Victim´s Mother Testifies In Westerfield Trial

The mother of Danielle van Dam broke down in tears as she began testifying today in the trial of a neighbor accused of kidnapping and murdering the seven-year-old. Brenda van Dam regained her composure and testified that defendant David Westerfield bought her and friends a drink at a bar early on the morning of her daughter´s disappearance. She said she smoked marijuana before leaving home that night. Early on in the third day of trial, Westerfield´s defense attorney questioned the medical examiner´s estimate of when Danielle died. He suggests that Danielle was killed and her body dumped while Westerfield was under police surveillance. David Westerfield is accused of taking Danielle from her Sabre Springs bedroom and killing her. He has plead innocent and could face the death penalty if convicted. The trial is expected to last into mid-July.