San Diego
A San Diego judge last week sentenced David Westerfield to death for the murder of his 7-year-old neighbor, Danielle van Dam. The girl was snatched from her bedroom on Feb. 2; her body was found four weeks later. Defense attorneys asked the judge not to “acquiesce to the mob mentality” by ordering Westerfield’s execution. Judge William Mudd said the crime’s brutality—Danielle’s body was found unclothed, her front teeth bashed out—sealed Westerfield’s fate. The girl’s mother, Brenda van Dam, urged Westerfield, 50, to “reclaim some decency” and apologize. “It disgusts me that your sick fantasies and pitiful needs made you think that you needed Danielle more than her family.” Westerfield declined the opportunity to speak.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Is the death penalty racist? Of course it is.'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Today's political cartoons - May 8, 2024Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - social media guilt, gag orders, and more
-
Boy Scouts changes name to Scouting AmericaSpeed Read The organization is rebranding, citing inclusivity
