VAN DAM MURDER VERDICT [VERDICT IN: GUILTY!]

ABC radio

[wallcrawlr]

I just heard this at noon.

[js1138]

The defense lawyer has to try to convince the Superior Court Judges that something went wrong in the original trial and that is why a guilty verdict was found.

The jury has decided the facts of the case. The appeal can only question whether the evidence was legally obtained and the trial properly conducted.

[PrairieDawg]

Sigh. Have you actually been following the trial? Or are you just restating what Nancy Grace told you today?

There are holes big enough to drive Mack Trucks through in the prosecutions' case. Included in the items that haven't been shown are:

1. Motive
2. Ability to dispose of body (all bug forensic guys said Danielle's body was put there *after* police started watching Westerfield 24x7
3. Evidence that he was in the house. Ever.

If it can't be shown that he was in the house, that he couldn't have disposed of the body, and that he showed no signs of motive (it was shown in the trial that Westerfield liked *adult* women) then how is it that he was convicted? Simple - thread and DNA evidence. What the defense failed to show was this:

1. That the thread evidence could have been via cross-contamination.
2. That the DNA evidence (hair) could have come from the mother (who was shown to been bumping and grinding on the dance floor with Westerfield in a bar).
3. That Danielle could well have gotten in the moter home and played previously w/out Westerfields' knowledge.

Let's see what happens on appeal - so far this is a travesty, IMHO.

[P-Marlowe]

It is SO UPSETTING....I cannot cheer...I just can't.

He never submitted to a lie detector test. He had the child's blood on his clothes. He enjoyed watching little girls get raped on his computer. He didn't take the stand in his own defense.

He's guilty as sin. It is time to rejoice. Justice has been done. All that is left is for the pervert to get a needle. I can't wait.... I just cant.

[homeschool mama]

bump...well said.

[Coop]

the jury is going to send a man to his death.

A jury that took a long, hard look at more evidence than you or I dug up on FR or elsewhere on the 'Net.

[Coop]

the jury is going to send a man to his death.

A jury that took a long, hard look at more evidence than you or I dug up on FR or elsewhere on the 'Net.

[Freedom2specul8]

I pray God's will be done as well AG.. I have tremendous empathy and sympathy for parents who have to suffer the loss of their child...

[connectthedots]

I am sick at this verdict.

So am I. There is no rational basis for this verdict. I am not saying DW couldn't have been involved in Danielle's death, but the evidence just isn't there. This verdict is a travesty and based on nothing more than emotion.

How could they possibly convict DW of kidnapping? Where is the evidence of it? There seem to be a number of grounds on which to base an appeal, and I pray that the verdict is overturned and DW is at least given a new trial.

There should now be no doubt in anyone's mind that you never, ever, talk to the cops without a lawyer. If they don't have a subpoena or a warrant, tell them to immediately get off of your property or you will charge them with trespassing.

I think DW will get a new trial, and I don't think he will have any problem getting legal help for the appeal.

[Slip18]

In the penalty phase, he'll be referred to as "The Defendant."

[arm958]

There is a huge difference between innocent and the prosecutor's failure to PROVE guilty!

Forget the forensic bug people, the character assassinations and other smokescreens. Her blood was on his jacket. End of story. Next case. I suppose that's difficult for a defense attorney to understand.

[nycgal]

What if Feldman wins the appeal? Does he have to represent DW at the new trial, even though he can't be paid or does Westerfield get a court appointed attorney?

[Peach]

Oh, please Cherry, tell me you don't have any fingerprints or blood in your house that can't be identified? Everyone has some DNA in their house that can't be identified. Hope you aren't a lawyer. Your questions don't pass the giggle test. If you have REALLY followed this case closely, it is people like you who would make me chose a trial by JUDGE if I were INNOCENT.

[cynicalman]

Call it intuition, but I truly believe he's not the guy. Not enough solid evidence.

If his is not guilty he must take the stand on the next phase and shout it from the mountain top. Which is what he should have done in his own defense UNLESS there was other evidence that could not be presented unless he took the stand and the evidence was used on cross or to impeach him.

[Psalm 73]

"He will not have money to hire a good lieyer for the appeal."

He will not need money - he will have dozens of high-powered liberal attorneys falling over themselves to represent him should he get the death penalty...

[js1138]

In other words, is a jury verdict considered fact when reporting?

It was good enough in Ollie North's case, even though the verdict was overturned on appeal.

[marajade]

He ain't gonna win an appeal...

[SirAllen]

Geez! Are you people the same ones that said OJ was innocent? If there were anywhere I'd want to select a jury pool from it WOULD have been free republic, but you guys are really scaring me now.

The evidence does not lie. The man was guilty. The jury made the correct decision. For those that say otherwise...I hope you never serve on a jury becuase justice would never see the light of day.

[marajade]

they had DNA evidence... That should be enough ...

[OldFriend]

The entire bunch on FNC were so obnoxious I actually turned to CNN...........imagine having Jeffrey Feiger as an 'expert'. Except for Brit there is nothing on FNC worth watching......

[FreeTheHostages]

I'm new to this thread, but you people who think Westerfield is innocent are serious aren't you? Weird.

Well, there are a few but you'll notice it's just a very few who keep posting over and over and over. And some of them appear to be new not just to the thread but to Free Republic too. One of them has identified himself in a later posting as a criminal defense attorney. But I think if you took a vote in this thread, you'd find yourself in good company. So welcome to the thread and ignore the fools.