Westerfield Jury Being Selected

Prosecutors and defense attorneys will attempt to begin picking a jury today in the capital murder trial of David Westerfield in San Diego. The 50-year-old engineer is accused of kidnapping and murdering seven-year-old Danielle van Dam. Attorneys are expected to begin questioning prospective jurors in groups of 20 from a pool of more than 250. Among other things, they must find jurors willing to impose the death sentence or life in prison without parole if Westerfield is convicted of the charges against him. Defense attorneys are expected to seek jurors who might object to the marijuana smoking and alcohol use of Danielle´s parents the night she disappeared from their Sabre Springs home. The actual trial is not expected to start until at least late next month.