VAN DAM MURDER VERDICT [VERDICT IN: GUILTY!]

ABC radio

[wallcrawlr]

I just heard this at noon.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Yet in Trenton, they changed this vicious murderer's trial venue to avoid for the sake of Justice, the poisoning of the Jury pool. Not in SD. They wanted the Jury poisoned -- "broccoli heads" -- indeeed. Served better the bloodthirsty Mob than Justice, it did.

I don't recall the defense in this case ever asking for a change of venue.

[Freedom2specul8]

San Diegans React To Westerfield Verdict
Officials Happy, Trial Watchers Divided
Posted: 3:38 p.m. PDT August 21, 2002
Updated: 7:19 p.m. PDT August 21, 2002

SAN DIEGO -- 10News spoke to dozens of people shortly after the verdict was read, and found much less agreement than was seen from the jury.

A number of people said they expected that the jury would not come to a decision.
"I was shocked," a patron at Dad's Cafe and Steakhouse said. "I thought it was going to be a hung jury."

Outside the courtroom, several hundred people standing around television sets applauded when they heard the guilty verdicts.

"It was the right decision. I have no doubt," onlooker Jeri Fortier said.

Kim Jones is a legal assistant who works near courthouse. She said the verdict left her uneasy.

"A lot of people are so convinced, and the jurors were unanimous. I don't get it. I'm not totally convinced that he's innocent, but I'm not totally convinced he's guilty either," Jones said.

Westerfield's ex-brother-in-law, John Neal, spoke to reporters as he left the courthouse. The defendant's sister sat on a bench and cried.

"I'm in shock," Neal said. "What can I say?"

When asked if he thought his ex-brother-in-law was innocent, Neal said, "He thought he was going to get off."


Police Take Pride In Verdict
San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano nodded, held up a clenched fist and pumped it slightly as he watched the guilty verdicts being read on television.

Bejarano, in the SDPD's Media Relations Unit office, looked around at other department members when he heard the verdict and quietly asked, "All three, huh?"

Other SDPD personnel hailed the verdicts as well, saying the case reflected well on the agency they serve.

"It just goes to show that our department is head and shoulders above everybody else, (in) our investigative abilities," Officer Gil Flores said.

Recruiting Officer Stacee Botsford echoed Flores' comments, saying she'd heard from relatives in other parts of the country that her department had performed well well throughout the nationally televised trial.

"It makes us proud," Botsford added as she watched the end of the verdict-reading session in the SDPD's second-floor press room.


District Attorney Applauds Prosecution
Prosecutors did "a good job for the people of San Diego" in winning the murder conviction Westerfield, District Attorney Paul Pfingst said.

But with a gag order in effect, he said he wouldn't have a full statement until the penalty phase of the trial is over. It begins next Wednesday.

"There's still more work to be done," Pfingst said. "When the case is over, I'll have a statement. But right now we should allow the jurors to do their job and not try to do anything to influence it other than what happens inside the courtroom."

Pfingst spoke to a crush of reporters outside the downtown courthouse.

"I'm proud of my prosecutors," Pfingst said. "They've done a good job. They've always done a good job for the people of San Diego."

[Illbay]

Or, that the defense is being railroaded.

SO PATHETIC!

"Reality Bites," friend. YourTimeIsPast.

[Illbay]

I advise you to leave, and register under another screen-name. You're so thoroughly discredited, nothing you ever post again will be considered seriously by anyone of sound mind.

[Illbay]

I already advised him to reregister with another screen-name. Now I think of it, though, he'd better also get a lobotomy. Otherwise, we'll spot him right off no matter what name he uses.

[bvw]

Don't know if they did or did not. Defense was constant in asking for jury sequestration and for seperation of the porn and porn charges from the murder and kidnap.

[Illbay]

Yes, you've run into the most despicable faction on FR: The Libertines.

[Illbay]

...but it's my understanding that none of the pornography found involved prepubescent children.

I assume your "understanding" was gleaned from the fanatical Westerfield apologists here on FR.

You understood wrong, as it happens. Go back and read the earlier comments on these threads. The porn was of the nature of vicious rapes of young girls.

[Henrietta]

You are the attorney. You are the one who is supposed to tell us your ideas. Got any of your own?

Really? Well, if you'd like to hire me at my usual and customary hourly rate, then you could certainly get the benefit of my brilliant mind. Until then, nothing for you!

[Illbay]

When asked if he thought his ex-brother-in-law was innocent, Neal said, "He thought he was going to get off."

Fascinating quote!!!

[FreeTheHostages]

Yes, actually vicious *gang* rapes of young girls. And when they tell you not to worry, it's animated, close your ears. Satan's work abounds in this thread.

[Henrietta]

What part of my comments about Westerfield could you possibly consider bigoted? Do you know what that word even means?

Bigoted: blindly and obstinately attached to some creed or opinion and intolerant toward others.

The idea that someone who is incensed that an innocent man is going to prison must be a pedophile supporter (because in your view, the accused is a pedophile) is bigoted. I have very good reasons for my views, many of which were discussed over the course of the past few months on these threads.

[nonstatusquo]

Westerfield has been found guilty by the members of the jury. Many of us who have kept up with this trial also have found him guilty in our minds, not because we don't like the looks of the guy or anything, but the forensic evidence was presented as well as the motive due to his obsession with children pornigraphically speaking.

The defense team set out to smear the parents and place blame on them. I may or may not approve of her parents' choices, but they are not the ones on trial here.

Westerfield was.

If he is innocent, then he sure didn't help his team prove that innocence!

[bvw]

I'm glad you find that fascinating. You'll remember it then.

[FreeTheHostages]

The idea that someone who is incensed that an innocent man is going to prison must be a pedophile supporter (because in your view, the accused is a pedophile) is bigoted. I have very good reasons for my views.

Westerfield is guilty. People who say that you must be a pedophile supporter to post otherwise are wrong: I agree with you on this. I disagree that you have good reasons for your views. But I don't assume anything other than a fundamental lack of common sense on your part. Um, I hope that's somewhat helpful.

It's about Danielle.

[bvw]

If he is innocent, then he sure didn't help his team prove that innocence!

Three card monte. Dealer wins. No matter how much help a mark gets.

[Peach]

Bigoted - you have shown that you cannot tolerate someone whose views differ from your own. There is ample evidence that men who view child pornography of the type that Westerfield viewed are in fact pedophiles. My view that he is a pedophile based on the evidence presented at the trial and your view that he is not a pedophile, are differences of OPINION, but NOT that I am a bigot for holding the views I do. You on the other hand, seem to think everyone whose opinions differ from your own must be bigoted.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I have blood DNA evidence in my car belonging to my cousin. I drove him to the hospital once when he split his head open.

If he were to go missing, would I get the death penalty?

[Illbay]

Bigoted - you have shown that you cannot tolerate someone whose views differ from your own.

"Bigot" has little to do with "views." It is used to describe hatred of a group and those associated with the group on the basis of otherwise inconsequential factors such as skin color.

I am firm in my opinion I don't HAVE to tolerate certain views the way YOU mean (I think YOU mean that you have to be honored for being stupid).

Anyone who tries to marginalize the extent of this horrid crime has my utter contempt, with extreme prior prejudice.

[FreeTheHostages]

No. I'm trying SO hard not to say "how stupid." Oops, sorry. I tried.