David Westerfield just got the Death penalty, for killing 7 yr. old Danielle Van Dam. Earlier today, the jury sent a note to the judge saying that they were deadlocked (between death & life w/out parole), and wanted advice on what to do next. They were supposed to come into court at 1:30pm to officially tell him they were deadlocked.. then just before that, they said that they wanted more time to deliberate, and 10 minutes later they decided "death". Just after the verdict was read, the jury was polled... and jurors # 1 & 2 both had to leave the courtroom because they were too upset (obviously they were the ones who were holding out).

I watched Westerfield to see his reaction when the verdict was read, and although he was shaking (not just when it was read, but before- although he has shaken like that the entire trial), his only real reaction was to gulp. Man, I felt bad.. I can't imagine what it would be like to be told that you are going to die- not because you're sick, but because the government is going to kill you. Doesn't really change my opinion on the death penalty, but it must be horrible to have to face.