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

To: FresnoDA
Now that Danielle has been found and identified, I hope that the focus can turn to alot of unanswered questions in this case.
What was the extent of the Van Dam's relationship with Westerfield? What really happened the night she disappeared?

Something is still terribly wrong with the circumstances around this case. I feel that there was more of a relationship between Brenda and David than we are led to believe right now. How could a "casual" friend go into a dark home with father and 2 other kids in it, find her exact bedroom grab her and get out again without detection by anyone, or the dog. He must have been in that house before to know his way around. Did dad maybe slip out for a while after the kids went to bed and Westerfield saw? Too many questions to list them all here now.

6 posted on 03/01/2002 7:49:10 AM PST by Uni-Poster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Uni-Poster

Suspect Awaits Death Penalty Decision    PLEA ARRANGEMENTS IN DISCUSSION?

Two people searching for the missing girl found the body behind some foliage, near a trail and among scattered rocks next to a golf course. Damon and Brenda van Dam had spearheaded one of the largest volunteer searches in state history, with hundreds of people combing nearby deserts and highways.

Meanwhile, the chief suspect in case, neighbor David Westerfield, is in custody waiting to see whether San Diego County prosecutors will seek the death penalty in Danielle's disappearance and slaying. Westerfield, who is being held without bond, has pleaded not guilty to murder and kidnapping charges and has also been charged with possession of child pornography.

APIf convicted, Westerfield, 50, could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Danielle was last seen Feb. 1 when her father put her to bed at around 10 p.m. After she disappeared, investigators focused primarily on Westerfield, who lives two doors down from the van Dam family's suburban San Diego home.

Police say Westerfield took his motor home to an area in the desert outside San Diego for the weekend on the same morning the child was reported missing.

Investigators say DNA evidence links Westerfield to van Dam's kidnapping and slaying: her blood was found on an article of Westerfield's clothing and in his motor home.

Police also searched Westerfield's home has been searched multiple times, impounded his Toyota sport utility vehicle and motor home, and had him provide a DNA sample for analysis. Investigators who searched the mobile home said the smell of bleach was overwhelming.

Investigators also hauled at least 13 bags of evidence from Westerfield's home, including, they said, materials that appeared to be child pornography.


Broadcast Reports are stating that Feldman and SD District Attorney are meeting to discuss possible Plea Arrangement!!!!........developing.....updates when confirmation is available......


8 posted on 03/01/2002 7:52:57 AM PST by FresnoDA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

To: Uni-Poster
The question that plagues me is why Westerfield waited until 9:30 the next morning to leave for the desert. Something about this just isn't right...
10 posted on 03/01/2002 7:57:20 AM PST by ravingnutter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

To: Uni-Poster
"and get out again without detection by anyone, or the dog."

Exactly, Watson. The dog didn't bark.
"Silver Blaze" by Arthur Conan Doyle.


53 posted on 03/01/2002 8:26:43 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

To: Uni-Poster
Righto, something bad wrong with this case and the parents.
65 posted on 03/01/2002 8:32:15 AM PST by gulfcoast6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

To: Uni-Poster
Your questions are the same things I have been wondering about. The child's bedroom was upstairs and from the pictures in the news, the windows did not look very large. I wonder just how this man got into that house to steal the child and without anyone hearing anything?

It makes me wonder a) did Westerfield sneak into the house to get the child as an action for revenge for some reason? and b) is the reason that no one heard anything because they were locked in the garage having one of the swinging events that they are accused of having? Something is really odd here.

109 posted on 03/01/2002 8:53:36 AM PST by celtic gal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

To: Uni-Poster
How could a "casual" friend go into a dark home with father and 2 other kids in it, find her exact bedroom grab her and get out again without detection by anyone, or the dog.

Probably the same way a complete stranger snatched the daughter of Marc Klass from her bedroom.

150 posted on 03/01/2002 9:10:47 AM PST by Bonaparte
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

To: Uni-Poster
I don't think the relationship with the parents is important at this point. It's a little like saying a whore deserves to be raped.

Think about this scenario, Westerfield sees Brenda at the bar with her swinger friends. He is aware of the sexual antics and wants to be included. She turns him down and openly ridicules him. He follows her home, watches outside while they order pizza and continue their party in the garage. While they are all partying, he enters the house and goes upstairs to the kids'bedrooms, thinking to himself, they can shut me out, but I can still play, and takes the girl.

The parents aren't guilty of anything, except being White Trash.

164 posted on 03/01/2002 9:20:05 AM PST by Eva
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]

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