Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Judge Allows Danielle's Dad Back In Court: (Damon was banned for MAD-DOGGING Westerfield!)
North County Times-San Diego ^ | July 13, 2002 | Kimberly Epler

Posted on 07/13/2002 6:28:25 AM PDT by FresnoDA

Judge allows Danielle's dad back in court

KIMBERLY EPLER
Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO ---- The father of 7-year-old murder victim Danielle van Dam will be allowed to attend the remaining days of her accused murderer's trial, Judge William Mudd ruled Thursday.

But he warned Damon van Dam that one more incident will result in him being banned from the courthouse.


Two weeks ago, Judge Mudd deemed Damon van Dam a "security risk" for repeatedly staring down his daughter's accused murderer, David Westerfield, in courtroom hallways despite several warnings from sheriff's deputies and prosecutors.

Mudd then barred Damon van Dam from the third floor of the downtown San Diego courthouse where Westerfield's emotionally charged trial on charges he kidnapped and murdered Danielle is being held.

On Thursday, an attorney for the van Dam family requested that Damon van Dam be allowed back in the courtroom so he could provide emotional support to his wife, Brenda van Dam, and dispel any jury speculation that his absence meant he didn't care about the trial or that he had something to hide.

The van Dams were present at the hearing, but did not address the court.

Mudd said he believed Damon van Dam has had time to think about his actions and told him that security officials were willing to give him another chance.

"If I get one report of one incident, I will ban you from the courthouse," Mudd told van Dam.

Mudd also cautioned the couple that closing arguments in the case may push them to the limits of what they can handle. The prosecution has indicted it intends to use photos of Danielle's decomposing body while presenting its argument that Westerfield molested the second-grader before she was suffocated and her nude body dumped along a rural road.

Danielle disappeared from her second-story bedroom sometime after her father tucked her into bed on Feb. 1. The next morning she was gone. Westerfield was arrested for the crime five days before her body was discovered by search volunteers on Feb. 27.

The medical examiner has testified that her body was too badly decomposed to determine time of death or whether she was sexually assaulted.

The defense is likely to attack the van Dams' integrity and argue their lifestyle choices ---- including the van Dams' admitted drug use and previous sexual relations with other couples ---- put their children at risk. The van Dams also have two sons.

Prosecutors and the defense attorney have made it their practice to notify the judge before showing jurors graphic photographs of Danielle's body during the six-week trial so the van Dams could be asked to leave the courtroom.

Mudd said he expects the van Dams to leave if any part of the trial becomes too much for them.

"I don't think anybody is downplaying the emotion that both Mr. and Mrs. van Dam are going through," Mudd said.

Westerfield's attorney, Steven Feldman, said Westerfield did not object to Damon van Dam returning to the courtroom, but there still were security concerns. Feldman said Damon van Dam was "mad-dogging" the defense team, or shooting dirty looks at the attorneys.

Feldman said the van Dams have been "verbally attacking" potential buyers who are looking at Westerfield's Sabre Springs home, which is two doors down from their house. Westerfield signed the house over to his attorneys.

Feldman also accused Brenda van Dam of muttering a curse word at one of Westerfield's friends who testified earlier this week.

Prosecutor Jeff Dusek told Mudd that Brenda van Dam denies making any such comment and a victim witness advocate who accompanies her each day backs up her account.

Testimony in the Westerfield trial is on hold until July 22 when Mudd returns from a vacation. At Thursday's hearing, Feldman said he expects the defense will take two or three days more before resting its case. Prosecutors may then present rebuttal witnesses before closing arguments begin sometime in late July or early August.

 

Contact staff writer Kimberly Epler at (760) 739-6644 or kepler@nctimes.com.

7/12/02


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: 180frank; vandam; westerfield
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 701-707 next last
To: the Deejay
THIS is a pretty good summary to get you started.
121 posted on 07/13/2002 10:36:52 AM PDT by Southflanknorthpawsis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 117 | View Replies]

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
I suppose if Danielle was made to be comfortable with a perverted lifestyle someone would have picked up on it......haven't seen evidence to indicate that.

