One of the jurors finally declared. No other shooter involved in her case. No. She could have stayed on the side of the road. She had no priors and no history of violence in prison. She was the first to admit that at times, she was somewhat neglectful, impatient, yelled too much, and could have been a better mother, but she seemed to have turned the corner and was doing her best with the means at her disposal. Thats why Diane wouldnt agree to marry unless Knick first signed a premarital agreement that when they divorced, Knick would take nothing from their marriage. Her power to manipulate is why she is where she is to begin with. But unfortunately, Diane's parents never approved of the relationship as they had high hopes for their daughter's future, which they did not see in Steve. Sheriffs Deputy Roy Pond admitted in court that he had already concluded that Diane was guilty and stopped following leads on the orders of his sergeantthree weeks after the shooting. why didn t steve downs get custody - Central Texas Gardening Blog And the motive? You need to have your own voice," she said. Foote then handled the juvenile docket and first encountered Downs when he ordered her two surviving children into state protective custody. 5. She was in solitary confinement for years and even escaped from prison once but was recaptured. This test confirmed Diane had not held a gun. Page 40 of Case History. She threw her keys yet was able to take off right away?? So many of the cases Lise writes about on this blog either have no forensic evidence that supports the verdict or have very misleading forensic evidence that may or may not support the verdict, depending on who is interpreting it. The underlying basis of this article. Two wrongs do not make a right but illustrates that she should have never been coerced before, during or after the trial. The diagnosis of the psychiatrist for the state is also clearly documented. She had a more than competent attorney and a fair trial before a jury and NOT the same judge who handled the childrens matters. But what happened to Diane Downs' husband? Maybe that her mom was obviously not well after spending her life in prison so it would have been a good idea to meet the Downss family quietly and get the jest of it. It appeared rigged: Rigged? Copyright 2023 Distractify. The child was adopted and was later named Rebecca. I must humbly admit that I had not questioned the facts of the case before readily accepting this image of Diane as a cold blooded killer. The crucial point is that she is so void of emotion. That was the extent of her investigation of Dianes side. The State had the same gut feeling and made sure she would pay. Plus, you do not let a newly appointed judge to criminal cases, preside over a high profile murder case when he has no experience whatsoever and has already prejudged the defendant dangerous to her children. And they kept at her and made suggestions when she would not implicate her mom. The previous video you sent me shows a Jagger pretty animated and involved in the defense of his client. Maybe dad relinquished, it sounds like he may have. 20 female celebrities with black hair to follow in 2023, 10 most famous QVC hosts who were fired or left the channel. I found nothing. Much worse. Its as if they cant control it. Would you seriously be confident enough to present your findings you mention in your article to Diane Downs children? Simply because I researched them. That they did not test the outside of the car? The court can just do an APR, Assignment of Parental Rights. After completing high school, Steve Downs went to join the Navy while Elizabeth Diane attended the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College. Ffs maybe u should go back to writing screenplays. If not from her high profile status, she would already be out. They sure forgot to tell us about her pulse racing during these sessions. She did diagnose her as suffering from cyclothymic disorder and treated her accordingly. PAY ATTENTION: Click 'See First' under 'Follow' Tab to see Tuko.co.ke news on your FB Feed, Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Kenya, Kenyans Share Hilarious Memes, Frustrations as KPLC Announces Nationwide Power Blackout, Xtian Dela's Mum Cries Bitterly As She Begs Son to Come Home, Says She's Not Seen Him in 4 Years, Linet Toto's Dowry: 7 Delectable Photos from MP's Negotiation Ceremony, Couple Lose KSh 3.4m on Their Wedding After Guests Don't Show Up: "So Heartbroken", Little Girl Begs Man on the Road for Money, Video Surprises Many, David and Rebecca Muir wedding, relationship, and family, Who is Lil Meech's mom? why didn't steve downs get custody. And with hindsight, the fact that this young mother had a personality disorder probably brought a lot of drama to the mix. Steve was the one who left Diane because he believed that Stephen Daniel, known as Danny, was the result of an extramarital affair that Diane had. (Feature Image Credit: ABC News / 20/20). Below this letter see links to Salem-News.com articles about the questionable conviction of Diane Downs. I am not biased. 