I can't see Westerfield as guilty of doing this, as I don't see a motive. He has no prior record, the evidence is so circumstantial, and his behavior is not that of an intelligent man trying to avoid suspicion.
But, that said, I am hoping that the trial goes ahead as scheduled in late May, as I want to hear the evidence. If "CourtTV" doesn't carry this one without commercials, I will be very upset.
I have no clue about the veracity of Douglas Peirce, but find his treatment by the press very confusing...
I would venture a guess that it has more to do with not wanting to seem to offend grieving parents than anything else. I know that on this board as well as some of the San Diego message boards pointing fingers at the van Dams was at least frowned upon, and in some cases, even stronger measures were taken to prevent even the slightest criticism of the van Dams.
Those that allowed such postings at all saw terrible flames directed at those who posted (she said as she dusted off the ashes from the last barrage). Pierce did not "go along to get along" but (apparently) told it like it was--along with Rick Roberts and several others. So the press unloaded on him--how dare they?
In these times when political correctness trumps searching for and then telling the truth, I suppose we should not be surprised, but we should be dismayed.