Kim have you ever taken any Family counseling or Family dynamics classes?

If you had you would know that a family "secret" is carefully hidden. It is the elephant in the living room..NO one talks about it

Usually these kids are super achievers.

If you read the liturature on this you often see that they repress the abuse..sometimes not remembering it for years. They describe it as a splitting of their personalities . When daddy is abusing them they go somewhere else mentally so it is not them being used...

No Kim these kids do not wear signs on their backs

One of my best friends was sexually abused by an uncle for years and did not remember it till she was an adult..she is sweet and loving and has 5 degrees...and she is a nun.....(do you wonder why she made that choice?)

122 posted on 07/13/2002 10:38:34 AM PDT by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
Denial, anger, negotiation with God, resignation, acceptance.

They started with acceptance

Brendas words to 911

" she WAS......"

123 posted on 07/13/2002 10:41:11 AM PDT by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
" The LE leak's mission is accomplished"

LE leaking information, that complicates a case fellow LE officer's were putting together. That's pretty serious and at the very least put his/her job on the line, Kim. Have you ever asked yourself why?

Could it be this LE officer was aware of an investigation that had lost all investigative objectivity and had prematurely ( in the eyes of this LE leak) focused upon an individual, without regard for other obvious suspects and/ or evidence?

Or, perhaps, that all this LE individual wanted, was for a complete and thorough investigation to take place with all the facts out on the table. Or, that this officer or detective thought a specific someone else was the likely suspect and merely wanted a complete investigation?

Even perhaps that this officer or detective was privy to information, of what was being done in the case, that was not exactly "by the book" (i.e., warrants obtained under false pretenses and/or lies, or even more)and wanted nothing more than to see justice performed as intended under our laws and constitution.

Just a few possibilities to consider. There are no doubt many other possibilities and motives, as well, that will better fit your feelings on the matter. So, I'm curious, what do you think the LE officer or detective had as their motive for risking so much and leaking this to RR, or have you ever really thought abiout it?

124 posted on 07/13/2002 10:42:31 AM PDT by theirjustdue
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7
I wonder if some people realize the significance of your posts? The "RN" in your screen name indicates your expertise in the medical field and commands respect with the information you provide. Just pointing that out, in case somebody missed it.
125 posted on 07/13/2002 10:44:29 AM PDT by JudyB1938
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7
Brendas words to 911 " she WAS......"

sorry that only applies to Westerfield when he said "WE", her's was a slip of the tongue, his showed guilt...(sarcasm/)

126 posted on 07/13/2002 10:44:37 AM PDT by rolling_stone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies]

To: theirjustdue
I have to go eat and do something so I'll be back later to reply better to yours and others.. I removed and edited all my questions that were like your out of my post..namely cuz they were just FILLER. More conspiratorial questions..that would have done nothing cuz we can't get the answers.
127 posted on 07/13/2002 10:47:22 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 124 | View Replies]

To: the Deejay; Southflanknorthpawsis
"I think about 90% of their so-called emotion is a ruse anyway."

Me three

I think it is for effect..They do not know how grieving parents "act" so they pretend anger as a substitute

Anti social personality disorder folks have a hard time "showing" normal emotion.Because they do not have it.

128 posted on 07/13/2002 10:47:42 AM PDT by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7
"They started with acceptance"

This seems true. Remember when Damon said something like "Regardless whether or not we get her back - I have two boys to raise..." That statement was made relatively early on - seemed out of place for someone who should still be in denial.

