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PROSECUTORS TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY IN WESTERFIELD CASE
Union Tribune/KFMB ^ | April 25, 2002 | Harry Jones

Posted on 04/25/2002 9:15:24 AM PDT by FresnoDA

Westerfield hearing could be focused on death penalty

By J. Harry Jones
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

April 25, 2002

A San Diego Superior Court hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. today for David Westerfield, the Sabre Springs man accused of kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

The attorneys involved in the case are prohibited from discussing it because of a gag order, but it is possible that prosecutors will announce whether they will seek the death penalty against the self-employed engineer.

His attorneys have insisted on Westerfield's right to a speedy trial, which is scheduled to begin May 17. He is being held in County Jail without bail.

After Westerfield's arrest Feb. 22, prosecutors filed special allegations in the case, accusing him of committing murder during a kidnapping, which gives them the option of seeking his execution if convicted.

District Attorney Paul Pfingst has a protocol on reaching a decision that usually takes several months; the case is reviewed by a panel of senior prosecutors. Defense attorneys also have the option of meeting with Pfingst.

It has been just over two months since the charges against Westerfield were brought, and because of the gag order it has not been possible to determine whether the panel made a recommendation or if Westerfield's attorneys met with Pfingst.

The district attorney makes the final decision. If he chooses not to seek the death penalty, Westerfield would face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

Danielle's family lived two doors from Westerfield. Her parents reported her missing Feb. 2, and police quickly focused on Westerfield as the prime suspect.

Prosecutors said DNA testing proved that blood found on some of Westerfield's clothing and in his motor home was Danielle's.

Volunteer searchers found the girl's body Feb. 27 east of El Cajon in a stand of oak trees just off Dehesa Road. The cause of death has not been determined because of decomposition of the body, officials said.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: vandam; westerfield
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To: Jaded
Urine doesn't contain DNA. (sure about that ?)

Even if true, the crotch of a pair of dirty underwear WILL CONTAIN DNA ! Urine stains or not !

421 posted on 04/30/2002 10:11:51 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
Dope testing and disease testing work when there is something extra in the urine.
422 posted on 04/30/2002 10:12:11 AM PDT by Jaded
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To: FresnoDA
Bill Libby,(Van Dams friend) is not the RV dealer. You are correct.
423 posted on 04/30/2002 10:15:01 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: FresnoDA
Rick Roberts’ high-placed law enforcement official said that before Danielle’s disappearance, the van Dam’s neighbor, David Westerfield "found out about the family’s (van Dam’s) swinging lifestyle and approached them to host an adult party at his house." "Westerfield told Brenda, I like to hold Adult Parties....you bring the salad, I provide the meat!"

I thought he had the salad and they brought the meat. That could get kind of pricey.

424 posted on 04/30/2002 10:15:17 AM PDT by Jaded
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To: UCANSEE2
Okay, I was wrong. They have a body now for blood to blood testing. Wonder how many markers they will check.
425 posted on 04/30/2002 10:16:39 AM PDT by Jaded
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To: Jaded

NOTE...next court appearance by DW has been moved to May 2.....???

INMATE DETAIL

Information is current as of last update: 04/30/2002

The data contained in these files is updated only once a day and should not be relied upon for any type of legal action.

PERSONAL ARREST
Last: WESTERFIELD Agency:
First: DAVID Location:
Middle: A Hold Codes:
Sex: M Bail Amount: $ 0
Race: W Facility: 1
Date of Birth: 02/25/1952 Cell: 05
Age: 50 Booking Date: 02/22/2002
Height: 6'02" Booking Time: 15:24
Weight: 210 lbs Booking Nbr: 02109697
ReBook Code: 2

CHARGES: Description Code Statute Warrant Nbr
Primary: MRDR:1ST DEG:S PC 187(A) PC
Second:
Third:
Fourth:
Fifth:

COURT: Destination Court Date Time
Appearance 1: SD40 04/18/2002 08:30
Appearance 2: SD40 05/02/2002 10:00

426 posted on 04/30/2002 10:19:47 AM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: UCANSEE2

Missing Toddler's Mother Pleads For His Return

Tameka Jones Talks For The First Time On 'Today'

 

POSTED: 6:59 a.m. PDT April 30, 2002
UPDATED: 10:05 a.m. PDT April 30, 2002
 

Two mothers who know first hand the pain of having a missing child came together Tuesday morning to plead for the safe return of 2-year-old Jahi Turner.

Tameka Jones and Brenda van DamTameka Jones and Brenda van Dam spoke about Jahi's disappearance with Katie Couric on the NBC "Today" show. Jones, the boy's mother, spoke quietly as she described Jahi and what he was wearing Thursday when his stepfather said he vanished from a playground in Balboa Park.

