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DA Selects 'A' Team For The Danielle van Dam Killing Case: Westerfield appears today for arraignment
Union Trib ^ | March 11, 2002 | Anne Krueger

Posted on 03/11/2002 6:28:46 AM PST by FresnoDA

DA selects 'A' team for the Danielle killing case



Two have handled many high-profile prosecutions

By Anne Krueger
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

March 11, 2002

When District Attorney Paul Pfingst selected the team to prosecute the man accused of killing Danielle van Dam, he turned to two veterans who've been involved in numerous high-profile cases.

Prosecutor Jeff Dusek, who will be marking 25 years in the San Diego County District Attorney's Office this month, has handled more death penalty cases than any other lawyer in the office.

George "Woody" Clarke, a San Diego prosecutor for 20 years, is a nationally recognized expert on DNA evidence, complicated scientific data now frequently used in criminal cases. His expertise has been recruited by Los Angeles prosecutors, who made him part of their team in the murder trial of O.J. Simpson.

In a case that has drawn national attention, the two men will face their first major legal test today when they appear in court to present evidence in a preliminary hearing for 50-year-old David Westerfield.

The design engineer, who lived two houses down the street from the van Dam family, is charged with kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Danielle. She was reported missing by her parents Feb. 2 and her body was found more than three weeks later behind a clump of oak trees in Dehesa.

Westerfield is being represented by attorneys Steven Feldman and Robert Boyce, longtime defense lawyers who also carry a reputation for legal skills and tenaciousness in the San Diego legal community.

Dusek, 52, was once described in court papers as being part of an " 'A' team" of prosecutors and investigators who had been assigned to handle the retrial of six gang members in the killing of a San Diego police officer.

Dusek's boss, James Pippin, said he's confident Dusek and Clarke will handle their latest assignment well.

"We've got the 'A' team," Pippin said.

 

Team player

Even before he became a lawyer, Dusek was a team player. He spent two years as a pitcher for a Chicago White Sox minor league team before being released.

He then attended law school at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., before returning to Southern California. Having grown up in San Clemente, Dusek knew where he wanted to work.

He got a job at the San Diego District Attorney's Office, and he's spent his entire career there.

"I love this job. This is the best job in the world," Dusek said in a brief interview. "You get to prosecute people who have violated our laws, violated society's rules and violated other people. We get to hold them accountable for what they've done. That's a good feeling."

Despite his lengthy tenure in the office, Dusek has never aspired to be an administrator instead of a trial attorney, Pippin said.

"He's pretty much all business," Pippin said. "He just enjoys trying cases."

Dusek's cases have involved some of the most horrific crimes in San Diego County. Three men and one woman are now on California's death row awaiting execution as the result of cases he prosecuted.

In a fifth death penalty case, Phillip Lee Jackson was sentenced to life in prison in 1996 after jurors deadlocked over whether he should be executed for beating two elderly women to death.

Dusek prosecuted the case of Ramon Rogers, who was sentenced to death in 1997 for the murders of his Navy buddy and two ex-girlfriends. Police began investigating Rogers after they found the fingers and jaw of one of his former girlfriends in a storage area of his College Area apartment.

 

Opponent's view

Jeffrey Reichert, an alternate public defender who represented Rogers, said Dusek is an excellent lawyer.

"I would call him thoroughly efficient in almost every aspect of his practice. I can't remember any time when he was unprepared for any legal issue or factual question," Reichert said. "I thought he was ethical and aboveboard."

Just last week, Dusek was teaching a seminar on prosecuting death penalty cases at a meeting of the California District Attorneys Association. Prosecutors have filed special circumstances in Westerfield's case reserving the option of seeking his execution. That decision will be made in the weeks after the preliminary hearing.

It was Clarke's work on a death-penalty case in 1989 that led him to his expertise in using DNA as evidence in criminal cases. Clarke, 50, became interested in the field through his assignment as co-prosecutor in the murder trial of David Allen Lucas. (Feldman was a member of the defense team.) Lucas, a Spring Valley carpet cleaner was convicted of the murders of three people between 1979 and 1984 and is on death row.

Although DNA evidence couldn't be used in the Lucas case, Clarke grasped its power as a forensic tool at a time when the technique's legitimacy was being tested in the criminal courts.

Because of his ensuing reputation as a DNA expert, Clarke was asked to join the Simpson prosecution team in 1995. He said in an interview after Simpson was acquitted that the trial helped to advance the acceptance of DNA evidence.

"In my view, at least," Clarke said, "the DNA results in this case were so compelling that it may have been the reason the defense decided to shift tactics to one of conspiracy and the planting of evidence."

