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Damon Van Dam Testifies Tearfully, Fends Off Lifestyle Attack:Day 3 of Westerfield Trial
CourtTV ^ | June 6, 2002 | CourtTV

Posted on 06/05/2002 11:36:24 PM PDT by FresnoDA

DAY 3: Westerfield On Trial



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: vandam; westerfield
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To: theirjustdue
Interesting observation about the possibility of the check impeaching Brenda's timeline. When Feldman was dwelling on this for so long, I knew it wasn't just casual questioning, despite his more or less friendly tone. (He's good at this!)
821 posted on 06/07/2002 6:49:02 AM PDT by MizSterious
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To: ~Kim4VRWC's~
Thanks, Kim. It really hurts when I see kids having to go through life being hurt by their parents or other people they should be able to trust. I see all these little kids at church who are so innocent and I pray for them all the time to be protected against these devils who would harm them in some way. I just can't fathom it all except I know that satan is after our children and this is one (only one) way he accomplishes his purpose. We really need to pray for our children, grandchildren and others in our sphere of infuence. I pray for kids whenever I see them, wherever I see them. It's a rough world they're growing up in. Ours was so much simpler.
822 posted on 06/07/2002 6:50:31 AM PDT by Marysecretary
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To: Helen
Helen, your website thoughts bring to mind some earlier scuttlebut about cameras and videotapes in the van Dam home. Some of us speculated at the time--I believe the thread got removed, upset a few folks you knonw--that if they were into this sort of thing, perhaps they'd found a way to make it pay for itself.

There was even a rather lengthy discussion of what a contract engineer in that part of the country might earn, and some comparisons with the money being spent (house, either 2 or 3 cars, expensive trips to Disney, girls nights out, drugs, etc.). It seems the balance sheet tipped a little towards the "money out" side. So maybe they needed a little "home business" for pin money--but mind you, this is all speculation, and since we obviously have no financial records nor proof of videocameras or tapes, there is no proof of any of this. Speculation ONLY.

823 posted on 06/07/2002 6:56:54 AM PDT by MizSterious
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To: fnord, Amore
If you are referring obliquely to the reported 'under age rape anime', I would presume that since the prosecutor can say anything, true or false (remember this is not evidence), it would be OK to show anything, again true or false.

maybe a lwayer can inform us more in depth. btw, I was not aware that slide shows and mutlimedia stuff was allowable during opening arguments. I thought, from past experience, that the arguments were strictly verbal. The pics and stuff is all new to me, so I don't know what is allowable or not, or where the 'truth line' is drawn.

Yes, I was referring to a rape scene..but the way the reporter described it, it wasn't animated. I guess we'll have to email RR and ask him. I'll ping amore cuz she would know abuot using props during opening statements. I've not kept up wtih rules like that for awhile.

824 posted on 06/07/2002 6:59:56 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
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To: FresnoDA
And you are a very nasty hatefilled person. I feel sorry for you and I will pray that he cures you of your disease.
825 posted on 06/07/2002 7:02:14 AM PDT by Intimidator
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To: FresnoDA
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The blood of Christ saves us. You too have sinned so I suppose God should have someone kill your child too? This is what you are saying. A sin is a sin whether it is sexual sin, coveting sin or whatnot.
826 posted on 06/07/2002 7:07:06 AM PDT by Intimidator
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To: Marysecretary
Words couldn't be more true... Jesus said Let the children come to me for a variety of reasons...one of which is that they are no less deserving of his love and protection than adults. God expects them to be treated right.
827 posted on 06/07/2002 7:07:52 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
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To: Felicity
Felicity, the dog stories have changed dramatically over time. Early in the case, from the van Dams' own lips, it was told that the dog "couldn't" bark. Later, it was told that the dog could bark, but not at all loudly, more like a whine or whimper. When they played that 911 tape at the trial, I also heard the dog barking, and another child in the background. It's just another of the many, many lies the van Dams have told from the beginning. I find it baffling. Tremendously baffling--their child is missing, and they can't tell the truth to help people find her?

Also on the subject of the tape, I have to tell you that Brenda did not sound frantic as is being portrayed in all the news stories. And I have something to use for comparison--other 911 calls made by mothers who've found their children gone. We do hear them fairly frequently.

