ATTORNEY AN ADVOCATE OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Since David Westerfield's murder trial began last week, his attorney has
frequently condemned Danielle van Dam's parents for their marijuana use.

During opening statements to the San Diego jury hearing the case, Steven
Feldman mocked the van Dams by pretending to take a drag off a joint.

"They smoke a little marijuana, just like any other family," he said
sarcastically.

But outside the courtroom, Feldman is an advocate for the legalization of
marijuana. As a member of the legal committee for NORML, the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, he's one of 39 California
lawyers who defend people charged with marijuana use, sometimes for no fee.
He paid a $175 membership fee.

Bob Doyle, president of the San Diego NORML chapter, called it "an
outrageous conflict." He said he didn't realize Feldman was a member of
NORML as he watched the court proceedings on national television.

"It strikes me as an extremely polarized position that on one hand he
advocates for the legalization of marijuana, and on the other hand he
implies some sort of criminal negligence associated with the casual smoking
of marijuana among friends," Doyle said.

Feldman has criticized the van Dams' lifestyle - smoking marijuana and
engaging in extramarital sex - as part of Westerfield's defense. He has
raised questions about whether someone other than the 50-year-old Sabre
Springs design engineer could have kidnapped and killed Danielle.

"What he's doing is zealously defending his client in the best way he knows
how," said Donna Shea, NORML's legal director in Washington, D.C. "It
doesn't necessarily mean his personal beliefs have anything to do with the
defense case he puts together."

Shea said it wasn't clear how long Feldman has been volunteering on NORML's
legal committee. She said NORML, a nonprofit organization, either solicits
attorneys for the legal committee or the attorneys approach NORML and ask
to get involved. More than 350 attorneys from across the United States are
members of the legal committee.

They provide legal assistance in important cases, keep NORML apprised of
trends in law enforcement and court decisions and provide copies of
relevant legal documents. Attorneys must renew their membership annually,
and are encouraged to take one pro bono case a year.

Feldman, who is prohibited from speaking to the media about the Westerfield
trial, did not return a phone call seeking comment.