After the Simpson trial concluded, Los Angeles prosecutor Christopher Darden wrote a book about the case in which he condescendingly described Clarke as a typical prosecutor who wore off-the-rack suits and $59 Florsheim shoes.

"That always disappointed me," Clarke jokingly responded. "I only paid $49 for those shoes."



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption
KEYWORDS: vandammurdertrial
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To: Mrs.Liberty, all
Ye , since the body was dragged at one time, I speculate that it was a one-armed man who did it and could't carry her..A new series for TV! LOL....with a 60 pound body most adults could carry her...interesting...

Looks like the ME is getting grilled...

301 posted on 03/11/2002 12:46:59 PM PST by rolling_stone
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To: FresnoDA
Thanks so much for keeping us up on the info regarding this case - I'm so glad you're not banned.

About the vaccuuming - The timing of this is what we need to know. I don't think it's all that odd for Damon to have vaccuumed that night - after all he was expecting guests later - and I usually vaccuum before I get company - however - If I was worried about waking up my children (as they seemingly were) I certainly wouldn't have run the vaccuum after I had put them to bed.

302 posted on 03/11/2002 12:53:53 PM PST by mommya
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To: spectre
#295 Who will be penning the best seller?
303 posted on 03/11/2002 12:53:57 PM PST by Jaded
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To: Jaded
Dominick Dunn, of course!
304 posted on 03/11/2002 12:58:58 PM PST by spectre
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To: Jaded
Dominick Dunn, of course!
305 posted on 03/11/2002 1:01:00 PM PST by spectre
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 303 | View Replies]

To: FresnoDA
I wondered if the mother snubbed him when they were at the club that night. Maybe he wanted to get even with the mom by doing something he was prone to do anyway.
306 posted on 03/11/2002 1:14:37 PM PST by DallasDeb
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To: mommya
Westerfield defense is keying in on "how long" the body had been in the area.

Time of death remains undeterminable.....

Two teeth were dislodged, and the Forensic Dentist found inside of the oral cavity (his words). Could have shaken out....no visible fractures of the teeth.

Again, no signs of trauma, prior to death....

Suffocation is the tendency being proffered by the prosecution....

307 posted on 03/11/2002 1:20:38 PM PST by FresnoDA
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To: rolling_stone

PRELIMINARY HEARING - Partial Transcripts (On the Fly!!)

Came in - the hearing was underway
[12:28] there are three witnesses coming in
[12:28] hmmmm sounds like prosecution wants a delay
[12:28] prosectution wants delay? I thought it was Feldman
[12:28] 1600 pages of a discovery - the prosecutors want more time
[12:29] the defense is saying let's go
[12:29] then lets go!!

[12:30] they aren't saying anything right now
[12:30] mics need to be set up better

[12:30] im watching it on the web
[12:31] http://www.msnbc.com/m/lv/default.asp

[12:31] robbery cop on
[12:32] james collins
[12:32] lt with SDPD
[12:33] called to respond to D house
[12:33] as robbery lieutenant
[12:34] he got there shortly after 10
[12:34] Collins robbery division in charge of all crimes of robbery
and kidnapping
[12:34] first searched dumpsters in area
[12:35] searched house to house in neighborhood
[12:35] search and rescue in at 7 pm
[12:36] call came in to cops at 10 a.m.

[12:36] checked at border
[12:37] searched at Silver Strand for witnesses
[12:37] hearsay - Feldman
[12:38] got more than 900 tips

[12:38] on the 27th, they were at Dehesa
[12:38] he was still in charge of search efforts
[12:39] at 2:34 he was paged by Susan Wintersteen

[12:39] Westerfield in dark suit , white shirt, tie

[12:39] said center had heard from search teams - body was found
[12:39] cop was at police headquarters
[12:39] he grabbed a few cops and went to Dehesa site
[12:39] Muren - a cop
[12:40] describing where the tree is
[12:40] the roads
[12:40] past golf course

[12:40] commercial
[12:40] someone take over
[12:40] you are ahead of what im seeing jameson
[12:41] courttv went to commercial for crying out loud

[12:41] there is a quarry near ther - there were people when he got there
[12:42] He told the detectives to talk to everyone there

