http://www.kfmb.com/topstory.php?storyID=8134
(04-25-2002) - Prosecutors said Thursday they will seek the death penalty against David Westerfield, the neighbor accused of kidnapping and murdering seven-year-old Danielle van Dam.Westerfield, 50, is set for trial May 17.
During a court hearing, prosecutor Jeff Dusek said the decision to seek the death penalty had been made "after full and careful consideration.''
Prosecutors filed a statement detailing their reasons, but a judge ordered the document sealed. Lawyers in the case are under a gag order.
Westerfield's lawyers are pressing for speedy trial even though such serious cases usually require several months of legal preparation.
"I've never heard of a death penalty case in this or any other community going in 60 days,'' Superior Court Judge William Mudd said