About this site
This web site and blog is designed as a home for the "twenty percenters" who have quietly -- or not so quietly -- believed for over a decade that David Westerfield is an innocent man, railroaded into a wrongful conviction by law enforcement (LE) and who, along with his lawyers, was grossly defamed by his own community and the media.
Many people are surprised to learn that Westerfield's case is not just a "death penalty case" but is also a wrongful conviction and even a civil rights case. (If you are offended by thoughts of his innocence this site is probably not the place for you.)
The press has been only too happy to remind a vengeful public that death is in the offing; but there has been little or no coverage for the unpopular notion that Westerfield might have been innocent. My purpose here is simply to explain our position to those who don't understand it, rather than "argue the case" all over again. This is a position statement, if you will.
The current interest in the California death penalty tends to be a somewhat remote and abstract matter focused on Sacramento politics; but a wrongful conviction instead looks directly at the acts of local figures.
In 2002 these included: an overzealous police force under pressure to "solve the mystery" of a missing child; an ambitious District Attorney actively campaigning for re-election; the DA's "twin" in the courtroom, a dapper but insouciant prosecutor; a congenial but myopic judge; and a severely exploited and manipulated jury.
The "street view" somehow managed to prevail over the courtroom rules, and that should never have happened. It was the Mistrial of the Century, in my opinion.
A wrongful conviction is a civil rights concern that directs criticism to local authorities who made errors or acted badly. Violations of such rights are not "technicalities" designed to free the guilty. They are violations of an American citizen's basic constitutional rights -- even for a once successful and affluent white man living in Suburbia.
Every American citizen is guaranteed the right to a fair trial. Westerfield did not receive a fair trial. His case is currently under appeal before the California Supreme Court on multiple grounds.
Many people are surprised to learn that Westerfield's case is not just a "death penalty case" but is also a wrongful conviction and even a civil rights case. (If you are offended by thoughts of his innocence this site is probably not the place for you.)
The press has been only too happy to remind a vengeful public that death is in the offing; but there has been little or no coverage for the unpopular notion that Westerfield might have been innocent. My purpose here is simply to explain our position to those who don't understand it, rather than "argue the case" all over again. This is a position statement, if you will.
The current interest in the California death penalty tends to be a somewhat remote and abstract matter focused on Sacramento politics; but a wrongful conviction instead looks directly at the acts of local figures.
In 2002 these included: an overzealous police force under pressure to "solve the mystery" of a missing child; an ambitious District Attorney actively campaigning for re-election; the DA's "twin" in the courtroom, a dapper but insouciant prosecutor; a congenial but myopic judge; and a severely exploited and manipulated jury.
The "street view" somehow managed to prevail over the courtroom rules, and that should never have happened. It was the Mistrial of the Century, in my opinion.
A wrongful conviction is a civil rights concern that directs criticism to local authorities who made errors or acted badly. Violations of such rights are not "technicalities" designed to free the guilty. They are violations of an American citizen's basic constitutional rights -- even for a once successful and affluent white man living in Suburbia.
Every American citizen is guaranteed the right to a fair trial. Westerfield did not receive a fair trial. His case is currently under appeal before the California Supreme Court on multiple grounds.
Site map: The more current or newsworthy items are located under the left-hand tabs; the case summaries and older information are found under the right-hand tabs; informational books and links are in the middle.
Watching a death penalty case proceed through the courts is like watching grass grow: this site will change and evolve on a regular basis, but not rapidly. Please return often to view new additions and changes. -- Kayle
Watching a death penalty case proceed through the courts is like watching grass grow: this site will change and evolve on a regular basis, but not rapidly. Please return often to view new additions and changes. -- Kayle
About the author
This could be me on a really good hair day.
Kayle Brooks is originally from Cleveland, Ohio; has BA from Ohio University (Athens OH), with some graduate work in Linguistics and a minor in art.
Worked as preschool director, educational testing specialist, Methodist missionary, English teacher. Lived in Albuquerque NM and published a book on Southwestern handcrafts.
Moved to San Diego and worked as administrative asst. to physicians and biomedical researchers at UCSD School of Medicine; was editorial asst. at peer-reviewed biomedical research journal for final five years at UCSD.
After serving as a felony juror in San Diego, Kayle became interested in Criminal Justice matters, especially jury issues, wrongful convictions, civil rights of the accused, and especially the role of media and community in high-profile cases. Kayle considers her perspective on the Westerfield case to be a kind of "sociological" view.
Married with two grown children, one grandchild. Retired.
Currently: genealogist/ social historian, nature painter, writer/blogger. Enjoys non-fiction writing and reading. Maintains four web sites on a variety of subjects.
Worked as preschool director, educational testing specialist, Methodist missionary, English teacher. Lived in Albuquerque NM and published a book on Southwestern handcrafts.
Moved to San Diego and worked as administrative asst. to physicians and biomedical researchers at UCSD School of Medicine; was editorial asst. at peer-reviewed biomedical research journal for final five years at UCSD.
After serving as a felony juror in San Diego, Kayle became interested in Criminal Justice matters, especially jury issues, wrongful convictions, civil rights of the accused, and especially the role of media and community in high-profile cases. Kayle considers her perspective on the Westerfield case to be a kind of "sociological" view.
Married with two grown children, one grandchild. Retired.
Currently: genealogist/ social historian, nature painter, writer/blogger. Enjoys non-fiction writing and reading. Maintains four web sites on a variety of subjects.