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Mudd Letters Opened To Public: Van Dam Jurors Continue to Mull and Ponder Westerfield's Fate! 8-15
Union Trib ^ | August 15, 2002 | Union Trib

Posted on 08/14/2002 9:29:21 PM PDT by FresnoDA

Letters to judge opened to public


SIGNONSANDIEGO

August 14, 2002

The judge in the trial of David Westerfield today allowed reporters to see court log entries of notes from jurors, as well as letters to the judge from the public about the murder of Danielle van Dam.

The letters from the public included a variety of theories about the case.

One letter-writer sent the following theory to Judge William Mudd: "Danielle van Dam killed herself.''

A nearly illegible postcard with a Spokane postmark alluded to at least one ex-wife "with a drinking problem (who) lives in Spokane.''

 


DAN TREVAN / Union-Tribune
Some of the folders of documents made public by Judge William Mudd.
The writer failed to indicate whether the reference was to ex-wives of Westerfield – who has been married and divorced twice – or someone else connected with the case.

The postcard was unsigned.

Another missive came from a man who referenced another high-profile murder trial – that of O.J. Simpson.

"The O.J. Simpson case was a miscarriage of the state's justice mainly because Judge (Lance) Ito was too lenient with the actors defending O.J.,'' the man wrote.

There was no news Wednesday afternoon about the status of deliberations, but Mudd announced he was holding a sealed hearing 9:30 a.m. Thursday to consider an unspecified defense motion in the case.

Wednesday was the fifth day of deliberations. The prosecution concluded its closing arguments last Thursday.

Westerfield is accused of kidnapping 7-year-old Danielle van Dam from her Sabre Springs home and killing her.

He could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of murder with special circumstances.

He has also been charged with misdemeanor possession of child pornography.

The log entries show that on Friday, the jury requested ``all available evidence of pornographic images'' and a photograph of a teen-age daughter of the defendant's ex-girlfriend.



TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: 180frank; vandam; vandamswingers; westerfield
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Breaking!! Defense In Westerfield Case To Present Sealed Motion

Jury Asks To Review More Evidence

 

POSTED: 3:57 p.m. PDT August 14, 2002
UPDATED: 3:58 p.m. PDT August 14, 2002

 

The judge in the David Westerfield trial will hold a hearing on a sealed motion filed by the defense.
Court officials say Judge William Mudd has scheduled a hearing at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in San Diego on a motion filed by Westerfield's attorneys.

Westerfield is accused of kidnapping and killing seven-year-old Danielle van Dam in early February. Today is the fifth day of deliberations in the case.

The six-man, six-woman jury has asked to review all the pornographic evidence collected from Westerfield's home.

They've also asked to look at photos of his ex-girlfriend's daughter, also named Danielle. Jurors also requested the tape of Westerfield's interview with police.


1 posted on 08/14/2002 9:29:21 PM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: Politicalmom; spectre; BunnySlippers; DoughtyOne; Hillary's Lovely Legs; Snow Bunny; Alamo-Girl; ...
Ping...) ) )
2 posted on 08/14/2002 9:31:24 PM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: UCANSEE2; FresnoDA; Mrs.Liberty; demsux; MizSterious; Jaded; skipjackcity; RnMomof7; spectre; ...
BOOKMARK and PING ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

ANd a big thanks to FresnoDA!

3 posted on 08/14/2002 9:36:57 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: All
AND THE NEWEST GOLDEN COMMENTS

THey are with the blue blanket used to wrap Danielle, the missing comforter with blood all over it, the black boots with blood all over them, and my briefcase with a million dollars in it. If you see it, I want it back.

It's wrapped up in a plastic mattress cover that you can get at any Wall-Mart for $12.99.
If you find a second hard-drive in the briefcase, that belongs to Kimmy.
Night vision goggles or Febreze are Jaded's.
Any frozen fly maggots can go to VRWC_minion.
JJ gets any jay-walking deer and Oldsmobile spare parts. by dread78645

Westerfield could have buried the body anywhere, burned all the evidence (including the MH).

He supposedly tried to get the motor home dry-cleaned at Twin Peaks when he checked in the three green jackets onn January 26th. by The Other Harry

I thought not checking them, was alot more odd than leaving a hose out!

Be careful here. That hose is forensic evidence. Don't step on it!

DW supposedly also tried to take that hose to the dry-cleaners after getting back from the dessert. There was a fourth trip that day that has so far gone unreported. Not only that, but the hose is allegedly filled with .22 ammunition shells and other things. by The Other Harry

If they recommend death, Superior Court Judge William "Billie" Mudd -- who prefers to be refered to by attorneys as "Padre" rather than as "Your Honor" -- would then immediately make the final decision between life and death. "Hang the the sonofabitch. Get me a rope." by The Other Harry

4 posted on 08/14/2002 9:51:21 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: UCANSEE2; FresnoDA; Mrs.Liberty; demsux; MizSterious; Jaded; skipjackcity; RnMomof7; spectre; ...
Testing the PING list. HEre is a copy for anyone. IF YOU ARE NOT ON IT and want to be, BEST THING TO DO is PRIVATE MAIL me.

