Bugs: The Best Witnesses? (Westerfield's Son Neal Forced To Testify By Desperate D.A. Dusek!!)

Court TV ^ | July 25, 2002 | Harriet Ryan

[connectthedots]

I predicted much of Feldman's line of questioning at Post 352.

[truth_seeker]

You are correct that the jury will determine the credibility. But, you are forgetting two things: 1. the STATE hired Faulkner specifically to establish TOD as 2/2-2/4. When he could not do that, they chose not to call him as a witness, and 2. the State is in REBUTTAL phase of case. This is not their case-in-chief. Obviously, they are worried about defense's bug experts or else they would not be trying to rebut(actually, confuse the jury)regarding time that Danielle's body was placed at Dehesa. If the State had such powerful witnesses/evidence to establish TOD in the 2/2-2/4 range, they certainly would have presented such during their case-in-chief.

There are only a few of these so-called experts. The prosecution had to work fast. They first turned to a familiar specialist. When that didn't yield their answer, they went forward, for their entire case didn't revolve on that one aspect of evidence, alone.

I am not moved that this set of circumstances is particularly important. Even now, months later, the prosecution and defense are jockeying, as to which expert to line up; eg. the Alien guy, or the Hawaii guy, etc.

[demsux]

That's not what the mummification witness says..post mortem...

Westy was quoting a study about mummification in the desert...

[John Jamieson]

Dusek: "I could prove that DW did it, but the ant took my evidence."

[HoneyBoo]

What are the chances we will see the incredible Mr. Libby as a rebuttal witness? Didn't Feldy promise we would learn all about him?

[ernie pantuso]

I have read the trial transcripts of both Faulkner and Haskell. They both discussed mummification and its effects/non-effects(Haskell much more thoroughly). Blackbourne(sic?) also testified to this process. Dusek did not call Faulkner because he did not like his conclusions. If Dusek's only concern was mummification:
1. why is Faulkner, and not a forensic anthropologist/MD, called to the autopsy and recovery scene, and
2. why doesn't Dusek hire one to testify during his case-in-chief in conjunction/coordination with Faulkner's testimony?

[the Deejay]

Dusek is overtrying his case, & it will bite him. I think with today's witness, he's already been bitten.

[demsux]

What are the chances we will see the incredible Mr. Libby as a rebuttal witness? Didn't Feldy promise we would learn all about him?

yep, he promised us

[John Jamieson]

Very well done!

[ernie pantuso]

I apologize if I misinterpreted your statement.

[spectre]

That's an old joke, FRES...I won't touch it! (Nun)

Feldman talking about ants and blowflies again.

Witness is insulting Dr. Faulkner..saying he "poked around"..no collection traps, pertaining to the ants.

sw

[the Deejay]

"Looks like Lisa Bloom is even coming over to the acquital side."


Today's witness has convinced her DW is not guilty, I suppose. Too bad Lisa's a slow learner.

Apparently, she got past how DW got into the house DRUNK, left no DNA, etc., etc., etc.

[demsux]

Feldmanization is complete, he could stop now if he wanted.

[Stiv]

That doesn't support the notion that he "destroyed" the chip, as if it were some intentional destruction of evidence. Regardless, for the purpose of this criminal case, it will need to be introduced by the defendant's attorney, insofar as your citation comes from the PH (preliminary hearing), which is not evidence in this trial.

BTW, it appears your PH "writing" is a paraphrasing and interpretation exercize, not the actual transcript. Correct?

You are correct -- I didn't go back to get the actual transcript. Also, I might have inerrantly assumed that the chip was in the sensor, and I also might have inerrantly assumed that the "chip" could be erased by a magnet.

You got me!

[Spunky]

also, he testified that little kids bodies can mummify quickly..within 24 hrs..and a rodent could chew into body later...say 10 days AFTER being dumped which would then allow bugs inside.

He said in the right conditions it could mummify quickly. But everything I remember hearing up until now was that only her hands,foot,part of her face were in advanced mummification. That would have left the rest of her body soft enough for bugs and flies.

Now I am not sure exactly how the body was laying, but it is my opinion the parts of the body that were touching the sand (which draws moisture out)is probably where the mummification occured quickly and was the most advanced.

[Freedom2specul8]

dr haskell's report....ants: hynenotterra (SP) bees ants wasps..., 7 beetles 1 ant..

witness says he can't say absolutely there were ants eating blowflies.

says dr faulkner didn't dig for ants or indicate that he dug for ants. usually when there is one ant there are more..

recalls that faulkner crawled and contracted poison oak.

[the-gooroo]

Ya sure did ctd--You've posted some great commments today.

[John Jamieson]

Feldman is quoting Pig Guy. AKA BugMan III.