San Diego
A California jury this week recommended the death penalty for David Westerfield, who was convicted last month of killing his 7-year-old neighbor, Danielle van Dam. Danielle’s nude, decomposed body was found a month after she was snatched from her bedroom in February. Westerfield attracted suspicion when he took a trip in his motor home the day after the kidnapping. Police later found child pornography on his computer, but prosecutors said the “smoking gun” came when investigators discovered traces of Danielle’s blood and hair on Westerfield’s jacket, in his bedroom, and in his motor home. A judge will make a final decision on the sentence in November. Defense lawyer Steven Feldman said Westerfield doesn’t deserve to die. “He’s a good man but for one three-day weekend of terror,” Feldman said.
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