2) You mention her youngest daughter, and how Ann made sure she only heard negative information about Diane. In the moment of who shot youmy momhave a hard time believing that could be coached. The prosecutor would gently shake his head and the good judge would follow with a ruling. Not that Dianes mental health was not a factor in her letter, but it was definitely taken out of context in some instances. I think it would give the blog more integrity and transparency. He knows as he was in court and must have photos. Just saw the video of Dianes parole hearing. Foote refused 30 to 50 reports by detectives of sightings or leads about the shooter but admitted reports from people in Arizona willing to badmouth Diane. Anne Rule made a big deal of a brass unicorn engraved with the childrens names that Diane had purchased. I will talk to Dianes brother. The circumstances surrounding the crimes against these innocent children demand to be used as evidence.. My comment to you Lise is about your reply to a previous comment where you say Diane should have been released by now regardless of her statements. Mrs. Fredericksons concern for her daughters emotional state was well placed. Diane didnt ask Knick to leave his wife. Go to the hate groups for that. Theybrought out the big guns to unload on the public, their idea of the truth: Diane Downs was a horrible creature and a jilted lover who shot her three children in cold blood to be free to pursue a relationship with the man she was obsessed with. It goes on and on. Are her parents still living (I know they were a few years ago)? She may be highly vulnerable to losing control of her emotions in emotionally charged situations, creating faulty judgment and ineffective and inappropriate behavior. In 2008, a psych evaluation by L. Williams, Ph.D., Chief of Mental Health at Valley State Prison for Women, explained Dianes lack of emotions and its relationship to her case. I do not believe that this type of abuse would occur today. If Hugi got attached to the children, why did he wait 2 years when little Christie was starting to say she had no clue who shot them? It was very unfair to raise them away from their grandparents and other blood relatives. A prosecutor inventing a new psychiatric category in court and labeling the accused is kind of unsettling. 5. I did not shoot my children.. The trial was a whole miscarriage, that seems undeniable. It had nothing to do with the evidence of the case and represents useless labeling anyway. Did Anyone Watch 20/20 Last Night? - Page 3 - Blogs & Forums - QVC The fact that the accused in this case was atypical, makes her the perfect target. If the media was anything at the time it was favorable towards her. On her way to the hospital,she was followed by someone who said she was going slow, but Diane said she was driving fairly fast. 7 chilling clues in case of Diane Downs after she told cops a stranger No forensic evidence pointing to her, just conjecture based on how mothers should act. Robert and Diane even decided toget matching rose tattoos, but as soon as the ink on her tattoo was dry, he refused to get his done. Why did CK shoot the kids multiple times and DD once? He hired Jim Jagger on the 1st of June 1983, 11 days after the shooting. It became judicial kidnapping to obtain a coerced confession. She was no mother of the year, I will grant them that, but a trial is supposed to be based on evidence. I remember when it was in the news. I've just seen that in Halo's new tv series, Steve Downes isn't going I appreciate the way you dont try to determine guilt or innocence in your blogs but instead focus on due process and the right of all to a fair trial. Even if they say that she did not get involved in rehabilitation programs, she did participate, but obviously did not admit to killing her daughter and injuring the others. Diane Downs' ex husband, Steve Downs, lost a lot in May 1983 when his ex wife shot their three children, following their divorce in 1980. It was not unlike brainwashing. It is a research done on the case according to many sources. Pay attention: Become TUKO.co.ke ambassador get a branded T-shirt, hoodie or water bottle at our TUKO Shop! And the fatal shooting of her children by her wife in 1983 didn't do much to put him in the limelight. The whole case is crazy. He has lived a life outside the public eye and hasnt ever come out to give interviews to the media about his ex-wife. And she would have been under supervision. There have been behaviors that in the general course of events one may expect from a single parent that in a way have been falsely interpreted as being some form of evil.. It was the story of Diane Downs. Mr. There is so much to say about this blog I wouldnt know where to start. I watched and worried through her escapeto find her childrens real attackerthat bushy haired stranger . Just similar stuff.and that I guess, makes it easy for me to see how that song could of fueled her up.never underestimate the power if a song..what feels intense and exciting to you, may not to another, but shoot, anytime I hear pink floyd run like hell.takes me right back 1991 in the heat of my chase..for me, I got the answers I wanted from 89 when my friend said that about the Duran song and it involved in that case. That makes no sense. She is still in prison. After each of the kids was shot multiple times on that fateful day in 1983, Steve cooperated with the police completely. Christie was born in October of 1974 and Cheryl Lynn in January of 1976. The prosecutor and his wife adopted both children that survived and although the boy is paralyzed and in a wheelchair, they trived with their new parents. I wanted to ask you something on this case. 4.Diane was NOT arrested for almost a year after the shootings the d.a. Brewer stood ready to testify in June 1991, that it was because of Prosecutor Hugis lie that he changed his mind to convict and that he alone was responsible for silencing the dissenting votes of two other jurors (Appendix 