"He's just the sweetest little boy you ever could see," she said.

The 18-year-old Navy seaman had the support of van Dam, who made a similar national appeal for the safe return of her daughter, Danielle, in February. Danielle's body was found several weeks later, and a neighbor has been charged with kidnapping and murdering her.

Early in the interview, Couric asked Jones about something that has been on the minds of many people since news of the disappearance first surfaced.

"Some people listening to this, Tameka, might think, why in the world would you leave a 2-year-old all alone for 15 minutes?" Couric asked. "Have you talked to your husband about that, and did he think that Jahi would be OK by himself. Or did he ask anyone to watch him? Can you tell me about that?"

Van Dam answered for Jones in much the same way she did when reporters tried to ask her and her husband questions about their lifestyle during the search for her daughter Danielle.

"Katie, I think the most important thing here is not what was done, but finding Jahi," she said. "He is the most important part. He is the focus, and we have to keep the focus on him."

Couric noted that police had located a woman who Jahi's stepfather said was at the park when he left the boy alone to buy a soda. She asked Jones if investigators had ruled out the woman as a suspect in Jahi's disappearance.

"We haven't learned anything from the police yet, but I'm sure they'll let us know soon," Jones said.

Jones told Couric she believes the boy was abducted, and she pleaded for his safe return.

"I just want to say that I just want them to drop him off in a safe place so someone can find him and bring him back home and to let him know that we love him and we want him to come back."

Couric asked van Dam how she became involved in Jahi's case and why she contacted Jones.

"The reason I reached out to Tameka is that I know all too well what she's feeling inside," van Dam said. "Having just gone through it, I wanted to help her in any way I could -- moral support -- absolutely anything I can do for her to help her get through this. And one of the things I told her was the importance of coming in front of the cameras and asking for help, and staying strong and never giving up hope. "

427 posted on 04/30/2002 10:27:18 AM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: FresnoDA
Note: They seem to have dropped the porn charge. Now just murder.
428 posted on 04/30/2002 10:28:08 AM PDT by MizSterious
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To: MizSterious

Tameka Jones and Brenda van DamIn the case of Jahi Turner, they made the whole house a crime scene--the family had to stay in a hotel! So why the different treatment for the van Dams?

Why the different treatment of the Turner's vs. the VD's???  It is easy, the answer is Black and White.....SDPD has some big time 'splaining to do, IMO.....


429 posted on 04/30/2002 10:30:01 AM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: MizSterious

One other point....

Is Brenda "helping" the Turner's because of her extensive experience in the Child Advocacy industry?  Or...is she scoping a potential SWING SET player....one has to wonder....

The VD's have ZERO credibility.  This is a Susan W. PR scheme, all the way.....


Brenda Van Dam, Mom Speak Out About Missing Boy

Brenda Van Dam Offers Support

Posted: 7:44 a.m. PDT April 30, 2002
Updated: 10:27 a.m. PDT April 30, 2002
SAN DIEGO -- The mother of missing 2-year-old Jahi Turner spoke out Tuesday with Brenda van Dam by her side.
Video
alt
Brenda van Dam, Tameka Jones
Video Hear From Mother, Brenda van Dam
alt
alt

Tameka Jones, 18, urged the public to help find her son. "He's a really sweet child. If you know anything, please help bring him home," Jones said.

Van Dam said her wanted to offer support to the young mother.

"The first and most important thing I told Tameka was to come in front of the camera and to ask for help and to ask whoever has her baby to let him go and take him to a safe place. I told her to be strong and to never give up hope," van Dam said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of volunteers continue to help search for the little boy.

Teams of volunteers and police officers spent Monday scouring near the park where Jahi was last seen on foot and horseback, while sheriff's crews combed areas around the nearby apartment complex where the boy's family lives.

Earlier in the day, authorities announced that they had managed to track down a woman who reportedly was in the company of Jahi in the minutes before he disappeared.

"We have spoken with her and will be speaking with her again," San Diego police information officer Dave Cohen said. "We will not discuss how we located her or what she may have told us."

Jahi has been missing since Thursday. Jahi's stepfather said he left the boy while walking a few hundred yards to get a soda at a vending machine.

step-dad

When Tieray Jones (pictured, right), 23, returned about 15 minutes later, his stepson was gone. Police encouraged the same kind of public awareness about Jahi's disappearance as that generated by Danielle van Dam's fatal kidnapping.

"What we are asking people to do at this point is to be aware of the child's picture," Cohen said, referring to snapshots that have been widely disseminated by news media. "If you see anything, please give us a call."

