Twenty years ago David Westerfield was convicted of kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Danielle van Dam whose family lived two doors away in Sabre Springs. Danielle disappeared from her bedroom sometime during the night of Feb. The reading of verdicts began about a. The first Extra rolled off the press shortly after 1 pm. By p. California Supreme Court upholds Westerfield death sentence for murder, kidnapping 7-year-old girlWesterfield is on death row at San Quentin State Prison.
Ending nine days of deliberations, the jury announced late this morning that Westerfield is guilty of abducting and killing 7-year-old Danielle, who was reported missing from her Sabre Springs home Feb. Her body was found Feb. The same panel of six men and six women must now decide whether to recommend that Westerfield be executed for the crimes or spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
They said Westerfield, a neighbor, kidnapped and sexually assaulted Danielle before killing her. As he had virtually throughout the trial, Westerfield sat stone-faced and expressionless as the verdict was announced.
Damon van Dam leaned over and hugged his wife, who buried her head in his shoulder. As the other two verdicts were rendered, Brenda van Dam clasped hands with her husband and family friend Susan Wintersteen. The distraught parents were escorted into an elevator by bailiffs as soon as the minute court session ended. Even before the verdict was entered, defense attorney Steven Feldman requested additional time to prepare for the penalty phase.
Prosecutor Jeff Dusek immediately objected, saying that the jury deserves to wrap up their obligations as soon as possible. Across the county, office workers, shoppers and others planted themselves in front of televisions to listen to the verdicts, which were broadcast live shortly after 11 a. There were six television cameras and two newspaper photographers taking pictures of five patrons and two co-owners.
