Van Dam Case Witness Challenges Findings Of Defense 'Bug Expert': But...His Testimony Don't Add Up..

Union Tribune ^ | July 31, 2002 | Jeff Dillion

[clearvision]

I'm not sure if it was confirmed, but it seems the photo's were from a split microscope in June 25th Shen testimony:

YES, I CAN. THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON A COMPARISON MICROSCOPE. AND A COMPARISON MICROSCOPE IS SIMPLY TWO COMPOUND MICROSCOPES STUCK TOGETHER WITH ONE LIGHT BRIDGE SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY LOOK THROUGH ONE EYEPIECE AND YOU CAN SEE THE FIELD OF TWO SEPARATE MICROSCOPES AT THE SAME TIME. SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS PUT AN UNKNOWN FIBER ON ONE MICROSCOPE AND THE KNOWN FIBER ON THE OTHER MICROSCOPE, LOOK THROUGH THE ONE EYEPIECE AND SEE THEM BOTH AT THE SAME TIME, LINE THEM RIGHT UP TO EACH OTHER AND LOOK AT ALL THOSE VISUAL AND OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS SIDE BY SIDE TO MAKE SURE THAT IN FACT THEY ARE THE SAME. AND THIS IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT THAN PUTTING ONE FIBER ON A MICROSCOPE THEN TAKING IT OFF AND PUTTING THE NEXT ONE ON BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE THEM RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER. SO THESE ARE PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN ON A COMPARISON MICROSCOPE.Q: I THINK THERE'S A POINTER. IF THERE ISN'T, I CAN SEE ONE IN FRONT OF THE WITNESS STAND. IF YOU WOULD GO AHEAD AND TELL US WHAT'S SHOWN IN THESE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS ON EXHIBIT 134 IN TERMS OF THE COMPARISON THAT YOU CONDUCTED. A: PHOTOGRAPH A IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE FIBER TAKEN FROM THE NECKLACE AND THE FIBER TAKEN FROM ITEM 5A, WHICH IS ONE OF THE ITEMS OUT OF THE LAUNDRY FROM THE WASHING MACHINE. AND THIS IS TAKEN AT A 100-TIME MAGNIFICATION.

[juzcuz]

Shen said she lifted long green fibers from Danielle's clothes.... Now I know Danielle had clothes in her room. I know she was found naked the long green fibers were collected from both places... I think Shen made a mistake in admitting that she took fibers from danielle's clothes. I think later she tried to cover it up by saying that the different sets of long green fibers were not similar... I could be mistaken, but right now that's what I think....

[juzcuz]

long green fiber-
some long green fiber was lifted from her clothes. More long green fiber lifted from her naked body, or the ME sheet.

[cyncooper]

I think Shen made a mistake in admitting that she took fibers from danielle's clothes. I think later she tried to cover it up by saying that the different sets of long green fibers were not similar...

Could you post the transcript and what you are referring to by saying Shen is "covering up"?

Did Feldman follow-up on cross?

[FresnoDA]

August 1, Trial Thread...up and running....

Prosecution's Bug Expert Struggles On Stand:08/01/2002 Westefield Trial Nears Finish Lap!

[Krodg]

Why do you think they needed to prove that it was not human blood? Why the discussion about Layla's nosebleed? I believe one of the earliest cops on the scene was not informed of the blood on the stairwell. Did they test the blood around the garage? I'm getting confused again.

[cyncooper]

I think later she tried to cover it up by saying that the different sets of long green fibers were not similar... I could be mistaken,

Just a reminder, as with all the fibers, defense could have their own comparison done and show the fibers "really match" if you are saying Shen is lying by saying they do not.

[FresnoDA]

OK Mr. Dusek. Could you let me know when you will be objecting...then I will be ready to sustain.....

I already know what I will over rule Feldman on....

Tue Jul 30, 8:04 PM ET

Judge William D. Mudd discusses, with attorneys, evidence to be admitted during the trial of David Westerfield Tuesday, July 30, 2002, in San Diego. Westerfield is charged with the kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Danielle van Dam. (AP Photo/Dan Trevan, Pool)

[the-gooroo]

I have been going over trial transcripts all day. There are soooo many inconsistencies/lies, that make ya wonder what these people are trying to hide. For example--DVD testifies that Barbara was only on his bed for a couple of minutes (total)--they kiss and hug--then he actually says that he started to "DOZE OFF"! Yeah right! That's when Brenda came and told them to get downstairs. Just curious, do you know what he said in the PH about this?

[FresnoDA]

The Demon started dozing off when Barb made him, uhm...."Real Comfortable"...but...there were reports of performance problems by The Demon during the PH..so maybe it was just minutes....

[juzcuz]

I found it in Shen's test. of June 25 morning 1
It's just as I typed it out the entire thing would be a big hassle for me to have to find again.

My point is that She lifted long green fibers from Danielle's clothes.
Q: These items were collected; the long green fiber, the long green fibers, etcetera, as well, as Item 5 collected from the victims clothes, is that right?
A: Yes.
Q: You did not find long green fibers in Danielle's environment did you?
A: I DID.

later she says she found long green fibers in Danielle's "environment" in fact numerous long green fibers.
Next she says: "I did not find consistant with those long green fibers that were taken from Danielle's environment."

The next questions are about the other fibers

Anyway, the way I interpret this is that the "environment" means danielle's body or Me sheet that she examined.

I think this is odd because there was purple fibers found on her. I know Danielle was to have worn a purple shirt that day. But yet, these fiber experts stated that they could not tell were a lot of these fibers came from. I don't know that she is covering up anything except, I thought that Shen made a mistake when she admitted that she found long green fibers on Danielle's clothes, and then tried to cover for her mistake by saying that it didn't match with danielle anyway.. I hope I'm being clear, It's getting late....

[Krodg]

WESTERFIELD: No, it was spur of the moment. Because I had a, you know, I had made a commitment to Gary to be at the bar on Friday night. And I knew that I had nothing really planned for today. So it was going to be Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

He broke up with his girlfriend and decided to go camping to get away. He told his son he would be gone. He asked at least one friend to join him. He was unable to find anyone to go camping on Fri, so he made plans to hang out with Gary Fri night. Sat morning he decided to go camping anyway (spur of the moment) since he didn't have anything planned for Mon (when he was being questioned).

[Krodg]

I've been wondering if Feldman staged the 'Halloween Party' so Duesk would have to counter it, knowing that he has something to add? I remember him alluding to Brenda's sweater. Just curious.

[Karson]

I am around kids Danielle's age all the time and I know the difference between clean and unkempt.

So do I, and Danielle's hair was dirty and unkempt.

[Krodg]

John,

There has to be someone on that jury with everyday common sense.

[Jrabbit]

The sweater is a big mystery. Feldman wasn't allowed to go in the VD's house to investigate and he sure couldn't test any clothing belonging to them. Or the dog bed! What are the chances that LE looked for the source of the fibers in the VD enviornment?

[Jrabbit]

The sweater is a big mystery. Feldman wasn't allowed to go in the VD's house to investigate and he sure couldn't test any clothing belonging to them. Or the dog bed! What are the chances that LE looked for the source of the fibers in the VD enviornment?

[Jrabbit]

Sorry! Computer running hot and cold all day!

[nycgal]

Sounds right to me.

[BARLF]

Morning gooroo,

PH transcripts: Feldman,Q: What happened?
A: Barbara laid next to me. I rolled over an put my arm around her,kissed,rubbed her back some.
Q: How long were you there with her?
A: Five minutes. Around five minutes.