129 posted on 07/13/2002 10:48:25 AM PDT by mommya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies]

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
THE SUBURBS..kids walking to or from school. One actually got the victim on the ground, (a young teen) who fought back and got away.

kim you really do need to relocate. Drugs,gangs ,drive bys, and kidnappings...where do you live? I would like to look up the crime stats for your area

130 posted on 07/13/2002 10:50:30 AM PDT by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7
I have to leave for now, but yes, I have taken abuse courses, one of them was elder abuse. and did my internship in a domestic violence shelter and was later hired as an employee, but quit about 3 months later. It was a good but sad experience that I do not want to repeat. IT's too easy to get emotionally involved with the victims.
131 posted on 07/13/2002 10:52:10 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 122 | View Replies]

To: the Deejay
HERE is another very good one about the Akiki case with more detail.
132 posted on 07/13/2002 10:53:00 AM PDT by Southflanknorthpawsis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7; UCANSEE2
I'm pinging ucansee2 cuz he lives in the area too..., so does quite a few missouri freepers.. Crime stats for cities aren't accurate..it depends on if the stats were under or over reported by LE, and it depends on the type of crime...that is being reported. The city I am referring to is Kansas City Missouri. What major city did you work in? There are neighborhoods that range from extreme poor to extreme rich..2 weeks ago, in a VERY affluent neighborhood, a lifeguard (ucansee, wasn't she 18yrs old?) was raped and killed in the filter/pump room at the pool.
133 posted on 07/13/2002 10:59:28 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 130 | View Replies]

To: Rheo; FresnoDA; Mrs.Liberty; demsux; Jaded; RnMomof7; spectre; FriarTom; DoughtyOne; bvw; mommya; ..
With thanks to LovelyPigeon on Jams, who seems to have typed up the released documents that appeared in graphic format on Court TV--

Affidavit for the search warrant--text
Search Warrant for David Westefield's Computer files, February 5, 2002

Attachment #1 [handwritten across top of document]

Probable Cause:

The following was learned from talking with police officers by reading official police reports, and personally being involved in the investigation of a missing juvenile now considered to be abducted"

On Feb. 02, 2002, a kidnap occurred at 12011 Mountain Pass Dr. The victim, Danielle Van Dam, was possibly taken from her home between the hours of 2200 hours and 0330 hours. The family discovered the victim missing some time around 0900 hours. The parents telephone the police.

Several units responded to the location and completed a door-to-door search looking for the victim. During the initial check, it was discovered a neighbor residing at 1196 Mountain View Dr. [sic], identiifed as David Westerfield was not at home. Most all-immediate neighbors were at home and contacted.

As part of the investigation, I responded to the scene. I interviewed the victim's mother, identified as Brenda Van Dam. I quesetioned Brenda for approximately 2 hours. During my interview Brenda told me about a local bar she had visited on 02-02-02. Brenda stated she and two girlfriend arrived at the bar sometime around 2000 hours. Brenda discovered two male friends were at the bar. Brenda and friends sstarted playing pool and other video games. A neighbor, Van Dam recognized as Dave approached her and started playing pool with the group. I questioned Van Dam about her relationship with Dave who I identified as David Westerfield. Van Dam told me the following:

On 01-25-02, Van Dam's girlfriends and her went to Dad's a local bar. They had a few drink and played a little pool. Van Dam noticed a guy looking at her and believe he could be a neighbor or something. Van Dam said hi to him and he said hi back. No other conversation occurred. On 01-30-02 Van Dam's daughter Danielle, son Dylan, and her were walking through the neighborhood selling Girl Scout cookies. Danielle is a Brownie. Van Dam knocked at a neighbor's door and Westerfield answered the door. Van Dam recognized the guy as the same person in the bar on the 25th. Westerfield ask [sic] Van Dam, "Hey why didn't you introduce me to your friends the other night in the bar". Van Dam stated, I don't even know you or your name. Westerfield stated, Hi I [sic] David Westerfield, your neighbor.

Van Dam states Danielle and Dylan entered Westerfield's house, played in the living room and went out on the patio to look at the pool. Westerfield gave Van Dam a business card and told Van Dam he sometimes has Adult Parties and BBQ's at his house. Westerfield invited Van Dam to call him and bring her husband to his next party. Van Dam stated she stayed at Westerfield's house for about 10-15 minutes before leaving to sell other cookies.

