WESTERFIELD TRIAL: Week Three - Day Four

San Diego Courtroom Trial | none

[NatureGirl]

Here's the new thread, all ready for Thursday.

Testimony recently discussed includes fingerprint evidence, as well as Westerfield's clean laundry. The Van Dam home was (strangely) devoid of fingerprints, except for a couple of latents that didn't match any of the pizza party people or, apparently, David Westerfield.

Westerfield's motorhome didn't contain any of his fingerprints, but did have one print from Danielle L. (the daughter of Westerfield's ex-girlfriend), Jennifer (a friend of Danielle L.), and a partial from Danielle Van Dam.

The prosecution said yesterday that they would be finished "in seven court days".

[Rheo]

Feldman...tested for semen where you would most think semen would be....he tested where he was told to by supervisor.....subject to recall

[Rheo]

Annette Peer..she tested MH for blood

[winodog]

The fact that the VD's lied to the police about stuff when first questioned, the stories about the alarm being on twice, shutting the door to Daniles room, not checking on her till 9:00? the next morning,no fingerprints of Daniles in her room? and a bunch of other stuff I dont recall leads me to believe that even if DW did murder her, there is more to this story.

I always have looked in on the kids, it is just a habit. I dunno why I do it but I check on em when I wake up. If I found a door open that was not supposed to be open there would be some serious house searching.

I bet anything that the defense will have a very interesting tale to tell.

I also bet that DW will not tell the full story, just enough to keep his ass out of jail. DVD did something that night that he does not want anyone to know about IMHO.

[spectre]

Good show, DL.

I wish our Commander would reply to us, even if it's what we don't want to hear...sigh.

sw

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

FWIW:

Attorney/Commentator on local coverage had a fit about the Polaroid use. He has been leaning toward the prosecution side up to this point.

He said it was highly, highly unusual and wrong to not use a 35mm camera for such evidence records. The Polaroid is used for backup only in case film is damaged, etc.

I have to wonder why any kind of negligence or out of the ordinary carelessness would have occurred in this case.. They knew of the defense capabilities and the national attention. One would think that in this case, more so than others, they would have been overly cautious.

As I said.....the attorney commentator really reacted to this and said it was a very big deal and serious mistake.

[Rheo]

to clarify prints in Danielles room.....hers and DVD's were found on some items....will have to check and verify as to where...believe door, desk and dresser.......if wrong...please correct me.

[mommya]

I can't believe that in this day and age polaroid camera's would still be used like that - that's lame - maybe take a polaroid first - as a back-up and to keep with your notes - but always a 35mm or better. Why didn't he use the 35mm he had access to - especially since he was apparantly aware of the magnitude of this case?

[Rheo]

I guess they forgot to cover that in their special procedures meetings, specifically for the handling of items for this case.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

LOL.....See post #285. GMTA !!!!

[Rheo]

Still doing background on Annette Peer

[cyncooper]

See #286, please. I intend to look up the testimony later but Rheo who has faithfully kept the running notes going verifies that Danielle's prints were found.

[mommya]

ahh - I was posting as you were - it does seem strange - wonder what this guy's habits were in that regard?

[cyncooper]

Re: the camera. I don't see it as big deal as long as the jacket is still around and the material that was cut out with the stains.

[Donzerly lights]

missed which stain was 4 mm..which equal under 3/16 of an inch...someone verify that is what I heard...trying to watch, listen and keep up..argg

You mean you're NOT a court reporter?! Thank you for a great job.

[Rheo]

in PH...she testified that 19 possible spots were found in MH...phenylthaline test, not Hemastix, was performed...3 spots tested positive......1/4 inch in diameter on carpet, curtain on drivers side cab and corner of bedspread

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

It sure does seem strange.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I don't see it as big deal as long as the jacket is still around and the material that was cut out with the stains.

Well since I am not an attorney, I depend on listening to their experience and giving it some attention. The attorney on local coverage carried on and on about it. He said it was a very big deal. He has been mostly praising the prosecution all along, so I heeded even closer.

[Rheo]

She examined DW home...2/5 at 2:35am-2:55am...departed in afternoon 2/5...about 12 hours....looking for fluids....then went to MH at 1550 hrs on 2/5

[meadsjn]

phenylthaline test, not Hemastix, was performed...3 spots tested positive

Does "tested positive" mean simply that the spot was some blood, or that it was identified by source?

[Rheo]

exterior for trace...then entered...brief walkthru on 2/5..her, LeAcupala, Holmes....that is it for 5th....On 2/6...MH was now at impound...LeAc.Delaney, Tomsovic....2 evid kits..chemicals for presumptive tests..poly light (high intensity light source)....located numerous stained areas, red, brown...19 areas....of 19, 3 gave positive test results.