Police also set up a "citizen access phone system" line at (619) 570-1070 to provide updates and volunteer coordination.

Jahi is a light-skinned African-American, about 30 inches tall and weighing 30 pounds.

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue, long-sleeve T- shirt with a rendering of the "Winnie the Pooh" cartoon character on it, blue nylon pants with an orange drawstring and gray tennis shoes.

Officials urged anyone with information in the case to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers' anonymous tip line at (619) 235-8477 or SDPD communications at (619) 531-2000.

Informants could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Photographs of Jahi and information about the ongoing search are available at a Web site -- DanielleMissing.tripod.com -- that the van Dams set up after their daughter disappeared.

As in the weeks of uncertainty over Danielle's fate, investigations into Jahi's abduction turn increasingly somber as the passing hours mount in the wake of his disappearance, Cohen acknowledged.

"The longer we go before finding him, the more concerned we are that we are (not) going to find him well," he said. "But we never give up hope that we're going to find him well. That's the premise that we have to operate on."


430 posted on 04/30/2002 10:34:47 AM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: FresnoDA,Jaded,MizSterious,~Kim4VRWC's~,spectre
You all are going to think I am totally nuts. Maybe I am.

But I have figured out a new suspect. I knew there was something pinging at my brain, telling me there was some dots that only needed a line between them.

Name the person that:
Knew the VD's very well.
Had possibly been involved in garage parties or overnight stays
Was SUPPOSED to meet up with BVD at Dad's that night !
Was immediately involved in the search for Danielle
Was the overseer of the funds being donated!

As FresnoDA posted in commentary by Rick Roberts, BVD may have 'done' someone in Dad's parking lot. It wasn't DW, it wasn't Keith or Rich, they were with the other 2 women. So WHO COULD IT HAVE BEEN. (if she did).

Maybe she went to the parking lot and he was already gone. (got tired of waiting). Maybe he headed straight to the VD household. (Remember, Brenda still had to pull her vehicle up to Dad's, pick up the 2 women, head for home, turn back around and go back to Dad's to retrieve some cigarettes ((oh, yeah, a bar is closing and they will let you back in to get a pack of cigarettes, yeah.. right)), then head back for the VD house again.

OK TIME FOR NAME THAT PERSON !

431 posted on 04/30/2002 10:35:46 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: MizSterious
And kidnapping. What happens to DX?
432 posted on 04/30/2002 10:39:58 AM PDT by Jaded
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To: FresnoDA
Why the different treatment of the Turner's vs. the VD's??? It is easy, the answer is Black and White.....SDPD has some big time 'splaining to do, IMO.....

I had similar thoughts. Where is the outpouring of the community too? This whole thing makes me sick !!!!!!!

It makes me even sicker that Brenda van Dam will take any opportunity to get her mug on camera. If she is now the poster child for missing and exploited children, we have truly hit bottom.

433 posted on 04/30/2002 10:40:46 AM PDT by Southflanknorthpawsis
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To: UCANSEE2
Bill Libby, do I win a prize??
434 posted on 04/30/2002 10:44:15 AM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: FresnoDA
AND, if your best friend molests your daughter and somehow kills her and you help get rid of the body, you get what's behind DOOR #1 ,

I'm serious, FresnoDA, someone needs to look into why this person was 'supposed' to meet Brenda at Dad's, as well as DW. And why he didn't or where did he go. (Maybe he got upset because DW was there buying drinks for everyone.)

435 posted on 04/30/2002 10:47:07 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: FresnoDA
Bill Libby, do I win a prize??

YES. Now that you have the answer, what is the question ?

436 posted on 04/30/2002 10:49:56 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: UCANSEE2
I will take Degenerate Swingers from Poway for $1000 Alex....
437 posted on 04/30/2002 10:52:23 AM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: Southflanknorthpawsis
And what about her other two children? Don't they need more time with their mother at a time like this? But no, she's off playing the part of John Walsh in drag.
438 posted on 04/30/2002 11:01:01 AM PDT by MizSterious
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To: FresnoDa
Other items to consider:

BL's wife was 'gone' for the weekend.
DVD and BL's original plans got changed (yeah, big time. Now they had a body to get rid of before going snowboarding).

Other seeming coincidences: This person ,Sara Muller Fraunces, and her links to Bill Libby, the Danielle Recovery Center.

439 posted on 04/30/2002 11:13:07 AM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: MizSterious
But no, she's off playing the part of John Walsh in drag.

ROFL !!!! Sad but true.

Her other two children are probably off shopping by themselves at the mall. They probably need to find another birthday present or something at the toy store.

440 posted on 04/30/2002 11:22:08 AM PDT by Southflanknorthpawsis
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