The fact that the Hugis did so successfully is arguably proof of this. The question is of course, how can we determine guilt or innocence without a fair trial? To this day, there is not enough evidence to prove her guilt or innocence. But Diane was not the one dragging Knick out of Charlenes bed every morning intent on making or breaking his relationship with another woman. From reading the blog and my little understanding of this case, Ms Downs remains in custody as she is considered a dangerous offender. The forensic evidence alone is absolutely weak. They are the ones who supposedly (according to Diane) screwed her up so badly. 4. How interesting. Diane had spent three days in the hospital ingesting massive doses of Morphine, Demerol, Percodan, and visterol. A reader told me that I should have a website with all the comments. Despite all of this: that the attorney became a Foster Carer irrelevant, inflammatory, subjective and bears no reflection on the trial, or indeed the trial outcome. Inflammatory and speculative That conflict of interest alone would incline Christie to testify against her mother. Around 1 in 20 residents in Arkansas and Tennessee were missed during the 2020 census, and four other U.S. states had significant undercounts of their populations which could shortchange them Most people negotiate the ups and downs of . So it would be logical to conclude that it would have left residues if anyone had shot at least 6 times. She complained about it, but that does not mean she did not suffer for her kids. Now if the shooter was this James Haynes guy, someone who apparently Diane Downs knew from buying drugs, then that would explain why she stopped in the middle of that road. They removed them and proceeded to interrogate the poor girl until she gave them what they needed. Re Diane Downs I invite reading Synopsis quite similar to above: OREGONs Juridical Small Sacrifices Detective Welch reminded Diane of the assault her sister witnessed in February 1983, in which steve Downs broke Dianes tailbone (Appendix 74, page 1025). I've just seen that in Halo's new tv series, Steve Downes isn't going to voice master chief. But you dont mention that she again has changed her story.. I cant believe anyone even believes or even follows you. If not from her high profile status, she would already be out. I wasnt there and the records will never be brought to light as far as the child welfare case. Her 7-year old daughter Cheryl died but her 3-year old son Danny and her 8-year old daughter Christie survived. Those cases shouldnt have been in the same court let alone presided over by the same judge. Therefore, those jagged bones were floating in a cloth wrap, merely resting in a cloth sling. Another conflict of interest. Of course, because this is what she does when people put her on the spot and ask questions concerning her mother and the shooting. Most get through it fine, maybe some complications or pain, maybe even some post pardum. She had been isolated from her whole family and being unethically interrogated. I would also like to express my disbelief that the same judge presided over both the child welfare case and the criminal one. Children under the age of twelve may cognitively grasp the concept of truth and lie, but lack the conscience which compels people to apply the concept to their lives, or the strength to maintain the truth when adults coerce her to lie. I like your approach. No excuse there. I tried to contact you by email but my email wouldnt acknowledge you email address. In fact, if someone was Hungry like the Wolf in this courtroom, it was a certain crime author who could already smell and taste the fortune coming her way after the publication of this juicy story. Any thoughts on that? Wasnt Mr. F supposed to be a child molester? Seeing her giggle and laugh during a videoed reconstruction gave me, as a mother, a sickening feeling. Some of your facts arent facts at all. It seems that not being American might help us view the case and Rules narrative with more objectivity. 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. Her father also insisted shetry to help catch the shooter. Unfortunately, there isn't much information about his whereabouts as he keeps a low profile. But my beef is with the interference by the media, TV shows and Ann Rule. In 1984, Diane Downs was convicted of shooting her three children, 3-year-old Danny, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 8-year-old Christie. You do not debate the content of the blog which you probably did not read anyway. Again I go back to how times were back then. Is there any update? I would like to believe this is the truth. There is no way that a jury would convict Diane today, based on the clearly coached testimony of Christie. What I explain in the blog is that the fact that Foote is the one who removed the children from Dianes care is exactly why he should NOT have been presiding over her murder trial. Surprisingly, he accepted the new child and learned to love him dearly. By many accounts, her children adored her. So it was a relentless game totry to reel her in. It is said that they didn't go to Steve because he wasn't a fit father or well equipped to take care of children who had gone through such a traumatic experience. The pilots we did dealt with Japan going over the quotas of hunted whales and a company dumping toxic waste into the ocean But it didn't work out because the stock footage they were using. You cant possibly shake off all the gun powder residue and avoid all the blood. Celebrity Author Covers Case Ann Rule wrote 'Small Sacrifices,' later released as a movie. In her book, Ann Rule made sure to mention that running water was heard by a dispatcher when Diane was at the hospital; insinuating that she was washing her hands and getting rid of evidence. It could have been very different at almost any other time or with any other attorneys or juries too. The car was splattered with blood, but Diane had none on her. Thanks again. Fitness fanatic, 27, broke her spine lifting weights but didn't realise until she woke up the next morning unable to move - and why her terrifying injury should be a warning to all gym-goers Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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 