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Expert: Body dumped after defendant fell under suspicionby Steve Perez andGreg MagnusSIGNONSANDIEGO July 10, 2002 Union-TribuneSusan L. describes her relationship to David Westerfield. An expert witness called by the defense Wednesday afternoon said he is "very confident" the nude body of Danielle van Dam was probably dumped off Dehesa Road near El Cajon more than a week after murder defendant David Westerfield came under police surveillance. Insect expert David Faulkner testified he based his conclusion upon studies he conducted on larvae and insects recovered from the victim's body, discovered by volunteer searchers on Feb. 27.Westerfield is accused of kidnapping 7-year-old...

Defense could pin hopes on insect life By Kristen Green STAFF WRITER June 30, 2002 In the first four weeks of David Westerfield's murder trial, jurors were schooled in scientific evidence such as blood and DNA, fingerprints and fibers. Now they'll get a crash course in the life cycle of flies. Westerfield's team of lawyers is expected to launch his defense this week, and lead attorney Steven Feldman has hinted that he will use insect biology to prove 7-year-old Danielle van Dam died after police and reporters began tracking his client's every move. That would mean Westerfield couldn't have killed...

SAN DIEGO (AP) - The father of slain 7-year-old Danielle van Dam has been barred from the trial of her alleged killer amid concern he might try to harm the defendant. Judge William Mudd ordered Damon van Dam out of the courtroom and told him to stay away from the third floor of the courthouse, officials said Tuesday. Damon van Dam recently had asked detailed questions about how deputies transported defendant David Westerfield to and from trial, said sheriff's deputy C.K. McKenzie. "That raises a bunch of red flags. It suggests he might try to do something," said McKenzie, one...

San Diego Superior Court Brenda Van Dam Preliminary Hearing Transcript JUDGE: Please tell us your name.A: Brenda Van Dam.JUDGE: Would you spell the first and last name. A: BRENDA Van Dam: B-r-e-n-d-a V-a-n D-a-m. JUDGE: Thank you very much. Prosecution begin. Dusek questions.Q: Mrs. Van Dam are you married?A: Yes. Q: Who are you married to? A: Damon Van Dam. Q: When did you get married? A: March 11th 1989. Q: So you've been married how many years? A: 13 years. Q: Just had an anniversary? A: Yes. Q: Where do you live? A: Sabre Springs. Q: What's the...