People can have a certain vibe and act out of the norms, but it does not make them necessarily guilty. Forensics or lack thereof and blood splatter? And because of this, they formed a profound connection that matured into a relationship. And to try not to bash Dianes Downs character and stick to evidence instead. Thanks for posting for readers. After all, Cheryl Downs is basically serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for her mothers crime. 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. The tape is real and probably not admissible, but it seems to indicate that her testimony was coerced. She signed an affidavit to that effect and wanted the jury informed of it but it was never done. Of course, because this is what she does when people put her on the spot and ask questions concerning her mother and the shooting. Downs: Oh yeah, I remember the pictures, too. I find it interesting for you to observe this because it should be more scientific and empirical today than it was in the 80s, but is it really? I know better now than to accept blindly the truth presented to us on a silver platter by the media and the judicial system. She was still trying to extricate herself from a bad relationship with Steve Downs and was in no hurry to repeat the mistake. The point is our trials need to be conducted fairly and based on evidence. 6. If not from her high profile status, she would already be out. To listen to Christies taped conversation, click below. Mission accomplished. The kind of TV series that they produce on high profile crimes will make sure to turn public opinion. This website supports restorative justice, so of course it leans towards sentences that are not life without parole if it is supported by a warden and mental health specialists. The way this investigation and the trial were conducted only left me with doubts. It seems like Steve and Diane were meant to be together. I agree that the phone call from Angel was totally inappropriate. Devoting ur life to taking down a dead author is a waste of ur talents. Dianes dad died a year or two ago. The circumstances surrounding the case were not enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 5. (Appendix 81, page 1466). To Lisa Griggs And the interrogations were not tapedand barelydocumented. A fair trial is a right in this country, not a judicial suggestion. So the hell with no gun, no GSR, no blood and no witnesses except a sick child who denied knowing who shot them until she could not anymore and happened to be adopted by the prosecutor; making it look like she could never change her mind and reveal that she has no memory of the shooting and maybe have the case reversed. If the answer is, to keep the public safe, then I call BS. In 1992 I became involved in this work following my interest and research into a notorious murder trial that was held in Oregon many years ago. No conflict of interest there? The fact that she drove there and it saved the life of two of her children should give anyone pause. In fact, Diane and her lawyer wanted Christie to be able to heal before being questioned and to be accompanied and taped during the sessions. The states own witness, Dr. George Suckow and Dr. Polly Jamison denounced Prosecutor Hugis practice as improper and unethical (Appendix 101 and 104). Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. I personally disagree with that practice but it is common. 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. Diane had learned from nine months of interaction with Knick, that the man was consistent only in his inconsistency. Her attorney, James Jagger, did a poor job for Diane. more on crime HEARTBREAKING FIND The Office star's sister-in-law found dead 11 days after going missing 'DISGUSTING' There is absolutely no evidence that Hungry like the Wolf was playing when Christie got shot but it is another detail they added to bring a dramatic element to this trial. Her flat affect is even more pronounced now and it did her in at the time, but she was lucid enough to clearly see that Rule and the media used Becky for their personal gain. Are we to believe that Proctors second gun was stolen with the bill and ID from the first gun that remained listed at the gun store? Maybe dad relinquished, it sounds like he may have. There were a few calls and on one occasion,Christie said They just, they knew that, you know, that she did it and I should say that she did it. When asked if she thought her mother did it or someone else did it, she replied, I dont know if she did it or someone else did, cause I dont know. Then Angel says: They told you that was the right thing to do, huh? Christie responds, But like the person, my attorney, and thats who Fred is, that Im living with, hes the guy, he works for me.. 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. 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. The woman shot her children. You are telling me to take my smugness elsewhere because it is tiresome. Dianes automobile was secured and examined and no gun was found. And the state refusing to turn them over to the defense? Diane then replied, so, put her back on the stand and make her tell the truth. He said he would when it was his turn, but never did. Steve and Diane Downs' children were adopted by Lane County prosecutor Fred Hugi and his wife, Joanne. But my beef is with the interference by the media, TV shows and Ann Rule. So Mark, where are you from? During the process of the termination (which can take the whole 2 years in question, with appeals) the court is mandated to find family to take the children. And of course, she added her own brand of paranoia, which is to be expected considering her personality disorder and what she went through. From reading the blog and my little understanding of this case, Ms Downs remains in custody as she is considered a dangerous offender. Only the people who present ongoing threats to the safety of the public in general are the ones this sentence is reserved for. He knows as he was in court and must have photos. You seem to forget that even a few jurors started by voting not guilty on some of the charges. It was the story of two troubled young souls trying to survive without a safety net. What a terrible injustice. Makes major decisions easier because only one parent is legally responsible. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. But there was a lot left unsaid about this relationship. How could Christie say anything but the things they told her to say with that kind of influence? 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. Lori, I luv how you ended your comment Lets also remember that this is the US of A and we dont lock people up for being narcissistic, antisocial histrionic individuals. Her daughter told the media she watched Small Sacrifices several times. Its tiresome. No matter how much Ive read, or how many of her constant at the time interviews I watch on YouTube, the things that come from her brain to her mouth never cease to amaze me. Regina, I love your comment! Pros. The gun problem or the absence of blood and powder residues are not make believe. Do not take this so personally. The mommy murderess pulled her car over the side of the road and shot her three young children in the backseat. It was positive only on a small portion of her upper hand where she said the gun touched her when she wrestled with the attacker (a detail she had mentioned before they did the test). Page 35 of Case History. All smoke and mirrors to fit a certain scenario. It is called a conflict of interest. If I included the ones I dont post, it would need more than a like or dislike button. I also wish that Dianes children have a great life. I think that you are right about certain things not being ignored. The crucial point is that she is so void of emotion. 