smoking Pot

 

POSTED: 6:42 a.m. PDT July 12, 2002

UPDATED: 2:45 p.m. PDT July 12, 2002

 

SAN DIEGO -- A woman who testified she smoked marijuana with the parents of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam in the trial of the man accused of killing the girl has been fired from her job as a flight attendant.

Denise Kemal (pictured, right), 28, says she was fired from her job with Southwest Airlines on June 28, two weeks after she took the stand in the trial of David Westerfield in San Diego. A spokeswoman for the Dallas-based airline says company policy states use of illegal drugs while off duty may result in termination.

FeedRoom
	Flight Attendant Fired

  Kemal, who is now living in Florida, said losing her job has ruined her life.

"I've always wanted to fly," she said. "It took me years to get my job."

A spokeswoman for the Dallas-based airline confirmed that Kemal had been fired, but declined to elaborate. She said that company policy states the "illegal use of drugs, narcotics or controlled substances off duty and off company premises is not acceptable and may result in termination."

Kemal said she felt obligated to testify against Westerfield.

"I want to make sure he gets convicted," she said. "Because of him, it's just ruined everyone's lives."

Supervisors at Southwest Airlines learned that she had smoked marijuana from customers who mailed in newspaper articles about her testimony, Kemal said.

Her testimony centered on two evenings she spent with Brenda van Dam and another women at Dad's Cafe and Steakhouse, a nightspot in Poway. One of those evenings was Feb. 1, the night that Danielle is believed to have been abducted from her home. Kemal testified that she smoked marijuana in the van Dams' garage before leaving to go to Dad's.

Westerfield could face the death penalty if he is convicted of kidnapping and murder. The trial is in recess until July 22 while the judge takes a previously scheduled vacation.

[FresnoDA]

Gulynn Cumins...just kidding Kim..it is a prosecutor with San Diego...just being a little "evil"....Hee Hee...