She waseighteen and soon realized that she had jumped from the fire into the frying pan. I had never heard of this case and fell upon several videos that had me completely convinced DD was a narcissistic psychopath. My website is in the process of being migrated so it has no photos. He is in his 70s now and his photo is not on his linkedin or anywhere I could find. I do have to take issue with this article about Diane Downs. The US is a very strange bird when it comes to crime and punishment. 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. I watched the highlights of her 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. I know several foster parents and social workers. The infamous murder story of 1983 was like an excerpt from a crime thriller, a mother doing the unfathomable. We dont know what the Hugi family was doing during this time, probably seeing the kids regularly and getting licensed and approved to take the kids home with them. 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. And to say that her mental health has degraded is an understatement, but more reason not to keep her eternally incarcerated. When she resisted, he shot her kids and struggled with her. Whether it tugs at your heartstrings or angers you to the core, these stories could have happened years ago, and they still take up space in your memories. 3) You have a photo of Diane before the parole board. Is Diane really a threat anymore? I am pointing them out. Cheryl was shot twice in the back and one of the bullets ended up on the floorboard. 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. I am not from USA, never have been there, but my impression is that in USA media are far more powerful than the justice system and rational thinking is crushed by easy emotional moods, stereotypes and a hunger for violence coated in a pompous moral attitude. What about the facts of the case? It surely was not due process. Is it the one you tried to use? The hell with doubts, ballistics and pesky details about the shooting, we cannot disagree becausethere is hunting and fishing to do and friendships to uphold. But in this case, she had no blood on her body or her clothing. She was fighting back and they did not like it. Instead, there is blood splatter on the ceiling of the car. 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. You can click here to read about the case of Alice Crimmins during which the lead detective was heard telling the other cops before the bodies of the children were ever found:You take the husband, Ill take the bitch.. Brewer freely declared that Diane Downs would never have been convicted except that he believed the lie Jim Jagger permitted Fred Hugi to enter into the record. They should have had ongoing contact and been placed with family as soon as they were out of the hospital and they never should have been interviewed without their own attorney (Guardian ad Litem) present. But there is forensic evidence pointing to Diane Downs. After asking her to have an affair, he kept vacillating between his wife and her. Jump through the States hoops, or find a noose around your neck. She said a bunch of really stupid things in the media (my kids were lucky, not me gets the palm) and basically bury herself. Saudi Princesses in Captivity for More Than a Thousand and One Nights Are Tweeting the Blues, Having recently done research on the Liysa Northons case which was the subject of a book written by Ann Rule titled, Some 287 errors and falsehoods were documented by Liysa and verified by official sources. They did not want reunification to keep their verdict intact. On May 30, 1983, the McKenzie-Willamette Hospital Chaplain told Dianes father to hire an attorney because the State was going to take his grandchildren away. Hed left his first wife to co-habitate with (and later marry) Charlene. Id like to challenge some of the bloggers claims. Two of the kids survived the shooting with life altering injuries, and one of the children died. I am glad that some articles remain. (her family confirmed that she had a mood disorder, possibly bipolar 2), So when Dr. George Suckow from the Oregon State Hospital in Salem was called as a States rebuttal witness and he made a professional diagnosis of Diane as histrionics, antisocial and narcissistic, he openly said in court that he interviewed Diane for 1 hour and read evidence presented by the state to make his diagnosis.. Except for Paul Cortez. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPLkIcSzftE&ab_channel=DianeDownsArchives. This is a conflict of interest. In 1984, Diane was convicted of the death and injuries of her children, and she was sentenced to life in prison. Yes, like many Americans, I think that the US system is barbaric. 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. Do you remember about two days after that the two of you signing a lease on the apartment? As far as Hugi is concerned, it was a total conflict of interest. She had been isolated from her whole family and being unethically interrogated. Andthe DA adopted her other two children. As soon as Diane was found guilty, Hugi demanded that Diane be evaluated by a psychiatrist before sentencing so they could declare her a dangerous offender and give her a stiffer sentence. Im glad you continued to look for more information as time went on. But you are right to say that it is my site. Thank you for presenting a side of the story & case apart from the usual narrative. I lived in Eugene, Oregon for years. I am sorry but I got to laugh a little. This is a fascinating and informative article that has answered some questions I had, and prompted others: 1. I say these things if I were on the jury. Her other daughter and son were severely injured. 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. Im from Australia and have recollections of this case. It is not a plus, but it is not a crime either. I would like to raise the numerous issues with this blog. So she warns her to stay away. Meaning a trial where lying or failing to disclose exculpatory evidence by prosecutors is not happening. Whenever your shoot a gun that many times and that close to the victims, theres going to be blood and powder residues. The first two children were Diane's kids with her ex husband Steve Downs. I simply state facts that did not or would not come out at the time or blatant misconduct from a legal system that is supposed to be based on innocent until proven guilty. At what point during these meetings did she start calling him Dad? U seem very one sided on every case Ann Rule has ever written just as u claim she did to u. N her parents didnt want custody of the children just like the father. Any thoughts on that? But it is not hard to see that the way this tape and her confession were obtained was not legitimate. A demonstration in court strongly suggested: Suggested, not confirmed. And the interrogations were not tapedand barelydocumented. From the very beginning, the DAs office had their ducks in a row because in an unprecedented move, Judge Gregory Foote who had denied access to the children by all blood relatives and given their care over to the State, was promoted from juvenile to senior judge to preside over the trial of Diane Downs. Were they involved in the plot too?? And yes, its your site, but dont act like a site is open for discussion if its not. But there were discrepancies; the tool marks did not matchand the detective lied on the stand about it. Whatever mental illness she has, has gotten worse with each hearing. 