I questioned Van Dam about her conversation with others at the bar on 02-02-02. I asked Van Dam if she had mentioned anything about her children to anyone at the bar including Westerfield? Van Dam stated she did not discuss anything about her family to anyone in the bar. I questioned Van Dam several times about her conversation with anyone in the bar about her family. I told Van Dam it was important for her to remember her conversation as it may lead to possible suspects. Van Dam stated she remembered one of her friends kidding her about being a mother by saying; [sic] You're such a mother. Van Dam stated an unknown male in the bar over heard her friend's statement and said, You're a mother? Van Dam replied, yes I have three kids. The unknown male said you don't look like a mother and laughed. Van Dam stated she believed teh male was using the statement as a pick up line. Van Dam again stated she did not talk about any family members to persons in the bar.

On 02-03-02 a second canvas of the victims [sic] neighborhood was completed by San Diego police officers. A check of Westerfield's residence was completed. No one was at home.

On 02-04-02 at about 0800 hours, San Diego police officers were watching and waiting for Westerfield to arrive home. Westerfield arrived home sometime around 0830 hours. Police officers contacted Westerfield and told him about the missing victim. The officers requested and were granted a written consent to search Westerfield's house and motor home. Westerfield parks his motor home about 30 miles away from his house located at 15250 Sky Ridge Rd Poway Ca. The officers explained to Westerfield they wanted to have a search and rescue canine search the house attempting to discover a scent of the missing victim. Westerfield agreed. Search and rescue canine "Hopi" entered Westerfield's house. A general search of the interior by detectives revealed the victim was not there. However, Hopi, the canine, entered the garage area and displayed interest towards the garage door. The canine handler stated Hopi's interest was not an alert. The handler walked Hopi away from the location but returned. Hopi again displayed interest in the garage door but not enough to be considered an alert.

Westerfield told San Diego police detectives that Danielle and her brother had recently been in his house while selling Girl Scout cookies. Westerfield stated the children ran around inside his house including upstairs, down stairs, in the garage and out in the patio. Westerfield stated that could explain why the dog displayed interest in the garage.

However during my interview with Brenda Van Dam she stated Danielle and Dylan entered Westerfield's house, walked through the living room and out to the patio to look at the pool. Van Dam sated the children never went upstairs nor out into the garage. On 02-04-02 SDPD officers again contacted Van Dam and confirmed the children did not enter the garage or up stairs.

Offices responded to Westerfield's motor home parked at 15250 Sky Ridge Rd Poway Ca. A general search of the motor home by detectives revealed the victim was not inside. According to detectives, Westerfield displayed unusual amount of cooperativeness by opening drawers, lifting cushions, and pointing out areas missed by detectives.

Additionally on 02-04-02, sometimes around 2000 hours, a search and rescue canine was utilized to check for a scent outside of Westerfield's motor home. A verbal consent from the property's owner was obtained. The canine did not alert nor display any interest in the location. However, it was discovered during an interview with Westerfield that he had just completed an approximately 250-mile trip in the motor home. The freeway wind could remove a scent from the exterior of a vehicle providing a victim is no longer inside the vehicle.

Attachment #2

Detective Keene interviewed Westerfield. Westerfield relayed the following: Westerfield confirmed he has met Brenda Van Dam on three separate occasions. Westerfield confirmed the first encounter with Van Dam was at a local bar on 01-25-02. Westerfield confirmed the two only said Hi to each other. Westerfield stated on01-30-02 Brenda, Danielel, and Dylan Van Dam arrived at his house to sell Girl Scout cookies. Westerfield states the children play in the house including upstairs downstairs and out by the pool as previously stated. Westerfield confirmed the conversation regarding why Van Dam did not introduce him to her friends. Westerfield states Van Dam provided him with her telephone number just before leaving his residence.

According to Detective Keene, out of the clear blue sky, Westerfield quoted Van Dam and stated, "she said a babysitter was watching her children not her husband". Detective Keene was aware Danielle's father was watching the children but that was not common knowledge. In fact, often on Friday nights, Brenda and Damon Van Dam will have a baby sitter watch the children while they go out for the evening.

