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Account for Danielle's search still has $24,000 (What about money promised to Laura Recovery?)
Union Trib ^ | March 31, 2002 | Kristen Green

Posted on 03/31/2002 1:52:12 PM PST by FresnoDA

Account set up for Danielle's search still has about $24,000



Van Dams undecided on how money will be used

By Kristen Green
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

March 24, 2002

altAfter Danielle van Dam was abducted from her Sabre Springs home, neighbors, friends and even strangers volunteered to help out. Some put up fliers in storefronts around the county, and others joined the search party. But many also opened their checkbooks.

As of Friday, more than $33,000 had been donated by people from New Jersey to Oregon.

During the search for the 7-year-old, donations totaling more than $10,600 flowed into an account in Danielle's name. And since the discovery of her body in rural East County nearly a month after she was reported missing, an additional $22,800 has been deposited.

"We didn't go open an account and ask for money," said family friend Bill Libby, who handled donations for the van Dams. "I opened the account because people wanted to donate money."

Initially, the family expected to use the donations to pay for search expenses, like posters and fliers. After Danielle's body was found, the family Web site said additional donations would be used to pay memorial expenses.

But Libby said the family's expenses have been limited because of numerous donations, from fliers to cremation fees. So far, the van Dams have spent $4,200 of the donations to buy banners, posters and buttons.

And they are writing a $5,000 check to the Laura Recovery Center, which coordinated the search for Danielle.

The family hasn't decided how to use the remaining $24,000.

"I'm sure in due time that they will turn their attention to the appropriate and productive use of those funds, but right now they're really still dealing with the loss of their daughter," said family spokeswoman Sara Muller Fraunces.

Close friends have suggested the van Dams take their time considering how the money will be used. Libby has said the funds could be used to pay for counseling for the family, and the van Dams are considering establishing a local foundation to conduct searches for missing San Diego children.

After Danielle's parents realized she wasn't in her bed the morning of Feb. 2, people began donating money to cover search expenses. Libby tried to open an account at Wells Fargo on behalf of the van Dams.

But the account had to be set up by a nonprofit organization, and a family friend who attends Community Bible Church in Scripps Ranch asked the pastor if the church would sponsor the account. Even though the van Dams aren't members of his congregation, the Rev. Barry Minkow agreed.

Minkow, who was convicted of securities and bank fraud in the late 1980s and served a 71/2-year prison sentence, doesn't have access to the van Dam account, church treasurer Bruce Brown said.

Brown said he is the only person who can withdraw money from the account, taking requests for checks directly from Libby, who acts on the van Dams' behalf.



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: vandam; westerfield
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To: Valpal1
There is also standard LE Probable cause, you know acted nervous, didn't maintain eye contact, sweated profusely, uncooperative, overly cooperative, evasive in questioning, defiant when questioned, tail light burned out, didn't signal for turn, driving erraticly, oh yea got shot because he made a furtive movement.....etc.....all catch alls to show probable cause...

While it is sop to talk to all the neightbors and people that had been in contact with the VD's, I can speculate when DW's name came up the PD was told more about DW than they were originally about their drug supplier.....LOL......or Barbara......

221 posted on 04/01/2002 4:48:15 PM PST by rolling_stone
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To: Southflanknorthpawsis
That is true, and there weren't enough specifics... IE: How short were they when she died? how often did she bite them? It's hard to tell by the pics..but I think in at least one school pic..at least it looks like a school pic, the nails just look short, but not to the quick. So, that's yet another question we need the answer to. (I hope you're doing ok..haven't seen you in a while)
222 posted on 04/01/2002 4:48:28 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: vacrn
Thats good to hear about the $ being donated..thanks for checking for us.
223 posted on 04/01/2002 4:49:29 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: Valpal1
I think the impasse here is that you are convinced that because a certain set of procedures should be followed, they will followed. I tend to think they don't always follow the rules or the procedures. You are quite entitled to your opinion--but unless and until the full story is disclosed, we have only this man's word to go on. The rest is your opinion of how it should have gone. I should add that some of my own opinion is bolstered by something I cannot prove from a source that is not nearly as reliable as this videoclip--rumors. I do not quote them because while I suspect they are true, they remain rumors. But the videoclip is rock solid.
224 posted on 04/01/2002 4:54:18 PM PST by MizSterious
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To: FresnoDA
OOhh..pretty rainbow colors.
225 posted on 04/01/2002 4:54:21 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: wonders
My six yr. old can make a five mark arc on my arm, measuring about 1.5 inches. The fifth mark was made by the side edge of her thumbnail and was somewhat less arced than the others.

Kim, that was the first time I have seen those close up enough to actually see them. You would think they have DNA from the fingernail scrapings. If they don't bring that (fingernal scrapings) out at trial, I am going to join the dark side. Cause if she made those marks, it HAS to leave evidence under the fingernails. I don't see anyway around that. If it is there, it's a nail in his coffin. BUT if logically expected evidence is not there, then something is wrong.

I bet the initial interviewing LEO was very interested in those marks too. Love to see those notes!

226 posted on 04/01/2002 5:00:18 PM PST by Valpal1
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
While it's true we can't know the length of the nails at the time, it still seems like a stretch to imagine a young child successfully digging that deep into an arm much larger than her hand and do it all without the anchor of a thumb.

I tried it on my husband's arm and I could hardly apply any significant pressure with thumb and fingers on top. It was hard to even scrape the surface; let alone dig in.

I also don't think they look like fingernail scratches, period. At best, it seems a child would leave long, thin scrapes rather than holes.