[12:42] body described as parially burned -
[12:42] searcher saw the choker
[12:42] id'ing dvd missing flyer - confirms
[12:42] did not disturb body
[12:43] Collins went in and agreed it was her
[12:43] went to the scene - around the oak tree
[12:43] told him to watch footing, not to disturb evidence
[12:43] these people neet to speak up!
[12:43] went to north side of oak tree - showed him where the body was
[12:44] careful to preserve scene
[12:44] lying on back, head facing south, face east, lower torso advanced decomp,
faial tissue mostly gone
[12:44] animals had gotten to the body
[12:44] white person, no clothing
[12:44] no clothing on her
[12:44] he was 10 feet away
[12:44] parts missing
[12:44] didnt want to get closer
[12:44] one of her feet was gone
[12:44] one of her feet missing
[12:45] he saw her choker
[12:45] jewelry - plastic brown choker around neck, as in the missing flyer
[12:45] confirms it
[12:45] no clothing
[12:45] saw earring in left ear
[[12:45] he saw her left earring
[12:45] flat
[12:45] round earring
[12:45] mickey mouse
[12:45] was not able to see other ear - face was truned
[12:45] he thought it was the one she had been wearing - he couldn't see her
other ear - head turned to right
[12:46] animals had gotten to her
[12:46] no sign of burning
[12:46] no burning at all -
[12:46] tree had no signs of burning

[12:46] drag marks in the leaves
[12:46] "drag mark" under the tree
[12:46] she had been dragged into - from the north
[12:47] he left after just a few minutes
[12:47] lewis and newman notified
[12:47] to conduct scene inevstigation
[12:47] he called in - wanted to process scene -
[12:48] said he felt the body decomposed in the position it was
[12:48] there was some question as to whose jurisdiction it was in
[12:48] he would be in charge if it was Danielle

[12:49] Feldman is somber - listening intently (Correction - I meant DW)
[12:49] what was the objection?
[12:49] more evidence techs requested
[12:49] dw looks very bad - drawn, tired, bags under the eyes
[12:49] regarding hearsay

[12:50] Feldman is on a computer - - wonder if he is getting live feed from the
court reporter
[12:50] objection - no foundation for question
[12:50] hearsay cindy

[12:50] They are going to set up a podium
[12:50] no one can hear
[12:51] searching for the podium
[12:51] commercial again


[12:52] 3 reports
[12:52] reviewed the reports to see accurate, details significant
[12:52] talks VERY fast, feldman
[12:52] objection, irrevlevant, denied
[12:53] feldman is very fast
[12:53] asks if he reviewed the reports prior to coming to court - no
[12:53] did you review anything? - yes, some reports prepared by officers
and detectives
[12:53] interviews of witnesses
[12:53] he reviewed reports by patrol officers
[12:53] bvd, dvd, hamburg, easton, kimmel, one more i didnt catch
[12:54] asks for all documents that he used to be given
[12:54] morgan
[12:54] Audry Easton
[12:54] feldman is requesting those documents

[12:54] Denise Kimmel
[12:54] Chris Morgan, Kristen Heinberg, Margaret Easton, Denise Kimmel
[12:54] chris morgan kirston hamberg, barbara easton, denise himmel
[12:54] and the Van Dams

[12:54] judge says yes, he must habnd them over...
[12:55] at any time a witness refers to docs for recollection, he must produce
....says he never received anything
[12:55] feldman wants these docs
[12:55] asking pros if there is a problem? - no
[12:55] discussion the nneed to produce these docs to feldman
[12:55] Feldman hasn't seen any of the reports from Hollis
[12:56] Apparently Feldman feels he should have had those reports before now

[12:56] 10:30 that NIGHT this cop was called in
[12:56] it took that long!
[12:56] Holy cow!
[12:57] yes I know..

[12:57] Collins first heard of the kidnapping at about 5 pm - - got the call
5 hours later
[12:57] call out at 10:30 pm
[12:57] what took so LONG?

[12:57] he was involved in 1 search of vd home
[12:57] involved in one search Feb 3 of VD house
[12:57] to make sure Danielle was not in the house
[12:57] not looking for blood or anything
[12:57] he searched the house looking for Danielle?

[12:58] referred to banister, and blood on it
[12:58] Feldman just dropped in that there were spots of blood onthe stairs
[12:58] Feldman is being asked to calm down
[12:58] Feldman has his adrenaline up
[
[12:58] blood on stairs in vd home or dw home?
[12:58] vd

[12:58] Feldman wants to know who was responsible for the forensic investigation
[12:59] he went in at 3 am
[12:59] forensic team was finished
[12:59] but he was searching for a body
[12:59] Feldman is good - - details, details
[12:59] he checked areas the forensic team didn't check
[12:59] looking for Danielle
[13:00] (that doesn't make sense, folks--LP)
[13:00] but he wasn't taking forensic evidence or looking for it
[13:00] 3 am on the 2nd he was looking for the body in the house - (Correctin -
-this would have been the 3rd!)
[13:00] worked with FBI
[13:00] on the case
[13:00] I want to know where he was looking