Westerfield relays on 02-02-02, at about 0730 hours he drove his Toyota 4 runners [sic] to the location of his motor home. Westerfield retrieved his motor home and returned to his residence to put food and water inside. SDPD detectives noticed how immaculate the interior of Westerfield's house is and how everything is in place. His house is neatly decorated with art pieces and leather furniture. However, Westerfield neglected to roll up a hose he used to fill the motor home up with water. The hose was draped over plants and appeared to have been left by someone in a hurry. The detectives noticed the water house was the only item out of place indicating a clue someone was in a hurry to leave.

It should be noted a witness was contacted during the initial canvassing of the neighborhood. The witness stated she recognized Westerfield's motor home parked at the curb next to his residence sometime around 2230 hours Friday 02-01-02.The motor home has been a source of complaints in the neighborhood because the motor home is large and blocks teh view of the roadway.

After Westerfield packed the motor home he drove to a camping spot known as the Silver Strand in Coronado Ca. Westerfield stated he paid for several nights of camping. However, Westerfield later told Detective Keene he had forgotte his wallet and was low on gas. Sometime around 1400 hours a park ranger contacted Westerfield at the motor home. The ranger knocked several times at the door for several minutes before Westerfield answered the door. The ranger stated Westerfield immediately stepped out of the motor home and closed the door. The park ranger noticed the blinds were close [sic]. The park ranger explained to Westerfield he had over paid for the camp spot. The park ranger returned 30.00 dollars to Westerfield. The ranger stated Westerfield did not return inside the motor home and stood out front until the ranger drove away. The park ranger stated Westerfield's actions were suspicious.

Westerfield stated the weather was too cold at the beach and he wanted to return to his house to retrieve his wallet. Sometime around 1530 hours Westerfield returned home. Westerfield stated he saw several police ars and a police trailer. Westerfield stated he was unable to locate parking close to his house so he parked about 1 1/2 blocks away. As Westerfield walked towards his house, a neighbor told Westerfield about the missing child. Westerfield told the neighbor about Danielle being in his house and interested in the pool. Westerfield told the neigbhor he was going to check his pool for the child.

Westerfield left the area and stated he realized his wallet was in the 4 runner parked where the motor home was located. Westerfield responded to the 4 runner and retrieved his wallet. Westerfield decided he wanted to go to Glamis, dune area located just west of the Arizona border and approximately 120 miles east of San Diego. Westerfield stated he eventually go stuck in the sand and spent the night in the dunes.

Eventually, Westerfield was pulled out of the sand, went to a second location in the desert. Eventually Westerfield ended up in Borrego springs where his motor home again got stuck. Westerfield stated after he dug his motor home out "we drove back to Silver strand. Westerfield refrred to we as if someone else was in the motorhome. However when he was questioned about the We he stated it was a slip.

Westerfield made several statements about information only known by the victim and the victim's family. Only Danielle Van Dam could have told him about the daughter father dance and only after she had been abducted. Westerfield has several other inconsistent statements regarding his whereabouts the night of the incident. Additionally Westerfield matches FBI profiles regarding a possible suspect of an abduction.

Based on the totality of the circumstances in this case I believe a search of the above listed items will yield evidence indicating WESTERFIELD's involvement in the abduction of Danielle Van Dam.

Additonally I request night service. SDPD officers are currently watching the residence and motor home. I believe evidence will be destroyed if the warrrant is not served tonight and Westerfield is allowed into his residence. Additonally I request this affadavit be sealed. SEE Dave L's notes......

George A. Alldredge of the SDPD wrote the affadavit.

Source
134 posted on 07/13/2002 11:00:22 AM PDT by MizSterious
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 124 | View Replies]

To: JudyB1938
Thanks ...In this case my last employment was in addictions counseling and clinical surervision of nurses and counselors.

