Westerfield charges police, parents planted evidence
In a letter written to a friend, David Westerfield charged police or even Danielle van Dam's parents planted incriminating evidence such as the girl's blood found on his jacket to frame him for her kidnapping and murder. But prosecutors responded to the allegations by announcing that early in the investigation, Westerfield offered to lead them to Danielle's dead body in exchange for a plea deal.
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Read the letters (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Killer claims compassion
David Westerfield flunked a lie detector test in spectacular fashion last February and then told San Diego detectives it was because he had too much compassion for Danielle van Dam's family, newly released police tapes show.
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Documents suggest Westerfield videotaped neighbors
Detective convinces Westerfield to take the ploygraph
Westerfield learns he failed test
Westerfield suicidal during interrogation

Verdict: Death
Despite last-minute pleas for mercy from his defense team, David Westerfield was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam, his neighbor.
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Watch Brenda van Dam's statement in court
Watch Damon van Dam's statement in court
How different are life and death for Westerfield?

Giving thanks
The parents of Danielle van Dam thanked the jury that found their neighbor guilty of kidnapping and killing the 7-year-old girl and said they hoped their "angel" would watch over the panel.
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Jury recommends death for Westerfield

Penalty phase
A play-by-play of the jury's deliberations
Judge upholds conviction
View the jury instructions (PDF)
How different are life and death for Westerfield?
What the jury must consider
Juror falls ill
Case in jury's hands
Westerfield breaks down as sister testifies
Colleagues describe Westerfield's professional achievements
Friends praise Westerfield as father, friend
Niece says Westerfield fondled her
Teacher's memories move father to tears
See how the district's other capital cases played out
Judge bans all still photography

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Jury finds Westerfield guilty
View the verdict sheets
Watch the verdict




A play-by-play of the deliberations
Aug. 16, 2002:Jurors ask to rehear time of death testimony
Aug. 15, 2002:Jurors ask for readback of fiber testimony
Aug. 14, 2002:Jury views porn evidence, pictures
Aug. 13, 2002:Judge upholds ban on radio reporter in courtroom
Aug. 12, 2002:Jurors: Stop staring
Aug. 8, 2002: Jury begins deliberations
Aug. 7, 2002: Defense: Danielle knew her abductor
Aug. 6, 2002: Prosecutor: 'He did it'
Aug. 2, 2002: Will history repeat itself?
Aug. 2, 2002: Judge rules jury won't be sequestered




Aug. 1, 2002: Defense's final bug expert testifies
July 30, 2002: Insect expert contradicts defense witnesses
July 29, 2002: Murder, kidnapping or both?
July 25, 2002: Expert questions bug evidence
July 25, 2002: Judge warns against juror harassment
July 24, 2002: Westerfield's son testifies against him



July 22, 2002: Defense insect expert testifies
July 17, 2002: Bugs: The best witnesses?
July 15, 2002: Prosecutors hire their own entomologist
July 12, 2002: Warrant: 'A good place to dump a body'
July 12, 2002: Witness fired after testifying about drug use
July 11, 2002: Danielle's father to return to court
July 10, 2002: Bug expert shakes central prosecution theory
July 10, 2002: Westerfield's ex: 'I still care about him'
July 9, 2002: Expert: Mother's dancing could have spread fibers
July 8, 2002: Witnesses describe mother's wild night
July 8, 2002: Westerfield friend concedes trip not normal
July 3, 2002: Expert: Porn might not be Westerfield's
July 2, 2002: Defense opens case with neighbors' testimony



July 1, 2002: The prosecution's case: Airtight?
June 26, 2002: Jury views RV
June 25, 2002: Jury sees graphic child pornography
June 25, 2002: Single fiber strand could decide case
June 24, 2002: More fibers found in bedroom
June 20, 2002: Expert says blood stains match Danielle's DNA
June 19, 2002: Danielle's fingerprints found in RV
June 19, 2002: Crime technician talks of hair, fingerprints
June 18, 2002: Victim's mom bolts from courtroom
June 17, 2002: Drycleaners: Westerfield not himself
June 17, 2002: Witnesses describe Westerfield's conflicting accounts
June 14, 2002: Reporter's notebook: Dear Judge...
June 13, 200: Witnesses: Westerfield appeared strange at campsite
June 12, 2002: Westerfield's long, strange trip
June 12, 2002: Neighbors testify about Westerfield's whereabouts
June 11, 2001: Westerfield appeared nervous when questioned
June 10, 2002: Friend: Westerfield seemed "creepy"
June 9, 2002: Meet the parents: Defense goes after the van Dams
June 6, 2002: Mother testifies
June 5, 2002: Father testifies



June 4, 2002: Prosecutor reveals new evidence
May 17, 2002:Jury selection kicks off trial



Preliminary hearing determines neighbor to be tried
A three-day hearing that ultimately determined there was enough evidence for David Westerfield to stand trial brought out details about the sex lives and drug use of the victim's parents as well as testimony that blood found on the defendant's jacket and in his car matched Danielle's DNA.
March 14, 2002: Parents' drug use, sex lives steal focus
March 12, 2002: Blood, prints put slain girl in suspect's RV
March 11, 2002: Officer: Westerfield nervous, his alibi strange



May 8, 2002: Judge seals documents regarding parents' lifestyle
Feb. 26, 2002: Prosecutors may seek death penalty



March 1, 2002: Autopsy confirms identity
Feb. 28, 2002: Body found believed to be missing girl
Feb. 25, 2002: San Diego girl apparently dead, prosecutor says
Feb. 22, 2002: Police arrest suspect
Feb. 14, 2002: California police search neighbor's house again
Feb. 11, 2002: Parents of missing offer $25,000 reward
Feb. 8, 2002: Neighbor of missing California girl hires lawyer
Feb. 6, 2002: Search for missing girl focuses on neighbor
Feb. 5, 2002: Parents of missing San Diego girl appeal for return