[13:00] Child abuse unit was there
[13:00] rumors of child abuse

[13:00] Lieutenant with robbery

[13:01] Feldman is pointing out that B&D were necessary suspects
[
[13:01] did anyone inspect the stairway area of VD residence?
[13:01] did anyone inspect the stairway?
[13:01] he doesn't know, assumes they did
[13:01] Collins says he doesn't know
[13:02] Collins says he has never seen a floorplan but was in the house
[13:02] could you tell whose room was whose?
[13:02] No, he couldn't
[13:02] could you tell what room was the girl's - NO
[13:02] nothing indicated who was in what room
[13:02] it was PINK!
[13:02] he was shown her room - - doesn't rememberby who- not parents
[13:02] Were you shown which bedroom was Danielles? Yes, but not by parents
[13:02] he went in the room
[13:03] the doors were likely shut, guest

[13:03] did you look for blood in the room? Yes
[13:03] he was looking around
[13:03] but not "microscopically"
[13:03] people had been looking for trace evidence
[13:03] just a visual inspection

[13:04] Did he suspect initially that parents involved? objection, sustained
[13:04] initially did he suspect the parents? objection - sustained
[13:04] won't let him touch that
[13:04] :)
[13:04]

[13:04] Collins did not direct forensic team
[13:04] he was asked if he figured they did their job
[13:05] objection - over ruled
[13:05] no one mentioned blood on stairwel? No
[13:05] Is this the first you heard of that evidence?
[13:05] I believe so
[13:05] That's a quote
[13:06] (he hasn't said yet whose blood it was on stairrail)

[13:06] No - - but how does the defense know if the cop doesn't?

[13:06] did you walk around the residence?
[13:06] yes
[13:06] did you note blood in garage on cement?
[13:06] No
[13:07] were any of your reports forensic?
[13:07] no
[13:07] You were unaware that techs had found blood near garage?
[13:07] objc, sustain
[13:07] AT 3am had you learned that Damon had vacuumed there?
[13:07] oh my vacumming/
[13:07] not sure when he was told
[13:08] WHY vacuum?????
[13:08] ???
[13:08]
[13:08] why would he vacuum at 3:00am?
[13:08] maybe something was spilled when they had pizza
[13:08] The vaccum cleaner was up
[13:08] was told later that Damon had vaccuumed
[13:08] and they say DW is a suspect cuz he cleaned his RV?
[13:08] ?
[13:08] objc, sustain
[13:09] absence or presence of drag marks? No
[13:09] I take it back, some drag marks on sidewalk on east side of house
[13:09] drag marks on east side of the house
[13:09] s.e. corner of house? yes
[13:09] s.w. ext corner of fireplace? I wasn't aware
[13:09] Was one drag mark 5 ' 4" long? don't know
[13:10] were you aware of blood on cement? No
[13:10] Damon was cleaning
[13:10] are you aware of Vanway?

[13:10] what would make a dragmark on cement? Blood?
[13:10] yes
[13:10] blood evidence
[13:10] or dust

[13:10] He's robbery or homicide, in plainclothes

[13:10] feet

[13:10] who is asking questions
[13:10] Feldman
[13:10] Feldman is cross examining

[13:10] now we have blood in three palces in the van Dam home
[13:11] thx :0

[13:11] 2/27 - he got infoemation
[13:11] that the body had been burned
[13:11] decomposition results in darkening
[13:12] "first blush" he thought burned, then realized it was decomp
[13:12] first appearance is that it was burned but not right - you can tell by the
foliage
[13:12] he was homicide det 5 years
[13:12] drag marks near body...report? No
[13:12] drag marks in Dehesa - he didn't write that in the report??
[13:12] From memory alone
[13:12] width of drag marks? long pause


[13:13] for thought: why would a person the size of DW have to drag a body the size of danielle?
[13:13] he did nothing to write reports to keep that memory
[13:13] he asked the cops to take photos
[13:13] good point alie
[13:13] they took photos
[13:14] to keep from getting blood on person
[13:14] the dragging I THINK is important - a pedohile who wanted her would have carried her at that point
[13:14] What if the person is resisiting?
[13:14] you might have to drag them
[13:14] im stuck on the Damon cleaing the house
[13:14] can't cover her mouth if you are dragging her
[13:14] I was referring to dragging at Dehesa
[13:14] lol cindy
[13:15] I am refering to both draggings

[13:15] WHEN did Damon vac?
[13:15] hope they have the vacuum bag
[13:15] maybe the blood issue applies to both?

