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.
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.
-
Succession planning as the Dalai Lama turns 90In the Spotlight China 'determined to shape the narrative' around choice of Tibet's next spiritual leader
-
AI is creating a luxury housing renaissance in San FranciscoUnder the Radar Luxury homes in the city can range from $7 million to above $20 million
-
How carbon credits could help and hurt the climateThe explainer The credits could be allowing polluters to continue polluting
