Posted on 07/22/2002 3:02:31 PM PDT by FresnoDA
Westerfield's trial had been in recess since July 11 so the judge could take a previously scheduled vacation.
Westerfield, 50, lived two doors from Danielle, who vanished after her father put her to bed the night of Feb. 1. Searchers found the girl's nude body on Feb. 27 along a rural roadside east of San Diego.
A forensic entomologist, testifying Monday for the defense, said Danielle's body could not have been dumped at the roadside before Feb. 12, according to his analysis of flies and larvae collected during an autopsy. The blow flies that were found on the body typically descend on a cadaver shortly after death, but it can take longer in cooler temperatures, entomologist Neal Haskell said. Based on his analysis of the temperatures in the area at the time, Haskell (pictured, right) put "the time of colonization" likely at Feb. 14 and no earlier than Feb. 12.
Prosecutors challenged the defense's weather data.
Haskell's testimony puts the time the body may have been dumped several days earlier than suggested by a previous defense witness, entomologist David Faulkner. The defense has seized upon the time of death, which could not be precisely determined, to suggest that the body was dumped at a time when Westerfield was under constant police surveillance.
Westerfield was put under observation soon after Danielle disappeared, according to police testimony. He was arrested on Feb. 22.
During Haskell's testimony about insects devouring Danielle's body, the girl's parents, Brenda and Damon van Dam, stared at the floor as they sat in the back row of the courtroom. It is the first time that Damon van Dam has been in court since Judge William Mudd banned him from the proceedings almost a month ago as a security risk. Mudd restored his trial privileges just before going on vacation.
Lawyers for Westerfield have said they expect to offer two to three more days of testimony.
I heard a guy from Hawaii was called to testify yesteday on one of these threads. I was searching for bug info and ran into a bug guy from Hawaii. I posted a question to posters what the bug guys name was and was told it was Goff. The name matched. Maybe I got something wrong.
As I said, I don't know for sure there was one. Dusek asked about what kind of things were at the Dehesa Rd site that were dumped, things like a FRIG ?
Who knows? Maybe you're right. I have heard nothing of that and understood that rebuttal witnesses were just being discussed with the judge today.
Speculation often turns out to be a big nothing. We shall see.
More like if in fact David Westerfield is guilty - then prove it with motive, evidence and fact. Not because he "was creepy" or left his hose unrolled or took a "wild weekend trip" (My husband and I have been known to do that on occassion - just drive wherever the wind blows, and end up where we end up)
The focus on Westerfield to the complete neglect of any other possible suspect and all other possible evidence seems just a little too focused. especially after there was evidence (latent prints) of a yet unidentified person in the VanDam Home.
Unless he give a logical reason its a waste of time. He will need to point out something both missed and show that had they knew it they would have made same conclusion he is.
Remember that it's very likely that not one juror knows anything of the scienc beyond what they are hearing in the courtroom.
Goff appears to be able to put stuff in lay terms, his book is proof of that.
Lastly, do not forget that Feldman doesn't make the big bucks for nothing. This is his thing. For all you know he may damage Goff pretty well and may highlight the prosecution's depseration in the process.
I don't see how the prosecution can avoid explaining the date of death stuff. If it were not explained to me I would see to it I were in a hung jury.
Do not forget that Faulkner was HIRED BY THE PROSECUTION.
OK.
It is reasonable to assume that all the jurors don't see all evidence and experts the same. You act as if each will see it through your eyes. That's an unwise assumption, to say the least.
I don;t know that the evidence will be. I'm speculating. My guess so far is that he will show why the process was slower in this case based on the weather conditions.
All we need to do to be reminded of poor decisions on Dusek's part is to think back on 180-Frank. I'm putting my money on Feldman's experts (one of which reported first to Dusek & Co.) looking best in the end.
Don't know what your refering to.
I know it may look like that to you because I am asking the defense to prove something to me but that request is secondary.
I didn't start assuming anything. I formed my opinion that Danielle was in the RV just prior to her death based on the evidence presented from reading these threads for the first time yesterday. Since then I ahve asked loads of questions and have gotten more informaton about physical evidence that further connects Westerfield. From the camp that believes he is innocenct I mostly got diversions and alternate theories with no basis in facts.
With that opinion based on the evidence, I have conluded that Danielle was in the RV before she was killed. Unless the defense can provide a reasonable rebuttle then I will continue my opinion.
Here is an example: I am shown a movie of murder in process. Someone shoots another. I have been given evidence that a murder took place. Unless I am given some alternate explanation of the movie then I am only left with my original conclusion.
180-Frank is the cadaver dog guy who was an absolute disaster for Jeff Dusek. He was caught in a web of lies and misrepresentations.
If Goff tries to tear apart Feldman's experts, I expect Feldman to neutralize him in short order. My guess is that Feldman runs circles around Doofus in this area.
NO.YES.
So you do live in a desert ? It doesn't matter what the name is. It only matters what the temp and humidity reading were I believe.
NO.YES.
I assume the toxicology on Danielle was negative...can you provide a reference link?
A frig to store the body ? Wouldn't that have remains on it ?
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