[13:15] watch DW's movements

[13:15] the night it happened..or early next morning

[13:15] 3am byda??
[13:15] before 3am

[13:15] please describe DW demeanor and movements when you have time
[13:16] He is sitting with hands on hi lap mostly
[13:16] listening intently
[13:16] looking up?
[13:16] he looks very tired
[13:16] but is paying attention
[13:16] but not zombie

[13:16] no, cop was told at 3 AM Sunday that DVD had vaccumed
[13:16] Vacumed after forensic team was done?
[13:17] sems that way MaybeSo

[13:17] does his expression change at any of the testimony?

[13:17] seems
[13:17] AFTER forensics team was there?

[13:17] famale came in and sat near him and he touched her seat or something -

[13:17] big deal

[13:17] moved a paper on the table out of her way.

[13:17] Randy they went back 2 weeks later for more evidence

[13:17] her seat? her chair?


[13:17] what did they think they would get if Damon had been cleaning since day 1

[13:17] Feldman is fast and loud and the judge isn't fond of him
[13:18] :(

[13:18] commercial again

[13:18] I believe the forensics team had been there for 25 hours that day

[13:18] it's always that way with judges

[13:18] one of searchers took pictures.

[13:18] 15 hours, excuuuuse me

[13:18] Feldman sounds too angry he should take it easy


[13:18] Feldman trying to ascertain if additional photos were taken by searcher
[13:18] Were you aware they didn't tell?

[13:18] the judge asked the reporter i she got all that and she said
she was fine until the court interrupted :)

[13:19] the cops weren't communicating a lot
[13:19] doesn't say who killed her but this is a lot of stuff
[13:19] yep
[13:19] Feldman is doing a great job

[13:19] Collins describing body
[13:20] a searcher took pix of the body, but didn't tell police until later?
[13:20] small white -
[13:20] lots of stuff we hadn't heard
[13:20] hair indicated it was a female
[13:20] he sure is making Collins appear incompetent

[13:20] Define what you meant by advanced decomp
[13:20] lot of body tissue was gone
[13:20] Lot of tissue gone, dark color,
[13:20] with additional blood insdie the home....makes me wonder if other blood
was perhaps cleaned before police got there
[13:20] insects on face
[13:20] maggots
[13:20] insect - maggots on face


[13:20] forensic entolomology
[13:21] I didn't want to know that
[13:21] talking about bringing in bug scientists
[13:21] relevance? TOD
[13:21] did he touch body? No
[13:21] odor?
[13:21] none he noticed
[13:22] absence of odor indicates it had been there some time
[13:22] absence of odor suggest greater time or shorter time of decomp?
[13:22] Collins says he can't say - -
[13:22] Might be upwind...
[13:22] maybe he was upwind
[13:22] but i thought searchers were overcome by odor?
[13:22] no lie - he said that
[13:22] Early decomp smells?
[13:22] Yes
[13:22] Feldman is challenging him
[13:22] Upwind or down?
[13:22] yes
[13:22] I bet they were overcome by the sight
[13:23] temperatur at scene
[13:23] (late decomp smells bad, folks-LP)
[13:23] maybe 70
[13:23] Does temp affect decomp? Yes


[13:23] DW just laughed
[13:24] he is not frozen with fear


[13:24] Back to VD residence...
[13:24] did you talk to Damon? No
[13:24] vacuum
[13:24] did they take it?
[13:24] Collins didn't direct that

[13:24] what did he laugh about?
[13:25] it was off mic - can't tell

[13:25] Damon was concerned about daughter, but was vaccuuming?
[13:25] objection, sustained

[13:25] DW is talking to woman next to him
[13:25] he was not the only one laughing, something had been said we didn't hear


[13:25] Could you see footprints?
[13:25] Don't recall any

[13:25] she seems to be explaining things to him and he is nodding


[13:25] this is at scene again
[13:25] Bike marks?
[13:26] Marks in grass, but didn't notice much
[13:26] no further questions

[13:26] Collins just there to identify the victim

[13:26] Could you tell which rooms were male/female?
[13:26] Prosecution asked - - could you tell if the rooms were male or female -
From inside, yes
[13:26] Danielle room had poster bed, don't recall color of walls, but pink
in room
[13:27] what color was Danielle's room? Primary color was pink
[13:27] boys had cars, stuff

[13:27] drag marks at body...photos taken?
[13:27] obj, sustain

[13:27] he mentioned the net canopy....

