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Laundry, Videotapes, Lubricant Seized From Westerfield Home

Day 10 Begins With Focus On Evidence

POSTED: 11:58 am PDT June 19, 2002
UPDATED: 4:21 pm PDT June 19, 2002

Laundry, videotapes and lubricant were among the items seized during a search of David Westerfield's house several days after his 7-year-old neighbor was discovered missing, an evidence specialist said Wednesday.

Danielle van Dam, David Westerfield
WESTERFIELD TRIAL
DANIELLE VAN DAM 1994-2002
Karen LeAlcala, a forensic specialist with the San Diego Police Department, testified that she searched Westerfield's Sabre Springs home with other detectives beginning early on the morning of Feb. 5.

LeAlcala said she took laundry from a washing machine and a dryer, including a pair of medium-sized gray and black boxer shorts, which were introduced as a court exhibit.

Deputy District Attorney George "Woody" Clarke had the witness open the evidence envelope and display the shorts, but their significance was not immediately explained.

LeAlcala said white sheets were found in the washing machine, and shirts and towels were stacked on top of the dryer.

"I believe they were damp," she testified.

LeAlcala also said she seized three compact discs and three zip disks from an office in Westerfield's house, videotapes from the master bedroom and a bottle of ID Juicy Lube -- a lubricant for use in sexual activity -- from the headboard of his bed.

In Westerfield's garage, she testified she found trash cans containing an empty bottle of bleach and a ball of lint.

In previous court proceedings, the prosecution has said Danielle van Dam's hair was found in lint in the garage.

Westerfield, 50, faces murder, kidnapping and misdemeanor possession of child pornography charges. He will face the death penalty if convicted.

The defendant was arrested Feb. 22. Danielle's nude body was found east of El Cajon five days later.

Earlier Wednesday, Detective James Tomsovic completed his testimony.

Video
Tomsovic told the jury Tuesday that he was present when a fingerprint that authorities say belonged to the girl was found on a cabinet above the bed in Westerfield's motor home.

"How visible was it?" prosecutor Jeff Dusek asked the detective.

"It was plainly visible," Tomsovic said.

A San Diego police print examiner testified at Westerfield's preliminary hearing that the latent print lifted from the motor home cabinet belonged to Danielle.

Jury Doing Good Job, Judge Says

The judge in the trial said he believes the jury is doing a good job in avoiding media coverage of the case.

"I am firmly convinced that self-policing is going to work," Superior Court Judge William Mudd told the panel before testimony began. "Everything that I have seen has so indicated."

During jury instructions when the trial started, he gave several suggestions for avoiding media coverage and occasionally has provided updates on his impressions of what has been in TV and newspaper reports.

Mudd also reacted to a story in The San Diego Union-Tribune concerning his trial conduct. The story centers on the levity he sometimes offers to lower the tension in a stressful case. He often mentions the Padres and frequently jokes about county facilities.

"I make no apologies for those," Mudd said.

He told the jury he thinks of himself as a shepherd and the panelists as his flock. He said he wants to make sure their service is a rewarding experience.


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