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".

[theirjustdue]

If you were abducting Danielle from UPSTAIRS, why would you be looking downstairs to see if the coast was clear? Wouldn't the people you feared would see you be upstairs? I would assume that this was after everyone had gone to bed.

If you were on your way out with Danielle, you would likely have already assured yourself the upstairs hall etc. was clear and would be checking a route ahead of you.

That being said, I'm not fully convinced she was stealthily taken from her room in the first place, but if she was, it could explain the position of the hands on the rail.

Please feel free to jump in with another possible explanation of the hand positions.

I know I'm certainly open to other possible scenarios.

[mommya]

So there was the unidentified print on the stair rail and one on the garage door (the one to the outside or to the house?) I wonder if these two prints can be matched to each other?
Does unidentified mean that they were good prints that could be matched - and not smeared or something - so as to never be able to identify it?
I can't imagine that I have any unidentifiable prints in my house. If my child's life was at stake - I'm sure I could come up with the names and wherabouts of every person who's had access to or has been in my house ever - at least within the past few years - and certainly within the past 6 months or 1 year - which seems to me a realistic amount of time to be concerned with regarding fingerprints ( I don't think prints would stick around forever on a hand rail - do you?) How come those prints aren't ID'd - it's just strange.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I really miss a lot of little details since I have many interruptions throughout the day. I need to find the time to read the transcripts.

[UCANSEE2]

I assume that was from "M". I think that what she says is something we all keep forgetting. We keep wondering why they don't say what each piece of evidence means to the case, because we are in a hurry to find out.

I am going to repeat to myself "patience is a virtue". Probably won't help, but heck, I am trying.

And Thank You Valpal1.

[Politicalmom]

I yelled at my DH for making a stupid comment based on no facts whatsoever. Amazingly, he had no idea I was so into this trial. Do you think maybe we should talk more? lol

[Karson]

Was the unID'd print on the bannister a clear print that could not be matched to anyone or a smeared, or otherwise unclear, print that may or may not match any of the persons involved?

Unless I'm mistaken, he said it was a palm print that does not match any "known" print. He didn't say it was smeared... just could not ID it.

[UCANSEE2]

Did they check to see if the handprints on the rail matched BILL LIBBY ?

[Jaded]

It was on the outside of the slider. You are correct.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Do you think maybe we should talk more? lol

Yep. It's all about communication....hehehehehe

[mommya]

Could they tell by the size of the prints whether they were made by an adult or a child?

[Valpal1]

Even though you came up with the name of every possible person who had ever been in your home, there could still be unknown prints. An anonymous construction worker/painter/carpent installer. I'm not sure they would or could track down everyone you could name either.

[UCANSEE2]

Sorry, that was a rhetorical question again.

Let me start over.

It would be interesting if the prints on the handrail matched BILL LIBBY.

It would be interesting to know if Brenda or Damon would admit whether he had been in the house Thursday, or Friday, at any time.

Other than the partiers, I believe he was the only other non-family member that was scheduled/rumored to be in the VD house either Thursday or Friday.

[theirjustdue]

" I don't think prints would stick around forever on a hand rail - do you?

An excellent point mommya. And that's under normal conditions, but if you've ever watched children around a handrail, you would likely have seen them, not necessarily sliding, but running their hands down the handrail. I know my grandson's can't resist it.

[Karson]

Please feel free to jump in with another possible explanation of the hand positions. .......I know I'm certainly open to other possible scenarios.

Same here. To all who live in a house with stairs, get up out of your chairs right now, walk upstairs and see if you can figure out a different scenario. Oh, and be sure to hurry back and tell us what you think. :)

[Valpal1]

oops, whacked her name off in a too hasty cut-n-paste.

[Rheo]

That's how he ruled out DW as making the lower bannister print...no whirl and wrong size.

[dread78645]

It was described as sort of upside-down. It was exactly opposite of what it should be if heading that direction on the stairs.

Hhmm ? Any idea of right-/left-handedness ?

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

It was on the outside of the slider. You are correct.

Well I trust your ears. I strain to catch everything and still miss it or confuse it.

In defense of myself....I have 6 children here all day from age 5 months to 3 years. It can be a little hectic and they need a lot of my attention.

[Karson]

Thanks for confirming that for me. I missed so much of the testimony today, I hesitate to say anything for sure.

[Valpal1]

Does any one have a list of who the known prints were taken from, beside DW, the VD family, the party guests and the two teen girls?