[13:27] Do you know who directed photos?
[13:27] I did

[13:29] Miller told Collins she was leader of search team
[13:29] obj, denied
[13:29] Searcher went up to body
[13:29] and looked
[13:30] all the team went up and looked
[13:30] they did not touch or move body
[13:30] all their shoes were impounded

[13:30] couldn't tell the boys rooms rom the girls when the doors were closed
[13:30] Couldn't tell the kids' rooms if doors were closed
[13:31] and the vd's said the doors were closed that night

[13:31] Feldman is pointing at Damon for sure
[13:31] yep
[13:31] yep
[13:31] Van Dams told police the doors were closed...obj, sustain
[13:31] of course
[13:31] no other suspect

[13:31] 5 minute break
[13:31] brief break [[13:38] court back

[13:38] new witness
[13:39] brian douglas blackburn
[13:39] Dr
[13:39] Brian Blackburn - the ME
[13:39] ME
[13:39] did the autopsy
[13:39] background stuff now


[13:42] coroner on stand
[13:42] ME got there at about 10:45
[13:42] complaining that ME is reading from something

[13:43] OK - ME went to the tree
[13:43] got there at 10:45
[13:43] were the drag marks at the tree
[13:43] Dark - lots of lights at road
[13:43] used flashlight
[13:43] briefed by detectives
[13:43] went to tree
[13:43] body mummified
[13:43] eyes gone
[13:44] destroyed by animals
[13:44] skin and muscles gone
[13:44] from below collarbones
[13:44] down
[13:44] oh my dear lord
[13:44] legs gown to bone, foot absent
[13:44] he put body in body bag and sheet
[13:45] bagged hands, feet and head
[13:45] I guess it was a good place to leave a body if you wanted it destroyed
[13:45] hands were intact?
[13:45] what of clothing?
[13:45] there, but damages -
[13:45] no clothes
[13:45] he said no clothes also

[13:46] autopsy the next day
[13:46] bug expert at autopsy
[13:46] entolomogst on staff
[13:46] photos taken - about 15 on scene - 30 at 4 hour autopsy
[13:47] describe please
[13:47] seal on bag broken
[13:47] photos taken
[13:47] bags removed and given to lab
[13:47] photos taken
[13:47] trace evidenc - like clipping fingernails and mouth swabs taken then
[13:47] diagram made
[13:47] open chest and abdomen
[13:47] describe external exam
[13:48] animal activity and decomposition
[13:48] both earrings
[13:48] hair and earring described
[13:48] both earrings there -
[13:48] plastic necklace
[13:48] no clothes
[13:48] the back was missing from the left one
[13:48] face entact, mummiffied
[13:49] skin of face intact but mummified
[13:49] showing ME flyer
[13:49] face similar - but changed due to ...
[13:49] Internal
[13:50] below ribcage, organs missing
[13:50] bowel parts missing, from animals
[13:51] chest organs intact
[13:51] fluid in pleural cavity - taken for exam
[13:51] heart and lungs seemed normal
[13:51] though decomposing
[13:51] ugh
[13:51] bowel pulled from body
[13:51] all genitalia missing
[13:51] rectum partly there, severely decomposed
[13:51] heart normal
[13:51] lungs had some edema - better preserved than the rest of the organs
[13:51] below the rib cage
[13:51] missing rgans due to animal activity
[13:51] liver part there - bowel part here
[13:51] animals had been at her
[13:51] genitalia all missing
[13:51] animals
[13:51] swabbed what there was of the rectum
[13:51] swaps in pelvis
[13:52] but decomposed
[13:52] found bladder and was swapped
[13:52] all cells sloughed off and bacteria there
[13:52] tissue inside mouth swapped
[13:52] looking for any sexual activity
[13:52] 5 days only for semen to remain
[13:52] determine how long dead?
[13:52] long range only
[13:53] animal activity and decomp consistent with 3 1/2 weeks she was missing
[13:53] swabs of pelvis, but he swabbed area - - couldn't really tell what there was
[13:53] swabbed mouth
[13:53] inside mouth had deteriorated to - like mud
[13:53] how long had she been dead
[13:53] broad range - - can't pinpoint -
[13:53] consistant with the 3 1/2 weeks she had been missing
[13:53] commercial
[13:53] other body or fluid samples?

[13:54] ITK said, and I quote, "its gonna get worse....much worse. hang on "

[13:54] no actual blood
[13:54] the medical examiner does not expect that sperm would last in the body after
that long

[13:54] he was right
[13:54] sure was

[13:54] mummified hands
[13:54] hands were intact but mummified

[13:54] he said the most he found it last was 5 days
[13:55] mummified face as well

[13:55] is this the first DW has heard of the state of the body when found?