97). Libby, I quoted what Diane said. Who was Burt Reynolds married to when he died and who inherited his estate? Even more now with hindsight because of the gun and the fact that her daughter kind of recanted by demonstrating that if pushed, she will say what is expected of her. Also, she became pregnant without Steve Downs' permission. In 1984, the lead prosecutor in the Danie case, Fred Hugi and his wife, Joanne, chose to adopt the children (Christie and Danny). Yes, like many Americans, I think that the US system is barbaric. This case certainly had its share of circumstantial evidence. Click here to read the complaint. You do not refute any of the points I made in the blogs. It was such a high profile case and she was found guilty by the media and the court so people are afraid to touch this one. I almost felt bad for her.that being she seemed so lost in her lies..she just hangs in limbo now. Rule sued the Seattle Weekly after they published the article titled , Ann Rule promotes her books as true crime stories so to this day, viewers believe that the book and the movie titled, This reminds me of what a jail counselor named Rachel Roth said at the trial of Debra Milke , They already had made up their mind that Diane was the perpetrator so they laughed off the idea of the , When I hear some people say that they would have liked to smack that smirk off Dianes face when she interacted with the cops or the media, I say. I dont know that it could get worse than writing an asinine comment on a restorative justice website that states that only respectful and constructive comments will be posted. Why didnt they mention that he said a bad man and whatever else in his condition when they knew it was not possible? Not an easy situation for him as I would imagine. To Lori But for what it is worth, I believe she tried to kill her 3 kids. He asked her for the car keys and she pretended to throw them away to distract him. Diane found a full-time job with the U.S. Post Office in 1981, and was stationed in Chandler. In reply to Nick. It seems like Steve and Diane were meant to be together. But you sure did comment like a true asshole, huh? Diane was found guilty and sentenced to life and she has been in prison ever since. It was all about Charlene wanting KnickKnick ~wanting Dianeand Diane wanting a return to the peace she had before Knick asked his wife for a divorce. I just tried to find a video or article about Hugi and I only get the one or two that I already have. To listen to Christies taped conversation, click below. Some 287 errors and falsehoods were documented by Liysa and verified by official sources. I am glad that some articles remain. The reason Im harsh is because Ive detected that youve paid for this site and therefore cant be wrong. They dont need to be adopted and have their entire identity changed. Of course I saw movie first, then read the bookI wanted more, sadly early Internet days, there wasnt much out there, as far as info or video, picturesnothing really. I changed the sites email recently to thetroublewithjustice@hotmail.com It was a fairly new science at the time so thats all it took to find him not guilty. I encourage you to read all the facts before being so sure that she was guilty or that she acted alone. Same with her brother. She goes on to say that she has deep regret and mourns the loss and death of her children. The gun is Def a big issue, the style of gun, whether it belonged to him or her, she Def had access to itthe child drew a picture of it, having large similarity to that gunbut it did always baffle me how she could find such a great hide for it in such a short period of time. This is basically the book best kept secrets in condensed form full of outlandish theories. How one of them lied on the stand about ballistics? The kids were shorted-changed. Reasonable doubt is most certainly lacking. Not our place to decide. They rarely get a break. You are not the only one who thinks she is guilty and I know that getting their man at all cost is a popular mantra, but I disagree. A history of use of drugs, alcohol or even cigarettes can all be deemed as counts against a parent in court. If they could not find the gun or any trace of a shooting on Diane, and you think shes guilty, it would mean she had an accomplice. Mostly, because it was poorly investigated and they focused on Diane solely the minute they met her. To have separated Christie from her brother and the rest of the family to be able to get her mom was unconscionable. The man you have listed as Fred Hugi is actually Dianes attorney Jim Jagger. I am publishing your comment because once in a while, I need to post the pitiful representation of true crime readers who made Anne Rule a rich author. The fact that there was a rush to judgment, an investigation targeting only one result and a media coverage often presenting lies is very bothersome. Is it too late to respond to this? Here's everything you need to know. I couldnt get my hands on the book nor find anything in librariesso basically it was many years later I dove into knowing more about this case, that kinda haunted me. When analysing this blog, look at three statements from the blogger: Diane Downs and Alice Crummins were considered sluts Unfortunately, Danny Downs was permanently paralyzed from the waist down because of a bullet injury in his back. So, how much do you know about him aside from this acting profile? Not meaning to sound disrespectful, but you seem to be doing what you accuse Ann Rule of doing. And some are even contradictory: shes mentally ill, but also not mentally ill; the site owner wants to focus on pure facts, yet ignore other facts; things happened in court, but those are irrelevant to what else what also happened in court, etc. Another conflict of interest. I think DD is guilty, but I also think her trial was far from due process, and that is the important issue. It was not the right gun. I just read your opinion on the Pamela Smart case and the Scott Peterson case. I still dont buy her story. And in fact this would have been about the time that Charlene broke a bottle of liquor that you had. So I did not post your comment about his answer to your inquiry. We dont know. But, we cant help but notice that a few key individuals of her family, so to speak, didnt give those insightful interviews. Is Diane really a threat anymore? It will not make me popular, but I dont mind. She also underwent a gun residue test that same evening that revealed no trace of gun powder on her hands. The circumstances surrounding the case were not enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If you use this mixed water, you can lift off a gunpowder stain.. In her book Heart Full of Lies, Rule took so many liberties with the facts that Liysa Northon sued her. I think it posible she brought the kids there to be shot by someone else. I watched the highlights of her hearing. Lack of impulse control is also another symptom that might explain why a mother would stop at night to help a stranger flagging her on the road. There is a court sketch artists rendering of him in this video. It would be about November 20th that you would have gone back with Charlene, what, the next day? Judges are subject to certain ethical standards and have a duty to be impartial. time it was the situation was down. This is a fascinating and informative article that has answered some questions I had, and prompted others: 1. Danny has kept a low profile, and not much about his life like family, marriage, and children are in public. Diane herself stated Cheryl was asleep on the front floorboard completely covered up with Dianes jacket how the hell did a stranger or a hitman(one of Dianes OTHER stories) KNOW Cheryl was there. But I am realistic. Did Danny Downs, Steve Downs' son, remain paralyzed? Its a fact. The question is of course, how can we determine guilt or innocence without a fair trial? Unfortunately, there isn't much information about his whereabouts as he keeps a low profile. At the point Diane jumped into the car, her broken arm (resting in a sling in front of her) slammed into the steering wheel. What about the affidavits of the guy who confessed to several people? In 1991, David Brewer, a juror who deliberated Dianes fate in her 1984 trial, came forward to say he and another juror had decided to acquit Downs by the close of the States presentation. did he have eyes in the back of his head.???? After the trial that convicted Diane Downs, Fred Hugi, the Prosecutor adopted Christie and Danny (they were in foster care for 2 years before he decided to adopt them), the two surviving children. This coercion came to Dianes attention in January 1989 (Appendix 39). Page 41 of case history. Child Protective Services takes confidentiality to the extreme (warranted in most cases). I dont disagree, I just think it is another example of flaws in our justice system. Her three small children, Christie, 8; Cheryl, 7; and Danny, 3 . Detective Antoine also performed a trace metal test on Diane I S hands to detect the presence of trace metals left after someone has touched or held something metallic like a gun (Appendix 65). Needless to say, you seem to have a problem with the American justice systemnot each individual case. Plus, the circumstances of this charade were more than sinister. Tis why at 10 years old I was hearing about this case in Ohio, and family members talked about it around me.it hit with great force that way. During cross-examination, she said that she witnessed the murders while sitting up and that Cheryl was sitting up on the front seat when she got shot. But I think that in all fairness, many of them dont even know the details of the case and have watched Small Sacrifices instead. He needed, now more than ever, to vacate the area asap. 1) Gunshot residue/blood splatter. Rule defended her right to earn a living and to tell her story. However, when all the details came to be understood by the police, Steve found out what really happened to his kids. So imagine when you are troubled to begin with. Indeed, Diane Down's murder case was a shocker for detectives. Nobody knows but her. Except for Paul Cortez. GSR can easily fall off just by brushing your hand against a surface. As for where he is now, we'll be honest, we're not completely sure. So it looks and sounds like she is getting special treatment because of her notoriety. Robert Knickerbocker Now: Where is Diane Downs' Love Interest Today? that you told Diane to tell steve that she was Knicks We could say that it was suggestive on his part, but considering how this trial was conducted, I tend to believe it happened. She has been in prison for so long that we dont know what her mental health situation is so it is a moot point for me. Hardly circumstantial or coincidental what are the chances that a bushy haired stranger, masked men, or someone that knew her (take your pick from Dianes ever shifting account) would have the exact same bullets matching to bullets from a gun owned by Diane ? On May 19, 1983, Diane and her kids visited a friend to look at her new horse, and then went for