A chat room helped Westerfield prosecutors

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 12/12/02 | Alex Roth

[UCANSEE2]

I found the following article interesting. Especially in light of the fact that Danielle had a computer in her room, was often left 'alone' and most likely her activities on the computer were 'unmonitored' by her parents. Police took her computer but we never heard anything about it after that. Is is possible that DW was feeling 'deserted' by her parents (Remember, Mom went to the bar the weekend before, and the weekend she disappeared? Dad says he was 'home' with the kids the entire evening, but there was testimony that both parents were gone, leaving the kids home alone. Is it possible that Danielle found a 'friend' on the internet? Another pervert caught"

[BARLF]

Thanks for the ping Kim.

Wishing you the best New Year ever!

We have snow down here in S.E. Mo. All day but temps staying to warm to cause a road problem(I hope)

Please remember me on your new thread.Thanks Jaded

[Valpal1]

You are too funny! There was NO testimony about both parents being absent. Just chat room gossip and unfounded internet claims like yours.

Also I distinctly remember news accounts when the computers were returned after examination. Also results from the hard drive examinations were available to the defense attorneys, who apparently found nothing useful either.

Nice try though, got anymore?

[EllaMinnow]

1.Verify that Danielle had a computer in her room.
2.Verify that police removed a computer from her room.
3.Try to remember that the victim's initials were DvD, not DW.

[demsux]

MEEEEOOOOWWWWW...Maybe the "gloatjackals" will leave after DW gets death tomorrow.

[CAPPSMADNESS]

Not only does it sound good - it sounds easy too!
Thanks!!!

[Freedom2specul8]

I just found that article too! Thanks for the ping anyway. I'm done with alternative theories. No one can or will be able to justify what they found in dw's possession. Although in the dark, middle of the night..and person with a voice changer could have lured her out of her room..thank about it.

[Freedom2specul8]

thank = think

[Freedom2specul8]

Wishing you the best new year too! The snow missed us by a couple of towns away. i really wanted snow this winter!

[UCANSEE2]

Val, thanks for the response. I was asking an open minded question and you provided some intelligent response.

There was testimony that the kids were home by themselves, that evening, whether you believe it or not. It came from Brenda's own mouth.

Redlipstick, Thanks for your response also.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both.

There are pictures of Danielle's room with the computer sitting there. I find that to be proof to anyone.

It was in testimony and in the SD-UT that the computer was removed from her room. These are commonly known facts.

My original question was, is it possible Danielle may have been in contact with some pervert via the internet?

The only defense so far is that police, by not saying anything, indicated they didn't find any evidence of this happening. If we place absolute trust in the police, then we can accept that position. If we believe that there is reason to suspect the motives of the police, DA, then the question is still viable.

Do you think it was possible ?

[Freedom2specul8]

If her puter had access to the internet, that would be one of the first things the cops would have looked for...pedophile activities, messages, emails etc..

[UCANSEE2]

Also results from the hard drive examinations were available to the defense attorneys, who apparently found nothing useful either.

Again, this would be the most logical answer, and a reasonable one.

It still doesn't answer the question in full. If Danielle was having 'chats' with a pervert, who was identified by screenname only, it would be hard for anyone to identify or prove anything. Notice that the PERVERT in the article thought he was going to meet a teenage girl. WHY? Because there is no way to identify who you are talking to.

SO, could Danielle have been having chats with someone 'misrepresenting' themself? Since police were concentrating on DW, might they have not noticed these?

[UCANSEE2]

If her puter had access to the internet,

So, that would be a key question. Does anyone know ?

[Freedom2specul8]

Not sure if it was addressed in testimony or not. (happy new year!)

[Jaded]

Feldman did try to persue Damon's porn. Mudd shut him down.

[Jaded]

Where did they find that piece of equipment in DW's possession?

Is it like the missing boots, missing pj's, missing sheets, missing hazmat suit, missing briefcase full of money.

Too much stuff missing.

[Valpal1]

I thought you were referring to the Damon had a date rumor stuff. Since Danielle was seen alive after the pizza pick up time, that time didn't jump to mind.

Could Danielle have been having net chats with a pervert and the LE miss it or ignore it. NO, they took the computers specifically looking for that, if there had been any indication of it, defense would have pursued it like a hound dog, as it would be proof of a possible third party perp and would give them all kinds of reasonable doubt wigggle room.

Feldman would not have missed such an obvious opportunity.

[Jaded]

Here's a hypothetical:

Say a child is missing. You show up on the parents door step offering your services (such as they are). You offer to have DNA samples taken because you were in the home. You immediately hold a press conference to cast suspicion upon the parents. You create a web site (quit laughing Red) You update your website with claims that some think are outrageous including excursions out of the country and satellite phones. You mysteriously find a tarp that you desperately want LE to test. Other claims were made on chat rooms and in forums but not on your web site.

What would the profilers say? Oh and explain the bugs and the pump house.

[UCANSEE2]

Thank you. This is the kind of debate I like. I would have to agree with your thoughts. Even if the LE did plant evidence to cement their case against DW, surely they had already taken Danielle's computer and searched it prior to locking onto DW.