[13:55] not able to take fingerprints without rehydrating
[13:55] no genetalia left
[13:55] they took hands off and sent them to the lab
[13:55] hands removed

[13:55] but he did swab the bladder area
[13:55] dental records checked
[13:55] forensic dentist identified by dental records
[13:55] at autopsy

[13:55] Cause of death?
[13:56] Cause still pending
[13:56] pending, no injuries anatomical
[13:56] couldn't tell at autopsy

[13:56] injury or illness?
[13:56] no disease
[13:56] manner of death?
[13:56] homicide
[13:56] manner of death - homicide
[13:56] congested lungs

[13:56] all circumstances, being missing, found decomposed
[13:57] anything at scene to determine cause of death?
[13:57] whole circumstance

[13:57] he said there was edema and congestion, and 80 cc of fluid in one lung and
50 on the other
[13:57] Too much decomposition

[13:57] he sent the fluid to the toxicologist
[13:57] 30 minute recess

 

CHAT WENT ON _ _ THIS IS NOT TESTIMONY!

[13:58] they have not come to that yet
[13:58] she was nude
[13:58] necklace on and earrings
[13:58] pajamas?
[13:58] skin face intact
[13:58] (sask) could animals have pulled the clothing away?
[13:58] fingernails were clipped and examined.
[13:58] they would hve just opened what they wanted
[13:58] There would have been trace evidence of clothing if animals took it. Right?
[13:58] yes
[13:59] (sask) wonder if the police did find the earring backing somewhere
[13:59] prolly in the vacuum cleaner
[13:59] animals wouldn't take clothing

[13:59] was the blood found on stairway in VD home ? in VD garage?

[13:59] it may have been at scene...that hasn't been addressed yet

[13:59] blood on stairway, and near garage, LB
[13:59] court is on break - - they showed DW -
[14:00] on sidewalk, bloody drag marks at VD home


[14:00] I just don't see gult there, people

[14:00] present at autopsy: Det. Kaizer, 2 criminologists, Savage and Duheney, M>E>
Assistant,
[14:00] dragging at body scene could it be from animals dragging?
[14:00] DW seems to have a tremor
[14:00] entomologist

[14:00] i was thinking same thing jameson
[14:00] maybe early Parkinson?
[14:00] Feldman has questioned about blood on stairway, but there has not
been evidence to support that presented yet RIGHT?

[14:00] watch him - \
[14:00] he looks more worried than guilty to me

[14:00] Feldman got that info from a police report, Lav

[14:00] LP, is he shaking like in his initail appearance?
[14:00] no
[14:00] no shakes
[14:00] at first a bit
[14:00] not that bad
[14:00] not now
[14:01] he is OK
[14:01] just seems like a man that is a place he never imagined he would be
[14:01] agree

[14:01] i thought the drag marks were at the site, not at the house, someone please
clarify
[14:01] maybe medicated, but not a zombie at all
[14:01] I saw mild tremor when the camera was close up on him today
[14:01] any emotion shown during testimony?

[14:01] Where's the police report. I'd love to read it.

[14:01] dragging at both scenes
[14:01] drag marks at house on sidewalk
[14:01] damn
[14:01] drag to the tree from the north - - the access road
[14:01] :)
[14:02] short drag mark at Dehesa?
[14:02] YOU MEAN SHE WS DRAGGEDFROM HER HOUSEO +
[14:02] blood on sidewalk at VDs and near chimeny
[14:02] WHAT
[14:02] i cannot believe this
[14:02] Damon vaccuumed before crime techs arrived
[14:02] blood on stairs in the home also right?
[14:02] blood on handrail
[14:02] and in the garage


[14:02] and no one heard that child being DRAGGED?
[14:02] Not IN the garage. Adjacent
[14:02] this is too much
[14:02] that is impossible
[14:03] Myunderstanding is the vacuuming was after the forensics team left
[14:03] blood not in garage, but near garage
[14:03] before crime techs or between techs and detective? I wasn't clear on that
[14:03] mine too
[14:03] i wouldnt do that....even if they had left
[14:03] i cannot believe they vacuumed...unless he just is stupid
[14:03] I thought it was before techs
[14:03] vacuum at 3:00am?
[14:03] is he some kind of a dumbass?
[14:03] but either way...vaccuuming??
[14:03] we heard friends were inthere cleaning up all the fingerprint stuff
[14:03] (sask) maybe this explains more about the search dog's response
[14:04] those cops tracked in a lot of dirt!
[14:04] no, 3 AM is when the cop was told about the vacuuming
[14:04] you know they had to have some cross contamination, then
[14:04] seems stupid to vaccuum, but what if a glass broke or a plant tipped over or he had a reason like that?
[14:04] just doesnt make sense
[14:04] Collins arrived 3 a.m.
[14:04] he was told about vaccuming later
[14:04] the drag marks to where ?
[14:04] I F my child was missing, i would preserve the site
[14:04] the vaccuming was only mentioned in the garage
[14:04] geez, parents shouldn't even have been in the house at that point
[14:04] coke?
[14:05] Hi all
[14:05] you are right pigeon
[14:05] reports from interviews collins reviewed...those were the people in the house plus some
[14:05] others. long list of names.
[14:05] hi Kathy
[14:05] LP, let's wait and read the log :)
[14:05] This is KN
[14:05] seems that garage is the focus of many things
[14:05] hi Kathy
[14:05] that was a big mistake on the pd part