I was a credentialed State Certified Alcohol Counselor (after additional traning and testing) ..I make NO claims to being a psychiatrist....just some feet on the floor experience..

This is an "iffy" field..but there are some observations about family dynamics that are common

135 posted on 07/13/2002 11:02:40 AM PDT by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 125 | View Replies]

To: RnMomof7; UCANSEE2
It's not a little hick town..it's like any other city..right ucansee?

serial killer...this guy was a sick you know what.. berdella http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict.htm

City-level survey of crime victimization and citizen attitudes. BJS in a joint effort with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) conducted victimization surveys in 12 selected cities. The standard National Crime Victimization Survey instrument was used with questions about citizen perceptions of community policing and neighborhood issues. All sampled household residents age 12 or older were included in the survey. Participating cities were -- Chicago, IL, Kansas City, MO, Knoxville, TN, Los Angeles, CA, Madison, WI, New York, NY, San Diego, CA, Savannah, GA, Spokane, WA, Springfield, MA, Tucson, AZ, Washington, DC.

136 posted on 07/13/2002 11:06:34 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 130 | View Replies]

To: mommya
"Regardless whether or not we get her back - I have two boys to raise..." That statement was made relatively early on - seemed out of place for someone who should still be in denial.

One mom to another..when I read that I got sick to my stomach.....easy come easy go..

137 posted on 07/13/2002 11:08:15 AM PDT by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA; spectre
Here's some more on Damon's behavior, from the 24th--courtesy of a kind Freeper who freepmailed me this transcript and news article:

8 MR. DUSEK: MAY WE APPROACH THE BENCH?

9 THE COURT: SURE.

10 (THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS WERE HELDAT THE BENCH BETWEEN COURT AND COUNSEL:)

11
12
13 MR. DUSEK: I'M SEEKING AN ADDED WARNING FROM THE COURT

14 TO THE JURY NOT TO LOOK AT T.V. OR THE NEWSPAPER. DAMON VAN DAM

15 HAS THREATENED TO GO TO THE MEDIA AFTER HE WAS EXCLUDED. WE'VE

16 DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO ANYTHING TO KEEP

17 HIM FROM THEM, BUT HE MAY GO TODAY.

18 THE COURT: IT'S A VERY SHORT ROPE BUT I WILL EMPHASIZE

19 THE ADMONITION.

20 MR. DUSEK: THANK YOU.

21 THE COURT: ALL RIGHT.

22 (THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS WERE HELD INOPEN COURT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE JURY:)

23

24 THE COURT: OKAY. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LOOKS LIKE WE'VE

25 REACHED THE END OF THE DAY. TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME

26 HITTING. IT ONLY DEPENDS ON HOW MANY TIMES WE PITCH TO BOBBY

27 BONDS I THINK WHO DOES THE HITTING, BUT HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE

28 GOOD NEWS TOMORROW.

61371

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OCCASIONALLY DURING THE

2 COURSE OF THE DAY THE COURT MAKES ALL KINDS OF RULINGS. YOU SEE

3 THE RULINGS I MADE IN HERE. I'VE MADE A COUPLE RULINGS TODAY

4 THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HIT THE PRESS TONIGHT, WHICH MEANS

5 TELEVISION, RADIO AND ALL THE SOURCES THAT I'VE TOLD YOU TO

6 AVOID. I JUST WANT TO RE-EMPHASIZE TONIGHT THAT IT'S VERY

7 IMPORTANT THAT YOU NOT LOOK AT THE NEWS, READ YOUR NEWSPAPERS OR

8 ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES. IN OTHER WORDS, JUST SELF-POLICE