UCANSEE2, FresnoDA, Mrs. Liberty, demsux, MizSterious, Jaded, skipjackcity, RnMomof7, spectre, BARLF, Valpal1, FriarTom, DoughtyOne, Travis McGee,Hillary’s Lovely Legs, fivecatsandadog, Mommya, ~kim4vrwc's~, goldenstategirl, Politicalmom, southflanknorthpawsis, Lauratealeaf, mini_teacup, Snow Bunny, Alamo-Girl, Republican Wildcat, Fred Mertz, onyx, SusanUSA, MdmKoochie , fnord, Uni-Poster, TXDeb, tutstar, theirjustdue, notpoliticallycor ewrecked, lady reaper, Beach_Babe, brneyedgirl, wonders, HoHoeHeaux, vacrn, Karson, sbnsd, Rheo, John Jamieson, rolling_stone, wirestripper, Jhoffa_, GummyIII,Lanza, sneakypete, Shezza, Dudley, Winstar1k, is_is, Wednesday’s Child, Donzerly lights, Mrs.O’Strategery, pinz-n-needlez, Angelique, Jdontom, Nancie, Tiger28, sunshine state, Henrietta, pubmom, Spunky, it’s me, TexKat, gigi, Yeti, alexandria, luv2lurkhere, JudyB1938, cyncooper, pyx, SheLion, Dread78645, juzcuz, helpisontheway, Lorraine, Kayti, Krodg, afraidfortherepublic, jokar, itsahoot, Rightfield, hoosiermama, greenishness, zip ,bolthead,fussybutt,the-gooroo,redhawk, tetelestai,Cudjo,billbears, the Deejay, jacquej, let freedom sing, nycgal, hergus, tutstar, ThinkingMan, Mrs.Liberty, Jacy29,Steve0113,countess,HoneyBoo,basscleff,Jrabbit,MagnoliaMS,I.Ben Hurt, imready,theartfuldodger,Granof8,TheOtherHarry,amazed, james_hayes, ItsOurTimeNow,domestice,teledude,I. Ben Hurt

5 posted on 08/14/2002 9:57:15 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: UCANSEE2
Thank you as well...tick, tock, tick, tock...when is this going to come to resolution? Soon I hope...
6 posted on 08/14/2002 9:57:34 PM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: FresnoDA
Same here. Did you see the post about the idea that removing certain teeth (or any) is part of satanic ritual?

I know someone discussed removing of left foot (left - sinistra) is part of satanic ritual.

7 posted on 08/14/2002 9:59:54 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: ican'tbelieveit
I just added you to the ping list. If you don't want on, just private mail me.
8 posted on 08/14/2002 10:02:11 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: UCANSEE2
Yeah, it involves the removal of the two top front teeth and the two bottom front teeth...and I will not tell you why....
9 posted on 08/14/2002 10:10:15 PM PDT by FresnoDA
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To: UCANSEE2
AND THE NEWEST GOLDEN COMMENTS

I feel quite honored.

But I hate seeing all my typo's on the front page like that.

10 posted on 08/14/2002 10:11:28 PM PDT by The Other Harry
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To: CAPPSMADNESS; winodog; NatureGirl; demsux; carenot
Sorry to say I didn't have you all on the PING LIST. I have added you. PLease tell me if you want off. Thanks.
11 posted on 08/14/2002 10:11:43 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: FresnoDA; UCANSEE2
So what's the prevailing opinion here? The longer the jury's out, the better or worse for DW? I'm getting nervous.
12 posted on 08/14/2002 10:12:04 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: FresnoDA
and I will not tell you why....

Don't have to.

13 posted on 08/14/2002 10:12:29 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: All
good nite all. CU tomorrow.
14 posted on 08/14/2002 10:13:36 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: UCANSEE2
Me too.
15 posted on 08/14/2002 10:23:03 PM PDT by I. Ben Hurt
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To: goldenstategirl
I think it means they are taking a serious look at the whole thing. They apparently paid attention to Feldman's closing.

He said "stealth" or some derivative thereof 5 times during his closing. Dang it, if he'da only said Stealth Ninja Dave once.
16 posted on 08/14/2002 10:23:11 PM PDT by Jaded
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To: goldenstategirl
So what's the prevailing opinion here? The longer the jury's out, the better or worse for DW?

I don't know the rules of thumb on this, but I think it at least shows that the jury is being careful and methodical. In my mind, that's a good thing. I think it probably helps DW.

I say that for a reason. The prosecution's case is very narrow. The forensic evidence in the MH, period, end of story.

The case could be decided very quickly if that was all the jurors are looking at. If they are looking at more than that, I think that helps Dee-Dub.

17 posted on 08/14/2002 10:26:19 PM PDT by The Other Harry
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To: UCANSEE2
Goodnight everyone! Oh...it is late, yikes!! I hate it
when I stay up late like this on the computer! Oh well, we all have our weaknesses!
18 posted on 08/14/2002 10:27:07 PM PDT by domestice
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To: The Other Harry
>>>the jury requested ``all available evidence of pornographic images'' and a photograph of a teen-age daughter of the defendant's ex-girlfriend.<<<

That may indicate they have decided on the other things and are hashing out the child porno charges.

19 posted on 08/14/2002 10:30:20 PM PDT by Greg Weston
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To: goldenstategirl
"The longer the jury's out, the better or worse for DW?"

This is a good thing, IMHO. I agree w/ TOH. Now I'm off for some shut eye!
20 posted on 08/14/2002 10:31:09 PM PDT by domestice
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