308 posted on 03/11/2002 1:26:47 PM PST by FresnoDA
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To: rolling_stone
one-armed man who did it and could't carry her

LOL~! You are a hoot!

309 posted on 03/11/2002 1:35:22 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: golitely
They did note the blood by the garage..they just didn't tell their lead investigator/manager
310 posted on 03/11/2002 1:37:08 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~

PROSECUTION, Key Questions/Responses

Neighbor of Westerfield, testifying to her observation of Westerfield's home. 

On the evening of Febraruy 1, 2002, witness testified viewing DW rear back light was on.  It was she stated unusual.

Witness got up between 2 and 2:30 A.M.  Witness observed that light was still shining in room.  Witness looked into Westerfields backyard.  Noted that all windows are blinds were closed...

Asked about Recreational Vehicles.....

Observed loading/unloading motorhome.  Westerfield house, located on a corner lot. Parked Motorhome on corner, and DW would park a couple of days prior to trip....also has an enclosed buggy trailer (sand buggy).

DEFENSE, Key Questions/Responses

Witness is a dispatcher with California Highway Patrol.  Husband is a CHP officer.  Feldman is questioning why a CHP dispatcher, who worked Tuesday and Wednesday, would be up at 2 - 2:30 A.M. observing Westerfield's home!!

Hmmmmm......prosecution selects a Law Enforcement "neighbor" as key witness....

(Good Question!!)

311 posted on 03/11/2002 1:40:02 PM PST by FresnoDA
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To: FresnoDA
Hmmmn, is a neighbor of Westerfield's considered a neighbor of the vanDams? - Back to the friends, or neighbors, in high places.
312 posted on 03/11/2002 1:50:49 PM PST by mommya
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
And WHY didn't they tell the lead investigator, Kim? We're not talking about nothing here...this is HUGE.

I don't want to start anything, but you think they were all just eating pizza that night also? At 2:30 am? Was it a sleep over pizza party? Is the moon made of green cheese?

sw

313 posted on 03/11/2002 1:54:40 PM PST by spectre
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To: spectre
is this chp dispatcher still on? I can't get the sound anymore...
314 posted on 03/11/2002 1:57:02 PM PST by Mrs.Liberty
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To: spectre;spectre
And WHY didn't they tell the lead investigator, Kim? We're not talking about nothing here...this is HUGE.

It is kind of important to tell the lead guy about all the blood info.

315 posted on 03/11/2002 1:58:03 PM PST by Mrs.Liberty
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To: FresnoDA
Maybe said witness was stalking Westerfield out, since she may have been involved with him. Said witness said the blinds were closed? Yeah, maybe Westerfield was in there doing Brenda, or one of her girl-friends.

sw

316 posted on 03/11/2002 1:58:32 PM PST by spectre
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To: spectre
Yes, and maybe they had their garage equipped to engage in the making of their home videos, enticing friends to join in (after offering a "Coke" or soemthing). Maybe an exchange of money involved? Of course this is total fiction, real people living in an upper income suburb would never engage in such!
317 posted on 03/11/2002 1:58:51 PM PST by Lanza
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To: mommya
VideoWatch The Preliminary Hearing Live

And On NewsChannel 15

The Neighbor can not recall if the blinds were opened any day prior to Feb 1/2 or any day after......just that night......hhmmmmmm!!!

318 posted on 03/11/2002 1:59:25 PM PST by FresnoDA
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To: Mrs.Liberty;Lanza
I've been getting it off of Court TV, they keep going to other subjects and back again.

Lanza, of course you are just speculating and it's a perfect world we live in, wink, wink.

sw

319 posted on 03/11/2002 2:02:50 PM PST by spectre
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To: FresnoDA
The Neighbor can not recall if the blinds were opened any day prior to Feb 1/2 or any day after......just that night......hhmmmmmm!!!

That's it! He IS guilty!

320 posted on 03/11/2002 2:05:14 PM PST by Mrs.Liberty
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