Gag Order Is Imposed in Kidnap-Murder Case
With a preliminary hearing set for Monday, a judge issued a gag order Friday on attorneys, police and other officials involved in the case of David Westerfield, accused of kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.
The order by Superior Court Judge H. Ronald Domnitz prohibits defense and prosecution counsel and others from discussing the case.
A gag order had been requested by Westerfield’s attorney but opposed by San Diego County Dist. Atty. Paul Pfingst.
Pfingst and San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano held news conferences after Westerfield’s arrest, and said DNA evidence linked Westerfield to the killing.
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