a drive; not at all unusual for this family not living according to middle class rules. It is normally done (in fact in many jurisdictions, can ONLY be done) by going through the process in a different state or county then the one the applicant works with. According to The Cinemaholic, Steve was found to not be a good fit to care for his kids who would need specialized care and had been through a very traumatic event. According to various sources, Steve chose to separate from his wife after discovering that Stephen Daniel, their third child, was the product of her wife's relationship with a colleague. The fact that the judge who presided over the child welfare case and the criminal case was the same individual is absolutely a conflict of interest. But I would not know what her state of mind is because I did not witness it. There is her story, the prosecution case and the defense arguments. Maybe because of her notoriety and the victims were children. The unicorn, the song, her personality. In 1984, Diane was convicted of the death and injuries of her children, and she was sentenced to life in prison. Sometimes it takes until late in life for connections to be made again. Diane wanted to wait for her daughter to feel better, be accompanied by an expert and have the meetings taped? I do not have to put any statement advising people that I am about to present the neglected aspects of the trial. The harm done to families by unscrupulous district attorneys who bully children into falsely testifying against their parents has been recorded in a documentary called Witch Hunt by Sean Penn about Kern County (CA) District Attorney Ed Jagels. Plus according to an expert at trial, her testimony did not match the blood spatter analysis in the car. They should have taken the time necessary to find enough evidence. Even prosecutor Fred Hugi was seen walking the grounds to try to find the weapon. 1. During Dianes examination at trial, Fred Hugi said in front of the jury, in the form of a question, that she had been diagnosed as a , Anne Rule made a big deal of a brass unicorn engraved with the childrens names that Diane had purchased. You do not have to agree with my general opinion outside of the facts of the case, but I would appreciate some comments on what matters; how this case was handled at trial and during the investigation. They rarely are, especially in the US. Diane Downs is no exception. They hardly investigated any other lead after a couple of weeks. Of course buying drugs with three kids in the middle of the night from a guy like that is not the mindful thing to do, but would be more consistent as an explanation for her actions. Children imitate their parents every move. I see that Downs had a parole hearing in late 2020 but I cant see the outcome. The time was spent waiting for the clock to tick down the final seconds for all appeals to the parental termination to be allowed. Yet in their mind, she was already guilty. Apparently drug mafia wanted to punish her for messing her nose in forbidden places, not because she was getting any real business in that but simply because she had one of the poorest judgements a person can have. So how she behaved at the time, should not have been a factor influencing the authorities. The authorities believed that the children's father was not a good fit to look after the children after what they had endured when their mother tried to murder them. Not speculative? So Mark, where are you from? More reason to have investigated the case more thoroughly. why didn't steve downs get custody - Arrowmtn.com I had never heard of this case before I read her book (Im not from or do not live in the USA), but I found myself constantly despairing at the authors unfounded judgements and wild suppositions. The children were in the hospital, it isnt like they could have taken them home. Her son ended up in jail and ONeils children accused him of neglect and bad parenting. Or can have an accomplice. We already know that. A new trial would be out of the question, so to me, parole would be the solution. It sounds like this was not the case with Dianes children. The whole blog claims the trial was flawed. The innocence project gets so many requests and they have limited resources. Of course. The two mental disorders that cause excessive talking are Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Her children were obviously more severely injuredbecause being captive in the car while a shooter aimed at them gave them less of a chance to wiggle out of the situation than an adult outside the car. Seems like she was her worst enemy. She was fighting back and they did not like it. One of the flaws was the relationship between the DA and the children. That says it all. Doing it without witnesses when she was so sick is underhanded. I do not declare her innocent. DNA Test Kits Are Helping Solve Cold Cases Decades Later, After Nearly a Year, There Could Finally be an Investigation Into the Death of Elijah McClain. Removing the children from her and presiding over her criminal trial? All the years in prison probably made her way more disturbed than she ever was. I know several foster parents and social workers. Unfortunately couldnt really do anything at that point, as the movie was not VHS yet, it only aired that oncein late 89. Her older two children have remained out of the public eye. There were posters. 3) You have a photo of Diane before the parole board.

Wgn Radio Personalities Salaries, How To Find Moles Of Electrons Transferred, Cathleen Mccadden Benjamin, Articles W