9 THE WAY YOU'VE BEEN DOING ALL ALONG AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY

10 PROBLEMS.

11 PLEASE REMEMBER THE ADMONITION OF THE COURT NOT TO

12 DISCUSS ANY OF THE EVIDENCE OR TESTIMONY AMONG YOURSELVES OR

13 WITH ANY OTHER PERSONS, NOR FORMULATE OR EXPRESS ANY OPINIONS ON

14 THE MATTER UNTIL IT'S SUBMITTED TO YOU.

15 HAVE A SAFE AND A PLEASANT EVENING. GO PADS.

16 WE'LL SEE YOU AT 9 O'CLOCK TOMORROW MORNING.

17 (AT 4:30 P.M. THE JURY WAS EXCUSEDAND THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDINGS WERE HAD:)
18
19 THE COURT: OKAY. THE RECORD SHOULD REFLECT THE JURORS

20 AND ALTERNATES HAVE LEFT THE COURTROOM.

21 COUNSEL, SOMETIME TODAY HAND DELIVER TO ME MARKED

22 "PERSONAL" OR "CONFIDENTIAL" IS AN ITEM THAT MY CLERK HAS --

23 IT'S A DIRECT COMMUNICATION, SO I'M DISTRIBUTING IT TO YOU.

24 I URGE YOU NOT TO DISCUSS THE MATTER PUBLICLY WITH

25 ANYONE UNTIL WE CAN MEET TOMORROW MORNING. IT'S GOING TO -- I

26 THINK THE ITEM IS SELF-EXPLANATORY. IT'S A LETTER DIRECTED AT

27 ME. BUT SO WE SHOULD PLAN ON ACTUALLY GETTING TOGETHER AT 10

28 MINUTES TILL. I THINK THAT WILL BE MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME. SO

61381

MY CLERK WILL GIVE EACH OF YOU A COPY. IT'S TO REMAIN

2 CONFIDENTIAL WITHIN YOUR OFFICES, AND WE'LL DISCUSS IT AT 8:50

3 TOMORROW MORNING.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/danielle/transcripts/20020624-9999-pm2.html

Here's one of the articles describing his behavior:

http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/sand/news/stories/news-153012720020625-150635.html

Damon Van Dam Kicked Out Of Courtroom
Father Of Slain Girl Apparently Trying To Intimidate Westerfield
Posted: 1:13 p.m. PDT June 25, 2002
Updated: 1:46 p.m. PDT June 25, 2002

SAN DIEGO -- The judge in the David Westerfield trial has banned the father of Danielle van Dam from the courtroom and the third floor of the courthouse -- for apparently trying to stare down the defendant.

Because of a gag order, no details were immediately released. But as of Monday, Damon van Dam (pictured, left) is under orders to stay away from the Westerfield trial.

There are no private entrances for defendants in the courthouse, and Westerfield is brought up in elevators or stairwells each day, accompanied by four sheriff's deputies.

Van Dam, who is said to wander the hallways of the courthouse, is believed to have been either staring at the defendant or posturing himself to intimidate Westerfield, according to a broadcast report.

The order was issued by Superior Court Judge William Mudd, who is presiding in the Westerfield trial.

Westerfield, 50, is accused of abducting van Dam's 7-year-old daughter earlier this year and murdering her. He could get the death penalty if convicted.
138 posted on 07/13/2002 11:08:45 AM PDT by MizSterious
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
And Feldman said realtors showing Westerfield's home, now deeded to the defense lawyers, had complained about the van Dam's behavior.

"Potential buyers are being threatened. They're being cursed at. I don't want to use the word attacked, but certainly verbally attacked by either Damon van Dam, Brenda van Dam, both or a combination," said Feldman.

If true,that is just weird behavior. One would think that the VDs would be happy to be rid of their neighbor and would be anxious to have his house sold, no matter how the trial turns out.

139 posted on 07/13/2002 11:09:19 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: MizSterious
Only Danielle Van Dam could have told him about the daughter father dance and only after she had been abducted.

Hardly. Danielle's sicko mom could have said something about it to DW when she was rubbing on him at Dads.

Possible conversation-
DW: I'm too old to dance with you.

The mom: Ridiculous. My husband and daughter dance all the time.

140 posted on 07/13/2002 11:10:02 AM PDT by RGSpincich
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 134 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160 ... 701-707 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson