2nd Bug Expert Bolsters Westerfield Defense: (Dusek Melting Down Before Juries Eyes!!)

NBC/San Diego ^ | July 22, 2002 | NBC/San Diego

[FresnoDA]

2nd Bug Expert Bolsters Westerfield Defense

Expert Says Fly Infestations Show When Danielle's Body Was Dumped

 

POSTED: 6:58 a.m. PDT July 22, 2002

UPDATED: 2:28 p.m. PDT July 22, 2002

 

SAN DIEGO -- The trial of David Westerfield resumed Monday with more testimony about insects, as defense lawyers tried to show that their client was not the person who dumped Danielle van Dam's body along a two-lane road in East County.

Before testimony began, Judge William Mudd warned jurors to ignore last week's murder of a young girl in nearby Orange County. Mudd said that the abduction, sexual assault and murder of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion "bears no relation" to the trial of David Westerfield.

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.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Another Van-Damned-if-I-Know alert. They are coming from nowhere, but they know everything.

[UCANSEE2]

If I'm not spitting or bleeding, do not shed any hair of anykind and are wearing gloves what evidence am I going to leave behind??

That is precisely why most crooks get caught.

[cyncooper]

Gee, the Dream Team said a gang of drug dealers killed Nicole and Ron because her friend was on drugs, therefore............!

Oh, I forgot about that part of the defense!

Remember the police used a blanket from Nicole's house to cover her up and Cochran argued that by spreading it out over her DNA and hair floated all over the crime scene, including on Ron Goldman. Ah, memories....

[fatima]

Dear Poohbah,you have now enter into The Twilight Zone where most posters thing he is not guilty,that's right poohbah ,but rest assured there are a few that thing this man had porn,blood of the girl and have questions,but the twilight thread think's we are crazy.

[demsux]

Westerfield denied dancing with Brenda who "wasn't his type".

You are so wrong, it's unbelievable...are you Paul Begala??? Carville????

[Travis McGee]

I think you mixed up your cutnpaste quote from someone else, but that's okay.

If he's proven not guilty fine. They just have to explain away the DNA, fingerprints, fibers, kiddie porn, RV journey, laundry etc etc.

Against all that you have the paid bug men. Good grief.

[Greg Weston]

>>>Enough fingerprints, DNA, fibers, laundry receipts etc could fit in a thimble to prove a dozen murders.<<<

Got that right.

[Dave_in_Upland]

Isn't it funny that those of us in SD who are getting 5X more info than you have come to the conclusion that DW is guilty as sin? Gee, it must comfort you, (tons of physical evidence aside) to be defending someone with THOUSANDS of (cataloged and titled and sorted into personal files) porno images on his computer, focusing on KIDDIE PORN and actual VIOLENT CHILD RAPE VIDEOS.

Evididently that 5X is mostly wrong LOL With every post you make you prove that you actually know less and less about the actual evidence.

[demsux]

Is Luis here tonight?????

[UCANSEE2]

That is absolutely AMAZING, TM. Funny that's not in the transcripts. The transcripts are on the UT site. Read them.

Why go with the actual testimony when you have the SD newspapers, Court TV, Rick Rivers and Tiny Drip to tell you what to think? Facts, who needs FACTS ???????

:)

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

think's we are crazy.

Not necessarily, but it really helps when you attempt to put others down if you can spell, punctuate and use proper grammar. Otherwise, it looks like a second grader got a hold of the keyboard.

[Rattlins]

Good Question, a dead body, enclosed, like in his motorhome
only needs 30 hours before the stench becomes unberable.
Even a rat, (small amount of tissue) will drive you out of your home in 24 hours! Try a Racoon if you like?

[Greg Weston]

It's right from Westerfield's interview with the cops. Want me to post it?

[Freedom2specul8]

How much do you want to bet that expert fiber witnesses are trained to never say "exact match"?

But the prosecution did in opening statement. He knew what the fiber witnesses would say ahead of time. We, the people and the jury need to know the reason for the difference in language. I would highly recommend someone involved in the case to explain..whether it be the judge, feldie or dusek.

[Rheo]

That first paid bug man was hired by the prosecution..if his findings would have supported the state's case instead..would he still just be a paid bug man or would he have credibility in your eyes?

[Spunky]

Westerfield denied dancing with Brenda who "wasn't his type".

Do you hear voices the rest of us don't hear?

[demsux]

YES...and, if you do, I will be very impressed. You have never sourced one thing on any of these threads. It's like golf...you make this one and I'll give you the easy one's next time.

[Travis McGee]

It's kind of hard to put the actual sealed evidence violent child rape video clips onto a typed transcript. I know that is hard for you to understand, but take some time and think about it.

But several courtroom reporters who saw every image the jurors saw said they did include violent child rape images and videos. Are they all lying?

And they said the jurors were DESTROYED, shocked and in tears, and do not even look at DW since then.

How many of YOUR friends collect violent child rape video clips?

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Against all that you have the paid bug men.

Guess what, Travis? The DNA experts made 46K for their part. I guess that makes them tainted too?

[UCANSEE2]

Like all of the rest, Why don't you read the transcripts or at least listen to the testimony and be sure of your facts before you go around making a COMPLETE IDIOT of yourself.

DW told police HE DANCED WITH BRENDA and HER FRIENDS.

BRENDA told POLICE SHE DIDN'T DANCE with DW AT ALL.

BRenda is the one that lied, not DW.

I am sorry you can't seem to keep the facts straight. This is the TESTIMONY, not some Hype you heard on TV or somewhere else.