And then there are the faked distress calls--we now know they were faked because later it comes out that the person calling either knew what had happened, or had done it herself, like Susan Smith.

We had a local case that is a perfect example: the woman called 911 reporting a "home invasion" where a "masked man" shot her in the hand and fatally wounded her husband. She did the same "Oh my God" in a flat voice as Brenda. Now, it comes out that she and one of her (many) lovers murdered her husband (why can't people just get a divorce?) and she and the lover (who fled to Mexico just before hubby's funeral) are standing trial for it.

Now, please note before flaming that these are my impressions of Brenda's "frantic" 911 call, and should not in any way be construed as fact unless and until evidence proves me right. (And it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it did.)

828 posted on 06/07/2002 7:09:05 AM PDT by MizSterious
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To: MizSterious
I have long been of the opinion that someone who would deal in drugs are low as snakes and capable of most anything to protect their own skin,their customers and source of income. A liar is the snakes' companion.

I have been trying to find,among all the posts here how many hours after Danielle was reported missing that the parents admitted to LE the things that went on in that house that night. I thought Feldman said fourteen hours but not sure of that.

Using fourteen hours just a guide line....Had the vD's come clean immediately the police might have prevented DW from leaving his house on Saturday morning or prevented his erratic trip around the country. Thus, finding important evidence if it existed in,on or around DW in anyway. Due to the parents lying, precious time was lost and a killer may go free.

I found in an article posted by Fres on 6/6, "Father of Slain girl testifies." #119 on this thread. Sperber(Dentist) "testified that front teeth are often lost in decomposition,but because the body was found face up,the teeth would have been in the area."

If you go to PH transcripts during Lt. Collins testimony he states the body was on back but head turned with right ear on the ground. Thats why he could not tell if both earrings were there. I hate it when I see these differences in testimony under oath.

829 posted on 06/07/2002 7:40:07 AM PDT by BARLF
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To: Intimidator
IMO, you missed the point. The parents lifestyle contributed to this unsafe environment. If the parents weren't more concerned about themselves they would quit being so deceiving. The only true victims left in this whole sordid tale are the two boys living in the home. They need our prayers and compassion.
830 posted on 06/07/2002 7:59:21 AM PDT by Jaded
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To: Intimidator, amore, valpal1
Just running through a few of the comments...and see yet another disagreement between those who blame the parents and those who blame the murder.

How about a little Tort analogy..making the manufactor responsible for the stupidity of others. Most conservatives tend to be against "torts" and want "torts reform". Torts is necessary in the sense that manufactors should make a safe product and be responsible for making sure the instructions for using their products are clear and concise. What gets conservatives upset is when some person has a terrible accident because he fails to follow the clear and concise correct instructions, instructions that are not vague or confusing.

It appears in this situation, *some people* are holding the VD's responsible for the stupidity of another because the parents had consensual sex with friends (no one has claimed strangers yet as far as i know) and they smoked pot. This means going against the clear and concise instructions in the guidebook for living aka bible. The instructions are NOT confusing or vague. Our guide book for living expects us to provide an environment that is good for nurturing and raising our children..that is true. It is sinning to do otherwise. We have to expect to suffer the consequences for our actions. Would God take our children away from us in such a violent way because of adultry? I don't think so...I'd like to see a scripture to back it up. satan causes sin, pain and to choose to cause sin and pain is NOT of God. The person that took the life of that child did it on his own doing. He found an opportunity and took it.

NO ONE CAN DENY that the lifestyle is disgusting beyond belief..BUT, predators prey upon victims of all ages, races, socioeconomic level and lifestyles. In fact, we can be so bold to remind everyone that the difference between the rich eccentric predator and the poor crazy predator is money and/or education.

Conservatives normally advocate personal responsibility....and that is kind of what's going on here..but the difference is they went so far as to say "not only are the parents irresponsible, but they also don't care that danielle died, that damon must have had something to do with this, the parents are faking grief, and the parents have no remorse over their actions.."

There is nothing wrong with looking at these issues, but stating them as fact is what the problem is. The bottom line is honesty while debating this issue. To not be honest and to not admit that there are other possibilities..such as the fact that even a bad parent can feel grief, is nothing more than tunnel vision, pre-conceived notions and prejudice.

