EXPERT LINKS PORN TO WESTERFIELD'S SON!: (Feldman's Message To "The Damon"; Don't Leave Town!)

KNSD NBC ^ | July 3, 2002 | KNBC

[FresnoDA]

Expert Links Porn Images To Westerfield's Son

Defense Hopes To Show Child Porn Wasn't Downloaded By Defendant

 

POSTED: 12:15 p.m. PDT July 3, 2002

UPDATED: 2:55 p.m. PDT July 3, 2002

 

SAN DIEGO -- A computer expert hired by David Westerfield's defense team said that at least some of the pornography seized from his home was downloaded by the defendant's son.

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Marcus Lawson (pictured, right), president of Global CompuSearch of Spokane, Wash., testified Wednesday that he found two photographs of naked women and Japanese "anime" computer animations on the hard drive of a Gateway computer in an upstairs bedroom used by Westerfield's 18-year-old son, David Neal Westerfield. The former Customs Service agent said that a detailed analysis of the files showed the pornography was downloaded at about the same time someone was accessing an email account belonging to the younger Westerfield.

David A. Westerfield, 50, is charged with kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Danielle van Dam. He is also charged with misdemeanor possession of child pornography. Prosecutors have said the 80 or so images of child pornography taken from Westerfield's home indicate sexual interest in children.Defense attorneys are trying to show that the defendant is not responsible for the pornographic images -- including those of young children -- found on his computer equipment.

David A. Westerfield, a 50-year-old self-employed design engineer, is on trial for the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

Lawson told jurors that he examined copies of hard drives, zip disks and compact disks made by police and took numerous screen captures -- essentially photographs of what came up on the computer monitor at a given time.

Defense attorney Steven Feldman asked Lawson if there was a theme to the animations.

"A considerable number of the screen prints showed bondage -- where women were tied in ropes," Lawson said.

A screen print of an e-mail to a DNWesthotmail.com, as quoted by Lawson, said: "Thanks for joining anime.com."

Lawson also confirmed screen prints the defense entered into evidence last week, that a computer in the office of Westerfield's house was used to access pornography on Feb. 4 at 4:47 p.m., when the defendant was busy with detectives.

Feldman mentioned last week's suggestion that the clock on the computer may have been doctored.

"Did you see any evidence that that happened on any of the computers you examined?" Feldman asked.

"No, I did not," Lawson answered. He said there's usually signs when a clock has been tampered with, such as files being accessed before they were created. Nothing like that was apparent on Westerfield's computers, he said.

Tuesday, San Diego police Detective Johnny Keene testified that he collected Westerfield from his Sabre Springs home that Monday around 3:40 p.m. and took him to the Northeastern substation in Rancho Penasquitos. The defendant remained there until approximately 11:30 p.m.

[Rheo]

I'm thinking now that the searchers comments were from media articles I read....don't recall searchers testifying.??

[nycgal]

I seem to recall hearing it on CTV...

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who heard it

It's amazing to see the holes in the testimony. Just what DID the SDPD think they had on him at the time of arrest, and I don't mean that as a rhetorical question. :-)

Putting on my tinfoil hat, suppose that someone in power with connections to SDPD or the DA's office, and the swing setters did enough evidence planting so that they could legitimately have grounds for arresting DW, knowing who the actual murderer was but forced to do so to cover up their activities. Sorry for the runon sentence :-)

I wouldn't be surprised if some ethical cop slipped Feldman's name to him out of disgust!

I believe that's exactly what happened.

[hoosiermama]

Bomb Threat at LAX according to Adam Housley on FNC at 11:36 EDT
News trucks were evacuated.... reports are that the 52 yr old suspect, whose ethnicity has still not been confirmed, parked his car in a suspicious manner which indicates there might be a bomb....

[hoosiermama]

Oops posted on wrong threat!LOL Night folks

[Karson]

I'm thinking now that the searchers comments were from media articles I read....don't recall searchers testifying.??

Chris (don't remember last name) was the one who actually located her body and I can't remember the other searcher's name. One of the first 2 witnesses to testify.

[nycgal]

Karsten Heinberger(?)

[Karson]

Karsten Heinberger(?)

Yeah, something like that. Do you remember Chris's last name?

[Rheo]

Thank you both....gee..off to read more transcripts later.

[Rheo]

Chris Morgan and Karsten Heimburger

[Rheo]

They testified on June 4

[Rheo]

Chris and Karston were friends....this was Karston's first time out on a search...Chris had called him to go.

[Karson]

Yep, that's them. I'm too tired from celebrating -- wholesome family style stuff -- to look it up. Hope everybody had a nice 4th of July.

[Rheo]

It's raining here..surprise surprise..

A. WE WERE TOLD TO LOOK FOR ITEMS THAT COULD POSSIBLY

25 BE SOMETHING FROM DANIELLE OR DANIELLE'S BELONGINGS. I THINK I

26 RECALLED HEARING THEM SAY SOMETHING ABOUT A BLUE BLANKET

[pinz-n-needlez]

I seem to recall that they were on the stand during the first or second day. One of them talked about taking photographs, but then said that he turned the photos (or the film?) over to the cops.

They were pretty creepy, IMO, no pun intended.

I wish I could get through the transcripts, as you do so admirably :-) but too much life is careening around here.

[pinz-n-needlez]

swing setters did enough evidence planting so that they could legitimately have grounds for arresting DW

I've wondered several times if all that orange fiber couldn't have something to do with what you're speculating here.

DW just didn't seem to try to hide the stuff that came to bite him in the butt. And he was so trusting of LE when guilt should have made him clam up, if he had done it.

There are only two drops of blood and a hair in the MH. But if someone was planting evidence, wouldn't they feel compelled to be a bit more obvious? Like the orange fibers. And Dusek never did explain why they should be connected, did he?

[Rheo]

Didn't turn them over to the cops but the DA:

I THOUGHT MAYBE MY PHOTOS COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE OR COULD POSSIBLY BE CONSIDERED SOMETHING THAT'S HELPFUL. SO I CALLED THE D. A.

Q: DID YOU TURN THEM OVER TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE?

A: NO. HE SHOWED UP AT MY HOUSE I BELIEVE. BUT FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, YES

[pinz-n-needlez]

Don't suppose it would have been the "X" of one of BVD friends do you?

Are you suggesting the cop who has the same former name of Barb, who may be her ex?

If that were so, it would explain a lot wouldn't it?

Like how the cops found out about the partying on Friday night, why the Prosecution wouldn't put Barb on the the stand, and why LE had to find a patsy - and quick! All of this is speculation,I don't know that such a connection exists. But it would explain a lot of riddles.

[Jaded]

Well if he'd had a hose, they'da arrested him on the spot.

[pinz-n-needlez]

Door-to-door service, eh?

[Angelique]

First, I love your screen name. Second, I have been trying to follow the case because it is so sad. Polly Claus got a whole lot more, and perhaps I am prejudiced against the parent's behavior. It is so difficult to understand why the parents would be so selfish.

I know you guys know the case well, but I was just answering a post. I hope trial will bring justice. What is your opinion of the judge? It can make a huge difference.