Plea deal 'minutes away' when body found

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | September 17, 2002 | J. Harry Jones

[Bug]

Justice not served? Those Freepers who thought he was innocent might want to reconsider. He was going to tell police where the body was located. How would a man innocent of the crime know where the body was?

[dighton]

Bad news for the "Westerfield was framed" brigade.

[VRWC_minion]

Those Freepers who thought he was innocent might want to reconsider

They will dismiss this too of course. Probably along the lines of "Of course he was looking for a plea bargain, the press and prosecutor was out to lynch an innocent man so that the public didn't find out that the entire police force was having sex with the Van Dam's".

[Thinkin' Gal]

Feldman and Boyce took the map back to Westerfield and later telephoned to say they no longer "had anything to discuss regarding a plea bargain."

Westerfield at that moment, was, needless to say, SOL.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I saw a few lawyers on TV last night talking about the case. They claimed that many killers, especially those who are older, do not mind being sentenced to death in California.

They get a cell of their own, better food, special privileges and very little chance they will ever be put to death by the state.

Westerfield is not spring chick. If the state takes 15 years to finally put him to death, he will be 75, IF he lives that long.

There is a better than even chance that this man will die of natural causes in his private room.

[Illbay]

He would tell police where he dumped the 7-year-old girl's body; they would not seek the death penalty.

But...but this can't be! She played in his motorhome! (BLAHBLAHBLAH...)

[Illbay]

Westerfield at that moment, was, needless to say, SOL.

If he wasn't then, he sho' is now!

[umgud]

Westerfield still made out pretty well. He will be on death row, which is better and safer duty than being in the general prison population. He's already 50, and with the CA execution rates, he may live out his natural life.

[general_re]

...the 50-year-old design engineer...
...
If the state takes 15 years to finally put him to death, he will be 75...

Time for a math check ;)

[HamiltonJay]

All those nutcases here who dilluded themselves into thinking Westerfield is not a callous, despicable, sadistic bastard, just because he didn't look "evil" want to speak up on this one?

I pray to God each and every one of you never have to make decisions about who your children should be around! When this sick bastard fries, the world will be a better place.

[BlueLancer]

How would a man innocent of the crime know where the body was?"

Madame Cleo?

[vollmond]

Can this be considered tantamount to a confession?

[AppyPappy]

Geez.......

[Freedom2specul8]

You guys aren't going to believe this...these leaks are so pathetic. Dare we trust it?

Minutes before Danielle van Dam's remains were found Feb. 27, David Westerfield's lawyers were brokering a deal with prosecutors: He would tell police where he dumped the 7-year-old girl's body; they would not seek the death penalty. ......... The deal they were discussing would have allowed Westerfield to plead guilty to murder and be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, said the officials, who spoke on condition they not be identified. Prosecutors were seriously considering the bargain ....."The deal was just minutes away," one of the sources said.

[Freedom2specul8]

I wonder if this was the same leak that "broke" the news about the van dam swinging.

[OldFriend]

Those people who thought this man was innocent won't accept this truth either. They ignored Danielle's blood on the wall behind the bed, Danielle's blood on Westerfield's bedding, Danielle's blood on Westerfield's jacket........

[Freedom2specul8]

Whoops..they only found her blood on his jacket and a spot on the mh floor by the bathroom.

[Freedom2specul8]

Thanks for posting this!

[Freedom2specul8]

although her handprint was on the cabinet next to the bed in the MH...

[VRWC_minion]

I don't think the info is a "leak". I think its from officials who wish to remain anonymous. I also wouldn't be surprised if the reporter knew about this for some time but waited in respect of the fair trial issue and the judges gag order.