831 posted on 06/07/2002 8:02:02 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
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To: Jaded
I never said I justified the parents lifestyle, all I said is the parents didn't 'deserve' to have their child killed because of their lifestyle. The child was taken out of her bedroom and killed, she wasn't taken at some swingers bar. There are people on this thread that are more or less saying the parents deserved it and that is wrong. I love my children more than myself and don't think any parent deserves to have their child killed no matter what.
832 posted on 06/07/2002 8:03:06 AM PDT by Intimidator
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To: bvw
See reply 813.

Interesting proposition that makes a gross generalization, but they'd better solidify that to more than "he was a swinger so his friends did it." In that case, you could use the common perception of Harley bikers to go after the family of any children of bikers murdered

For the record, I was exposed to the biker community through family for most of my adolescent life, and they are generally good people with the usual few exceptions. So don't get on me about the biker reference.

833 posted on 06/07/2002 8:15:28 AM PDT by Quila
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To: Intimidator, amore, valpal1
I left a couple of points out.. conservatives get mad when the victim of his own stupidity sues the manufactor.. and the court system doesn't use the bible to make their decisions.
834 posted on 06/07/2002 8:33:31 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
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To: Intimidator, amore, valpal1
Gosh, I type too fast..I dont' think conservative necessarily get upset cuz the bible isn't used in the court system..but thought I better clarify that cuz someone might get the wrong impression.
835 posted on 06/07/2002 8:39:52 AM PDT by Freedom2specul8
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To: Quila
Okay, that's the glasses you are seeing through. If now, someone's chopper shop got broken into, don't you think that which MC or which type of MC a suspect on trial belonged to would be pertinant in presenting to the jury?
836 posted on 06/07/2002 8:46:59 AM PDT by bvw
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To: bvw
Okay, that's the glasses you are seeing through. If now, someone's chopper shop got broken into, don't you think that which MC or which type of MC a suspect on trial belonged to would be pertinant in presenting to the jury?

Actually, the nastiest biker I knew owned the chopper shop. But to your point, the crowd the suspect hung around would be pertinent. The defense doesn't need to be asking the store owner if he hung around the wrong crowd. That would be the investigator's job when trying to find a perpetrator.

837 posted on 06/07/2002 8:56:32 AM PDT by Quila
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To: Intimidator
You're right no parent DESERVES to have their child murdered. The children deserve the protection that parents are called to give them, they are truly the victims.

I chaperone for my daughter's hs band and orchestra. Some of the kids are at that age where they rebel period, I understand that. Some of the HS kids are truly messed up because of what their parents have exposed them to.

In March one of the band kids killed himself. This was an incredible shock to the rest of the kids. They'd seen him the night before at a school function, afterwards he joined them at a local restaurant. As far as everyone knew everything was fine, even my daughter said he acted normal. The next day he was dead by his own hand. When the obituary appeared in the paper I was shocked. His father wrote the obit. It read, survived by myself his fater, his step mother ***, his natural mother ***, and continued with a list of step-parents. Continued saying that he spent his 17 years living with grandparents and great grandparents. His parents inability or unwillingness to see to his needs above their own, or even near their own, contributed greatly to his deep despair. His grandparents are devastated by his loss, his father just doesn't get it.

I realize that this incident compared to the abduction and murder of a child are apples and oranges, but when the needs and wants of a parent take precedence over children that they have brought in to the world and are responsible for bad things happen whether by direct action or negligence. And the excuse that because they are in bed asleep or they're kids and they don't know, just doesn't cut it, IMO.

838 posted on 06/07/2002 8:56:58 AM PDT by Jaded
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To: UCANSEE2
It has been my personal experience that when liers are caught and forced to tell the truth, the truth comes out only one little piece at a time. I fear much more truth is to come.
839 posted on 06/07/2002 9:02:16 AM PDT by John Jamieson
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To: MizSterious
Very good speculation. I think there's going to be a VD website found. More people, more drugs, more sex to come.
840 posted on 06/07/2002 9:06:21 AM PDT by John Jamieson
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