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. And their plan worked. She signed an affidavit to that effect and wanted the jury informed of it but it was never done. Wasnt it speculative on their part? Why is there virtually no info on him? Jennifer Hudson didn't lose custody of her son David Jr. because she was an unfit parent, but rather because her work commitments meant she had to temporarily relocate to film The Voice UK. Most get through it fine, maybe some complications or pain, maybe even some post pardum. If you listen to the recording, Christie clearly says I dont know who did it. She was asleep, thats why. However, he had no interest in taking care of Dianes children. According to Rule and the court, the unicorn was a memorial to her children that she purchased after premeditating their murder. I guess he did not want too many people to know about the improprieties that happened in his courtroom: I guess? She states, I did not shoot my children and I cant say I did. After completing high school, Steve Downs went to join the Navy while Elizabeth Diane attended the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College. A steel plate had to be attached and some lead fragments were removed. Libby, I quoted what Diane said. It became judicial kidnapping to obtain a coerced confession. I was being sarcastic. She followed all the correct Parole Boardprocedures for two years with no hearing. If the grandparents and uncle had visitation rights, they could have respected some rules as far as not discussing the case, but imagine if she had told them that she did not remember? It surely was not due process. And, one of them was her ex-husband, the father of the children that Diane had shot. Christie was understandably all over the place and I agree that the way in which her statements were procured were very odd and seemed to be very coached. Hey Jace, I was not going to post your insulting comments but I decided to let the last sentence fly so that I could answer it. Diane downs. In addition, the children were suffering life-changing physical and mental trauma, which would take years to heal. So if we started judging people harshly for their flaws, it would never end. For all you readers of this blogger, I lived through the Diane Downs case. Im sure nothing I write will change that. What I believe doesnt matter at all. It wasnt simply her demeanor that got her convicted. 3. At first I thought she did it, now I made further research and I dont know what to think. I will post it when I get it. The problem with high profile cases is that the media, the DA, the cops and authors like Ann Rule dictate the narrative and it becomes almost impossible to look any other way unless you are a critical thinker devoid of emotions related to the case. She says she was outside the car n watched the man shoot her children n then the only adult n person who could tell police about him only gets a shot in the arm n takes time to bandage her arm. These women did not show emotions and did not fold when asked to. The DA adopting the children is an integral part of this and definitely needs to be included in the blog. Nothing in this blog claims Diane is innocent. The blog tries to bring balance and more objectivity to a case that was TOTALLY one sided and still is. And Im really not on the fence the little girl was coachedI believe the ex husband , his freinds, and her lovers were invalid either way. And how the letters became so bizarre, paranoid and psychotic that she told Diane to stop writing her. Likewise, Charlene had no intention of letting Knick divorce her (Appendix 81, page 1518, line 15). I dont believe there was a CK. There have many times children have had to testify against their parents so the fact that many cant believe it was ever allowed should honestly research more. In addition, the children were suffering life-changing physical and mental trauma, which would take years to heal. Too bad it triggered you, maybe try to stay away from sites that might not go along with the mob mentality and usual media narrative. It sounds pretty fair to me. This blogger believes in the presumption of innocence and in the possibility of redemption. The State had the same gut feeling and made sure she would pay. The car was splattered with blood, but Diane had none on her. Evidence from a ballistics expert. Where is the blood spatter on Diane? Nobody near to help. And to say that her mental health has degraded is an understatement, but more reason not to keep her eternally incarcerated. View theaffidavits. You seem to care about my opinion and perception of some elements of the case and how the media poisoned the well in this instance, but what about the trial? Any thoughts on how the detectives basically made up their mind right away in spite of numerous tips coming in? The trial was a whole miscarriage, that seems undeniable. What disease did Ray Liotta have, and what caused his death? It was not the right gun. Therefore, those jagged bones were floating in a cloth wrap, merely resting in a cloth sling. There were many problems with her trial and that matters. But I would not know what her state of mind is because I did not witness it. They would have welcomed them with open arms. You have a photo of Diane before the parole board. I will take a screen shot of the sketch. I understand that the authorities were afraid to leave the two remaining children under her care if they thought she was guilty, but they could have been released to the grandparents or other blood relatives with supervised visits from their mom considering that she was not charged with any crime. No matter how horrible people think she is. To have separated Christie from her brother and the rest of the family to be able to get her mom was unconscionable. Celebrity Author Covers Case Ann Rule wrote 'Small Sacrifices,' later released as a movie. This is what Mrs Downs had to say about the situation. I do not declare her innocent. According to TMZ, in 2017, Hudson and her former partner David Otunga "reached a temporary custody agreement which gives him custody" of their son. That same gun turned up at a police raid years later in Perris, California, and it did not match the ballistics from the shooting site. Many attribute the conviction of Downs to the arrival of author Ann Rule at Downs' trial. There is a court sketch artists rendering of him in this video. Even if I have no doubt that Hugi loved the kids, we have to wonder why he adopted them two years later just when little Christie started saying she had no clue who shot them. The fact that the children were in no way protected by Child Protection Services is undeniable. In the moment of who shot youmy momhave a hard time believing that could be coached. Mr. Downs must have had a bad feeling about Jagger because before trial, he tried to retain defense attorney Melvin Belli who had the reputation of fighting for his clients and to win all his cases. This unhealthy marriage survived and became a daily struggle. It does seem time has done worse to her.