unreliability of childrens testimony has been documented by cognitive psychologists such as Elizabeth Loftus of the University of Cornell and others. In reply to Kit Diane and her family fought for them but were blocked from day one. Foote ruled in favor of the prosecution and against the defenseon most of the admissible evidence questions including all the nurses notes about Danny talking about a man shooting him but admitted Christies reports about her mother shooting her. Years later, seven witnesses signed affidavits telling of a man named Jim Haynes continuing confessionthat he wasthe shooter, and his appearance boresimilarities to the sketch. Weve become friends. Many individuals associated with the the child welfare system, for one reason or another, choose to adopt children. In fact, Diane had consulted a psychologist after the tragedy and after months of consultation, she was never diagnosed as a sociopath. 2. I just read your opinion on the Pamela Smart case and the Scott Peterson case. Steves surviving children had endured a horrifying experience performed by someone they loved and cared about. According to the State, ballistics evidence proved that Diane Downs was guilty. The court can just do an APR, Assignment of Parental Rights. The notions of humanity and rehabilitation have been left on the wayside long ago. My problem with the circumstances surrounding the crimes against these innocent children is that they were twisted by the media. Why on earth would anyone recommend leaving the kids with the grandparents? There is also a critical shortage of Foster Carers internationally, so that the Hugis offered to take the children in could be viewed as altruistic. She was judged very harshly for her character and her defense was dismal. But there were discrepancies; the tool marks did not matchand the detective lied on the stand about it. I point out some obvious facts and discrepancies, and that due process was shoved aside because the state and the media presented a guilty image right from the start. I will take a screen shot of the sketch. She was the star witness in her mom's prosecution and her testimony helped convict her. Do not forget that she got letters of support from a warden and psychiatrist. At the time, among 49 prisoners denied parole, the board had given only four inmates, including Downs, a 10-year wait. And to make her story believable, she shot a round in her arm before going to the hospital, claiming that she was a victim of a terrible carjacking. Just saw the video of Dianes parole hearing. 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. Why Isn't Steve Bannon in Jail? Ask the Democrats. | The Nation What mother takes her kids out at night and then stops for a stranger with her kids in the car? If the goal was to get rid of them, why didnt she emulate her lesser half in this matter? The two mental disorders that cause excessive talking are Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. The tape of Christie and her adoption by the prosecutor are facts. The notes taken daily by the nurses became a point of contention at trial. The whole blog claims the trial was flawed. I dont know how familiar she was with the area, but I do not think that it matters anyway. She was no mother of the year and in the car when the kids got shot. There is only one major problem with your scenario. Otherwise you just want people to fill your echo chamber that agree with you, tell anyone else you obviously dont want to debate me.., then ban, then hope for people to agree. Q. During his travels, he visited prisons and spoke against this type of barbarism because his father was imprisoned for a debt of 40 pounds and 10 shillings when he was twelve years. I talked about her still being locked up, all these years later, because I really want to know is it because we believe she will commit more crimes or is it because we need more revenge? She should of been sentenced to death. But Im on track and Im really happy with the way life is.. Since his ex wife was sentenced to life in prison, he has not reappeared in public life nor has he given any television interviews about his family. LMFAO!!!! Let me tell you, it wasnt just the investigators and the prosecution that didnt believe herwe, Oregonians, (who ACTUALLY live here and watched what was happening) believe she is guilty. Two wrongs do not make a right but illustrates that she should have never been coerced before, during or after the trial. After completing his education and their short-lived high school romance, Steve Downs would move on to join the navy. Steve Downs was the husband of the infamous child killer, Diane Downs. Unfortunately, Danny Downs was permanently paralyzed from the waist down because of a bullet injury in his back. The board said that her mental or emotional disorder makes her a danger to society. And of course, she added her own brand of paranoia, which is to be expected considering her personality disorder and what she went through. I know several people who know or knew both of the surviving children as well as Diane. Just state that at the beginning of the blog. The gun problem or the absence of blood and powder residues are not make believe. Hysteria. Needless to say, you seem to have a problem with the American justice systemnot each individual case. In addition to treating brain cancer, he works toward health equity. So, why didn't Steve Downs get custody? She has done her time in prison and I hope that she gets the chance to get out and spend time with her mother and siblings. I think DD is guilty, but I also think her trial was far from due process, and that is the important issue. The fact that she took the kids to the nearest hospital, andtwo of them survived kind offlies in the face of their murder at all costs theory. It was pitch black outside. These women did not show emotions and did not fold when asked to. Dianes father tried to hire Melvin Belli, but the judge refused to give him some time to prepare and come back to the US. Steve and Diane had three children, Danny, Cheryl, and Christie Ann. I do not post rude comments. How ironic that the court and cops were so quick to believe Steve Downs, but he gave up on his own children after