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CNN Live Today

Testimony Continues in Danielle van Dam Case

Aired June 06, 2002 - 14:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We now want to take you back to the trial in San Diego, the trial for David Westerfield. He is standing trial there for the murder of young Danielle van Dam, a little girl who was his neighbor. Earlier this morning, as a matter of fact, just up until a few minutes go, Danielle van Dam's mother, Brenda van Dam, was testifying. And here is what she had to say just moments ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRENDA VAN DAM, DANIELLE VAN DAM'S MOTHER: I started to crack eggs to make breakfast and then I realized that she had not gone up to get Danielle up. So I told her I would do it myself.

UNIDENTIFIED LAWYER: Did you?

VAN DAM: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED LAWYER: What did you do?

VAN DAM: I walked upstairs and I went into her room.

UNIDENTIFIED LAWYER: Do you remember if her door was open or closed?

VAN DAM: It was open.

UNIDENTIFIED LAWYER: How was it the last time you had seen the door?

VAN DAM: It was closed.

UNIDENTIFIED LAWYER: You walked into the room. What did you see?

VAN DAM: Just her bed.

UNIDENTIFIED LAWYER: You didn't see her?

VAN DAM: No.

UNIDENTIFIED LAWYER: What did you do?

VAN DAM: I went into the bathroom to see if she was in there, because sometimes she would get up and sit in there for a little while. And she wasn't in there. And then I asked Damon if she had slept in her own bed because sometimes she liked to sleep in Derek's (ph) room. He has two beds. And he said no, she should be in her room.

And I said, well she's not. And I started looking around the house and looking at other beds and looking in the closets. And Damon came upstairs and he started looking with me. We were yelling out her name. And then we went downstairs. Damon went out front and I went out back. We couldn't find her.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: That was Brenda van Dam there describing to those assembled there in the courtroom what happened the morning after she discovered that Danielle van Dam was missing.

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