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. Im not saying I know for a fact in my mind shes innocentbut there is NOT enough evidence for her to be guilty. They finally charged her and she did 10 years for the death of her children. Hugi got the evidence needed to convict after numerous meetings with Christie. 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. The states own witness, Dr. George Suckow and Dr. Polly Jamison denounced Prosecutor Hugis practice as improper and unethical (Appendix 101 and 104). And Steven was free to follow her lead or not. Even prosecutor Fred Hugi was seen walking the grounds to try to find the weapon. There is also a recording where she says that she had no idea who shot them. I lived through the media coverage. 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 I know that most people think she is guilty. Mr. I research cases that in my opinion, were poorly tried. One of the jurors finally declared. The car was splattered with blood, but Diane had none on her. How do you expect the daughter to have any fair understanding of the situation or any decent contact with Dianes family when the people who have been calling her mother a murderer and a monster are dragging her in the media spotlight in the hope of writing another book or getting a new scoop, but all one sided. One should also wonder why their biological father who was so eager to bash his ex on the stand was not given custody, and did not stay in contact with his two remaining children. 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 . Nowadays, this insanity would never be tolerated. It became judicial kidnapping to obtain a coerced confession: inflammatory I was curious as to what these requirements were, as I have not seen these online. They went through the process which demonstrates a certain level of commitment in itself. She was the star witness in her mom's prosecution and her testimony helped convict her. 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. Downs wanted to get rid of the kids because her new boyfriend didn't want . 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. They lied about the ballistics. A. I dont recall telling her to get an apartment. Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. she chose to stay with Manson and his misfits. The discovery that he wasnt his biological child made him leave the relationship. statement regarding the effects of the childrens medications while in hospital should acknowledge where the blogger obtained information about the side effects.). You left and you and Diane Downs spent an evening at a motel? In addition, the children were suffering life-changing physical and mental trauma, which would take years to heal. The details about the gun missing, the daughters testimony and the fact that she had no blood or gun residues are facts. I do not know what happened on Old Mohawk Road on that dark evening, but I know that they did not have enough evidence totry andconvict Diane Downs. They never tried to reunite them with family. Doesnt change the fact that it was still a conflict of interest. This is Budhu's story, as told to Kelly Burch . Sad situation. please express them and I will print them. Knick never signed the premarital agreement and Diane never married him. Why does the blogger not clarify this? It was also said at trial that the shooter would have been left handed, which was not the case for Diane. I dont know either if she is guilty or not, but I believe there is a reasonable doubt surrounding the circumstances. But if you compare them, and if stranger there was, there are similarities but it is not dead on. The State produced a witness (Ms. Patterson) to testify that Diane Downs entered the hospital bathroom, left the door open, and ran water in the sink (Appendix 87, page 476).
Father of Diane Downs Remains Vigilant After 30 Years (VIDEO) But you dont mention that she again has changed her story. It was obvious to the cops and the prosecution because they proceeded to get her daughter to testify against her because they had nothing to prove she was the shooter. But you told Diane Downs to go ahead and get an apartment? The woman shot her children. No conflict of interest there? You read a few comments. This same witness corroborated that Diane did not stop to do something suspicious or dispose of the gun. 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. Is. Guilt or innocence no longer need to be debated in this case. Teams of people and detectives combed the area for months looking for the gun but it was nowhere to be found. 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. Diane, 18, had run away from home to do so. I have nothing to gain and I am not making up songs and dances about a unicorn. Diane was sentenced to life plus 50 years. According to Oregon law, this would have to be supported by a psychiatrists report or a Wardens letter and Diane provided both. Im all for justice, reviewing facts and overturning corrupt decisions. Isnt is odd how something we are exposed to as children can stick in our memory? So she could not have shot her kids at the distance determined by the state unless she changed her clothing and it did not come up at trial. She took care of herself not her children. This was all logged in Christies hospital reports and is found in the Appendix of the petition filed in Federal Court in 1996 in the section Hospital Reports. Christie and Danny have no contact with their father, and they have completed their education. He has lived a life outside the public eye and hasnt ever come out to give interviews to the media about his ex-wife. The interpretation of blood splatter is different than no blood splatter. Dianes ex-lover, Robert Knickerbocker, also said the same. No. Where are Steve Downs children now? 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? 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. I changed the sites email recently to thetroublewithjustice@hotmail.com Lise lasalle you mention THIS When she (Diane) resisted, he shot her kids and struggled with her. The goal is always to keep family ties intact. That is not a quick process and is very invasive to a familys privacy. 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. From what Ive read, she gets a parole hearing every decade and the next time in 2030 she will be 75. She is still in prison. Needless to say, you seem to have a problem with the American justice systemnot each individual case. Nevertheless, what was done seemed out of our hands and we could have no contact with them at all.
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