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American Morning
Defense Finishes Closing Arguments in Defense of David Westerfield
Aired August 08, 2002 - 08:30 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The defense has finished closing arguments in their defense of David Westerfield. He's the man accused of murdering 7-year-old Danielle Van Dam. The prosecution began calling rebuttal witnesses yesterday, should continue today.
Thelma Gutierrez now in San Diego as the trial nears an end, and is with us live now.
Thelma, good morning.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
You're right, the prosecution will begin and continue throughout the morning with its rebuttal arguments later this morning, but yesterday the defense dramatically wrapped up closing arguments, and, Bill, it took a full five hours.
Now, the defense attorney Steven Sullivan summarized his case, saying -- with several reasons, saying his client is not guilty. He says David Westerfield is a design engineer with no motive or prior history. He questioned the access Westerfield had to Danielle Van Dam back in February, and argued that a time of death could not be established.
Now Feldman told jurors that these are all powerful argument for reasonable doubt.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVEN FELDMAN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: You got to be objective, folks. In the face of the intensity of the emotion, please, two reasonable interpretations. The case is only a circumstantial evidence case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: During the prosecution's rebuttal arguments, prosecutor Jeff Dusek told jurors the defense had misstated the evidence, and that all the evidence points to David Westerfield's guilt.
Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: Thelma, thank you. Thelma Gutierrez in Southern California.
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