the tragedy. Fingerprints at the crime scene were not produced by the State. But in this case, she had no blood on her body or her clothing. Judges are subject to certain ethical standards and have a duty to be impartial. Page 35 of Case History. I was shocked any asked why she thought that. Caught in the act, Hugi declared that Christie only said that because she was pressed for an answer. She should have had the lawyer of her choice and if they wanted to charge her with the crimes, they should have stuck with what evidence and circumstances they had. Andthe DA adopted her other two children. Exactly Libby why did they say during the trial that he saw his mom? I do have to take issue with this article about Diane Downs. You are telling me to take my smugness elsewhere because it is tiresome. I say these things if I were on the jury. You do not refute any of the points I made in the blogs. They did not want reunification to keep their verdict intact. Not optional, kids should not be in limbo that long, but it happens all the time. You dont get any kind of advancement or rehabilitation in prison. While Rules book is biased, it was a look into the view of those who wanted justice for those children, wether you agree w/ their conclusion or not, that was their goal. I will talk to Dianes brother. And if he really was attached to them and wanted to offer them a permanent home, it means he was unfit to be the prosecutor in this case. 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. Steve Downes has voiced the Master Chief in the Halo games since his 2001 debut, and his voice has become synonymous with the character.However, despite Jen Taylor being asked to reprise her role as the . Everyone in the world can believe something. While not evidence of guilt or innocence, it is certainly worth noting as part of the overall wrongs perpetrated during this fiasco of a trial and subsequent appeals. So if we started judging people harshly for their flaws, it would never end. What got her convicted was two things the towel and Christie. They met for the first time in Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona. A fact strongly denied by Diane and by the nurses reports. Yes, like many Americans, I think that the US system is barbaric. 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. 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. Its more understandable now, after all this time but it has done her so much harm, then and now I refer you to this section of the blog: They claimed to have found two lead cartridges in Dianes rifle at home that supposedly matched the ones used during the crime. Clearly the social workers were working with the DAs office and taking advice on best interest of the children from them. And if she did it, she has served her time without displaying any violent tendencies whatsoever. I especially loved reading everyones comments. They are the ones who considered Dianes children as, To this day, his record is mixed; his law license was suspended for, Belli filed a motion for a 2-week extension to familiarize himself with the case because he had to be in Italy, and declared Diane innocent in a press conference, but Foote denied the motion and declared . At the time Diane had told police that a stranger attempted to carjack her and shot the kids, and that's what her ex husband was told, too. Nice to see this blog is still active in 2017, being a lot of groupsmessage boards and such, on subjects like this has no activity for years. GSR can easily fall off just by brushing your hand against a surface. The trial was a whole miscarriage, that seems undeniable. 7 chilling clues in case of Diane Downs after she told cops a stranger And this makes many people wonder about his whereabouts. Christie was the primary witness in the case against her mother. We cant. BUT like you rightly explain, there was no real evidence of her guilt. I will post it when I get it. As for where he is now, we'll be honest, we're not completely sure. I go through every new finding and I point out what was done at trial that did not respect due process. When she resisted, he shot her kids and struggled with her. Do you REALLY believe she expected them to live especially since she drove at less than 10 mph. Bannon, a former adviser . It could be argued that he developed a relationship with the children and genuinely wanted them to join his family. Further: Wonder about Justice in Nation with world wide highest prisoner rate. Christie was it though. When a unicorn and hungry like the wolf make their way into a court room during a high profile trial, its a red flag. Saying that I seem to be doing what I accuse Ann Rule of doing is kind of ironic because the point of this blog is to try to stay away from innuendo and fantasies like unicorns and songs that might have been playing or not during a tragic murder. Christie Downs was eight-years old when she was injured and nine-years old when she testified. If a person were innocent of the crime they were convicted of this puts them in a no-win situation. There were posters. It was writtenrepeatedly in the daily notes that the children were happy to see their mom and asked for her. You said yourself that the title was revealing. I am posting Jamesanswer: Yes the allegations were said and you cannot take back what was saideven if retracted Just goes to show how difficult it is sometimes to find the truth. It was pretty apparent during the course of this saga that the media and the state were willing to give a free pass to anyone willing to badmouth Diane. Considering the circumstances, it is difficult not to be a bit cynical about this grand gesture. Only after these avenues are exhausted should non-relative placement be looked at. Not our place to decide. The goal is always to keep family ties intact. Either way he could NOT have seen who shot him unless he has eyes in the back of his head. Critics said she deliberately became pregnant in order to garner sympathy from the jury. why didn't steve downs get custody - Maryland Idiomas All the reports and even the warden thought she was not a threat anymore. (LOL!! Its a rather large part of the story. She waseighteen and soon realized that she had jumped from the fire into the frying pan.