227 posted on 04/01/2002 5:01:42 PM PST by Southflanknorthpawsis
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To: FresnoDA
Experience is sometimes better than books.
228 posted on 04/01/2002 5:01:54 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: Valpal1, Southflanknorthpawsis
I just don't know..and feel that none of us can actually judge...Adrenalyn (spelling?) will increase ones strength--even a childs (the fight or flight syndrome). Rape victims can leave marks...with minimal nails..I remember learning that in school..but honestly, there are valid points on all sides. Another thing to consider: rapists sometimes makes their victims take showers etc.., so would it horrify or surprise you if the killer cleaned her hands with bleach water or nail file or both? I'm not assuming, just throwing out ideas. If there is no evidence under the nails....it could be because he cleaned them, right?
229 posted on 04/01/2002 5:13:55 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
I left a key word out..

Rape victims = adult Rape victims

230 posted on 04/01/2002 5:20:12 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: FresnoDA
I posted before that LEO should have been LE. And being on the sh**** end of a LE investigation is experience.

Walsh has credibility as an expert too. NAMEC is listed (in many places, like our own local Amber Plan literature)as an LE resource and information clearing house. They are recommended by the FBI to local LE enduring an abduction investigation. The fact is, they can come up with money, manpower, equipment and expertise in a faster time frame than most LE localities have or can afford. AND they do it for free.

Far outshines your own credibility, by far, FDA. You have far more in common with the sensationlist Network newsreaders (Rather, et al) you compared him with, "just a newsreader" he's not.

231 posted on 04/01/2002 5:21:07 PM PST by Valpal1
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
Hopefully the majority of our "questions" will be answered over the course of the trial.

From pictures and logic, I weigh on the side of the marks being unrelated to anything having to do directly with Danielle. Perhaps time will prove me right or wrong. I'll settle for either one as long as I get an explanation.

Then again.....we may never know. I believe that unless the marks can be traced to hard evidence, the prosecution might not go there.

232 posted on 04/01/2002 5:25:39 PM PST by Southflanknorthpawsis
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To: Southflanknorthpawsis
Then again.....we may never know. I believe that unless the marks can be traced to hard evidence, the prosecution might not go there

True, and if no hard evidence isn't produced, I'm wondering if the judge would refer to it in his jury instructions.

Hey, did you read that he requested a speedy trial? Less money spent..and to fast pace it like that..I'd be scared if I were him. I wonder why the defense requested that.

233 posted on 04/01/2002 5:30:23 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: Southflanknorthpawsis
if no hard evidence isn't produce Should have read if no hard evidence is produce
234 posted on 04/01/2002 5:31:23 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
I'd be scared if I were him.

Which "him"? The judge, the prosecutor, DW or Feldman?

235 posted on 04/01/2002 5:34:51 PM PST by Southflanknorthpawsis
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To: Valpal1
There is a recent study(2000) suggesting fingernail clippings are more productive than fingernail scrapings, I can't get URL to post but here it is:

Physical Evidence Associated with Fingernails Alan Keel

Ed Blake

Jennifer Mihalovich

Forensic Science Associates

3053 Research Drive

Richmond, CA 94806

A total of 36 cases, examined from 1988 to the present in which fingernail scrapings and/or clippings were submitted as physical evidence were reviewed. Biological materials found associated with fingernails included blood, skin, hair, epithelial cells, and sperm. As much as 1250 ng of DNA was recovered from a fingernail specimen. PCR-based genetic information was obtained from all of eight (100%) scrapings submissions, 20 of 25 (80%) clippings submissions, and three of three (100%) found nail submissions. The five clippings cases in which no typing results were obtained were from PCRs in 1991 or earlier. Failure to obtain results from these specimens likely reflected PCR inhibition. Recently, a complete 10-locus STR profile was obtained from fingernail scrapings that were over 30 years old and stored at room temperature. Of those with typing results, foreign DNA was detected in 13% of the scrapings and in 50% of the clippings submissions. Multiplexed STR analysis (i.e. Profiler Plus) provided highly discriminating foreign DNA profiles in four of four (100%) clippings submissions that were subject to STR analysis.

These successes with biological materials recovered from fingernail scrapings and clippings indicate that clippings from victim fingernails (living or dead) are more likely to yield informative genetic data than are fingernail scrapings. This is so because body fluids such as saliva and semen coat both the top and under surfaces of the nail. Scraping only the under surface fails to adequately capture these dried fluids. Fingernail clippings also allow the scientist more flexibility in specimen sampling. For example, areas of concentrated blood on fingernail clippings can be avoided during sampling. Also, it is impractical to attempt to separate debris scraped from under fingernails that is usually pooled in a bindle or on the same scraping tool. Therefore, we recommend the routine collection of fingernail clippings from both dead and living victims as a more efficient procedure for obtaining fingernail-related evidence.

236 posted on 04/01/2002 5:38:18 PM PST by rolling_stone
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To: Southflanknorthpawsis
DW---if I were him, I'd be scared if the judge granted it because a speedy trial can produce carelessness..maybe that's what they want. I don't know. It could increase chances for appeal if more mistakes are made, maybe that is what they're hoping for.
237 posted on 04/01/2002 5:39:21 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
goverment & procedures=slow work output

private & incentives = fast work output

238 posted on 04/01/2002 5:41:53 PM PST by rolling_stone
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To: rolling_stone
What do you think the incentive is for a speedy trial, besides 'possibly lowering atty fees?
239 posted on 04/01/2002 5:43:51 PM PST by Freedom2specul8
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
All reports point to Feldman as a brilliant defense attorney. I doubt he would jeopardize his client intentionally and he's certainly no rookie.

For that reason, I think it may be the prosecution that suffers most from a speedy trial. Their case is complicated and circumstantial.

My guess is that the quick trial benefits DW or at least is expected to do so.

240 posted on 04/01/2002 5:45:15 PM PST by Southflanknorthpawsis
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