( 05-30-2002 ) - A jury of six men and six women has just been selected in the David A. Westerfield murder trial on this third day of questioning.
More than 30 prospective jurors returned to Judge William Mudd's courtroom this afternoon, with prosecutors and defense attorneys again focusing their queries on the death penalty.
"This is the most important part of the case ... it's true," defense attorney Steven Feldman told the first potential juror of the morning. "This is going to be an extraordinary life experience."
Westerfield, a 50-year-old Sabre Springs resident, is accused of kidnapping and killing neighbor Danielle van Dam and dumping the 7-year-old's body in the East County.
Before jury selection began, Mudd ruled that jurors will hear only limited information on the "swinging" lifestyle of the victim's parents.
The jury also will be allowed to view certain pornographic images that investigators say they found on Westerfield's computer, and they will hear statements he made to police the day he became a suspect, the judge ruled.
Prosecutors contend the computer images prove Westerfield's motive was to sexually molest the victim after he allegedly took her from her home the night of February 1.
The victim's blood, hair and fingerprints were found in Westerfield's motorhome, prosecutors said.
Westerfield, under police surveillance since February 4, was arrested February 22. He has insisted on a "speedy" trial as the law guarantees, which is one within 60 days of his Superior Court arraignment.
Jury Selected for Westerfield Trial
A jury of six men and six women has just been empanelled in the David A. Westerfield murder trial on this third day of questioning.
More than 30 prospective jurors returned to Judge William Mudd's courtroom this afternoon, with prosecutors and defense attorneys again focusing their queries on the death penalty.
"This is the most important part of the case ... it's true," defense attorney Steven Feldman told the first potential juror of the morning. "This is going to be an extraordinary life experience."
Westerfield, a 50-year-old Sabre Springs resident, is accused of kidnapping and killing neighbor Danielle van Dam and dumping the 7-year-old's body in the East County.
Before jury selection began, Mudd ruled that jurors will hear only limited information on the "swinging" lifestyle of the victim's parents.
The jury also will be allowed to view certain pornographic images that investigators say they found on Westerfield's computer, and they will hear statements he made to police the day he became a suspect, the judge ruled.
Prosecutors contend the computer images prove Westerfield's motive was to sexually molest the victim after he allegedly took her from her home the night of February 1.
The victim's blood, hair and fingerprints were found in Westerfield's motorhome, prosecutors said.
Westerfield, under police surveillance since February 4, was arrested February 22. He has insisted on a "speedy" trial as the law guarantees, which is one within 60 days of his Superior Court arraignment.
Opening statements in the Westerfield murder trial are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. next Tuesday.
34 posted on 05/30/2002 3:13:06 PM PDT by FresnoDA
