why didn't steve downs get custody why didn't steve downs get custody

Even on a worldwide scale, the age of accountability is considered to be twelve years old. A group of ladies formed a group called HELDD which stands for Help Exonerate & Liberate Diane Downs. A. I was still living in the house, yes, sir. Now she claims she was dating an FBI agent at the time, was holding some top secret pictures for him, and she was on the road to meet someone to pass them off, at the instruction of her FBI boyfriend. I was curious as to what these requirements were, as I have not seen these online. Dianes father tried to hire Melvin Belli, but the judge refused to give him some time to prepare and come back to the US. Danny has kept a low profile, and not much about his life like family, marriage, and children are in public. How could Christie say anything but the things they told her to say with that kind of influence? Reduces conflict because communication is limited. Foote denied the motion and declared you have an attorney, use him.. Her 7-year old daughter Cheryl died but her 3-year old son Danny and her 8-year old daughter Christie survived. Click to read The Case of Liysa Northon Who Said True Crime Does not Pay? Then, they accused her of shooting her kids at close range. 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. TIL On May 19, 1983, Diane Downs shot her three children and drove them at 5-7 mph to the hospital. The woman shot her children. She then went through the State (Circuit) Court habeas corpus relief for four years to no avail. Just like Rule though, your blog is extremely biased, and reads almost as though she told you exactly what to write at times. And by the way, I wrote the blogs about Rule way before she passed. Fred Hugi looks nothing like Jim Jagger. The weird behavior (laughing and joking in the shooting reenactment), bullets found at her home and the constant changing of her story only is icing on her guilty cake. Phenobarbital was administered alongside the Dilantin. 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. It took a lot of time to research this case and present the other side of the coin. Rule sued the Seattle Weekly after they published the article titled Ann Rules Sloppy Storytelling, but she lost and had to make restitution. As was his habit, Knick failed to take into consideration what Diane or his wife had to say on the matter. It is not clear whether he still resides in Arizona, where he started his relationship with Diane those many years ago. By the way, that interview with Christie by a biased advocate named Angel borders on abusive. Thats food for thought. Nobody had any reason for a conspiracy of this magnitude over a literal nobody. It was a fairly new science at the time so thats all it took to find him not guilty. had to wait for Christie to be able to tell them who did it. But the guy who said to several people that he was the shooter happens to resemble the sketch they came up with at the time for a reason. I look forward to reading your other blogs. Mostly, because it was poorly investigated and they focused on Diane solely the minute they met her. http://sputniknews.com/us/20150620/1023613662.html#ixzz3djEXlSAC // The Prison State of America Dec 28, 2014 Chris Hedges, http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_prison_state_of_america_20141228 It was flawed. But in their defense, they were told at trial what gun was used by Diane to shoot the kids and it must have been very difficult to overcome the emotions brought on by the words of little Christie even if it was pretty obvious during her testimony that she was confused and unreliable. This coercion came to Dianes attention in January 1989 (Appendix 39). Page 41 of case history. They were tons of witnesses that saw him at work. In fact, what investigator Tracy had written in his notes is that the heart monitor jumped because of excitement or intense fear. Diane recanted the stories about her dad who vehemently denied them. As Ms. Patterson left the stand, Diane complained to her attorney that Ms. Patterson had lied under oath. That is not a quick process and is very invasive to a familys privacy. Hello. Christie was it though. She always seems to have not a very close contact with reality. And the interrogations were not tapedand barelydocumented. The reason Im harsh is because Ive detected that youve paid for this site and therefore cant be wrong. It would not benefit you, my children, or society for me to perpetuate that lie. Teams of people and detectives combed the area for months looking for the gun but it was nowhere to be found. The crucial point is that she is so void of emotion. Yep, Downs who was found guilty in 1984, escaped successfully from the Oregon Womens Correctional Center in 1987 and was transferred to Jersey afterwards. I am interested in the truth. But I am so tired of the enough time has been served and other criminals have been paroled. I research cases that in my opinion, were poorly tried. The interpretation of blood splatter is different than no blood splatter. I do not have to put any statement advising people that I am about to present the neglected aspects of the trial. If a person were innocent of the crime they were convicted of this puts them in a no-win situation. Diane followed the detectives to their car. She said no mother would stop at 10 at night, in the dark, with three young children, to help a Bush haired stranger. (LOL!! 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). The fact that they used her daughter and lied about the gun they could never find makes it a wrongful conviction. While I appreciate your empathy for the victims of this crime, I have to wonder if all murderers should be locked up their entire life? Click to listen to podcast explaining the gun test, Dianes mental condition and the lack of forensic evidence. I never read the Ann Rule book, but saw Small Sacrifices as a kid and have had an interest in this case ever since. Plus, the circumstances of this charade were more than sinister. HUGE conflict of interest. A demonstration in court strongly suggested that the shooter had to be left-handed to have been able to shoot in the car at the right angle. It can safely be presumed, other children told their parents, and that some of those parents reported the disturbing revelation to states Attorney, Prosecutor Fred Hugi. Yeah, Ive noticed a lot of people thing Jim Jagger is Fred Hugi. Likewise, Charlene had no intention of letting Knick divorce her (Appendix 81, page 1518, line 15). But the fact that the prosecutor called her a deviant sociopath in court without any assessment became another nail in her coffin. Yes, I had filed for divorce and then I canceled it. This same witness corroborated that Diane did not stop to do something suspicious or dispose of the gun. 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? When your goal is to call me dude, insult my name and trash my blog, you can go on other sites who will love to spar with you while swallowing the old narrative of high profile cases. She said She did it. I am not saying that Diane was a saint or Ann Rule a demon. And once again, considering that she was diagnosed as bipolar, did not help her cause. (Feature Image Credit: ABC News / 20/20). But she suffered from mental illness and the circumstances were traumatic. She functions best in highly structured environments where she has a sense of control. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. I agree with your comment. Within a few weeks, the kids who had survived were placed in protective custody and were no longer in Steve's care. Here are the pros and cons of sole legal custody. She was harshly judged because of her demeanor. 6. Bannon, a former adviser . And because of this, they formed a profound connection that matured into a relationship. When they graduated from high school, the two reunited and rekindled their love despite their brief separation. I do not have to state anything at the beginning of the blog. Diane had moved to Oregon only 6 weeks before the tragedy to work in the area and have her parents spend time with the kids. Im from Australia and have recollections of this case. Anne Rule might have inflamed the case with her book Small Sacrifices and her theory of the crime, but in reality, the case of Diane Downs was no small sacrifice. So either way, it would not be so far fetched that someone said he was the shooter.A little investigation would not hurt. The tape is real and probably not admissible, but it seems to indicate that her testimony was coerced. Considering that the daughter she murdered will never get a second chance, it will never be long enough unless its for her entire life. Again thats opinion, and neither balanced nor objective. A sick kid who had a stroke and traumatized being pressured for weeks to remember her mother killing her? They rarely are, especially in the US. Basically then at that There isnt a whole lot known about where Steve Downs is these days. He asked her for the car keys and she pretended to throw them away to distract him. But you are right, some members of the jury and public had a reasonable doubt. As a suggestion, I would love to see a like or dislike button for each comment. Shes where she belongs. The whole blog claims the trial was flawed. Her lover and former husband testified against her but it did not represent evidence but character assassination. This case had many similarities to the Alice Crimminsstory. Except for Paul Cortez. It was far fetched, unfoundedand convenientlyrelayedby Rule to boost the sales of her book. To Lori Q. It's not even known if he still resides in Arizona, where he used to live with Diane and their three kids. They said so and were told to go back to deliberate. Probably a 911 button. Who is Elizabeth Diane Downs, Steve Downs ex-wife? She did it. The absence of the gun or gun powder residues on Diane is fact. There was never a real motive for the crime even if the State insisted that Diane wanted to be free to pursue her love interest; using her journals to support theirclaim. The children were in the hospital, it isnt like they could have taken them home. All smoke and mirrors to fit a certain scenario. If you want to defend Diane Downs, more power to you. 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. But Im on track and Im really happy with the way life is.. But for what it is worth, I believe she tried to kill her 3 kids. But I think that in all fairness, many of them dont even know the details of the case and have watched Small Sacrifices instead. That was the extent of her investigation of Dianes side. They now throw people in prison in the US for debts. Or that the sketch did not resemble the suspect enough? Usually it isnt there but every once in awhile, it comes out. This is a scenario pretty hard to believe, but as they say, reality can sometimes be stranger than fiction. He said all the police needed was for Diane to bear witness against her ex-husband. Even put in different hospitals. We make them president. She goes on to say that she has deep regret and mourns the loss and death of her children. They both would fall in love and decide they want to marry each other. Everything matters in a trial and investigation. That her child was basically forced to admit that she saw her mom shoot them? I always welcome new information, evidence and opinions if they have a strong base and are not mean spirited, but I dont get the relevance of this comment to the case itself. To Lisa Griggs Diane may very well be guilty, but YIKES this investigation and trial seemed so butchered and tilted in the prosecutions favour. The most exciting thing about Steve is that he never appeared in public despite the immense case against his wife. Movie scene alleging that Christie was scared. CK was willing to take, or attempt to take, the lives of 4 people in order to steal their car. They should have taken their timeto investigatethis case thoroughly and without prejudice. They were put in an impossible situation. They both fainted when they saw their dead child, but it did not count. As a married man, the ball was in his court and he decided togo forit. And if the fact that cops lied about the gun to close the deal did not bother you, it bothered me because this is not due process. The first two children were Diane's kids with her ex husband Steve Downs. She states, I did not shoot my children and I cant say I did. But he overestimated the kind of people that would go along with this soap opera. Much worse. I have worked in Child Protection for over 20 years and have extensive experience in this field domestically and internationally. Some cases are so one sided that you feel like exposing or at least, discussing the other side. 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. I watched and worried through her escapeto find her childrens real attackerthat bushy haired stranger . It was the story of two troubled young souls trying to survive without a safety net. Interesting that the article has one of the same elements that Diane perpetrated when she drove to the hospital the night of the murders she made more of a fuss about her arm injury than she did about one of her kids dying and two of them being gravely and permanently wounded. 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. A. Diane was diagnosed as being bipolar and subsequently diagnosed by a psychiatrist before sentencing. Do you remember probably about four or five days after All the years in prison probably made her way more disturbed than she ever was. And the state refusing to turn them over to the defense? Ann Rule has always been sensationalist, and her books were almost unreadable at the end of her publishing days. I watched the paroles hearing in 08, was lucky to find it, it was streamed live at the timemy sister, who is a whiz with computers, found it for me. I dont believe there was a CK. you quoted what diane said as to what happened When she resisted, he shot her kids and struggled with her. Steve made some piss poor choices when he had visitation with the kids after the shooting; he permitted them to go off alone with Dianne, when she was not supposed to have had any contact at all with the children. She told ABC, The impact of Diane Downs being my mom has altered the course of my life so many times. That they did not test the outside of the car? It wasnt their fault, it was the job of the social workers and the courts to make sure the kids were not isolated from family. No worries. More reason to have investigated the case more thoroughly. If it was not such a high profile case, Diane Downs would have been paroled a long time ago: speculative, Ill stop there. After completing his education and their short-lived high school romance, Steve Downs would move on to join the navy. Within three weeks, Diane had lost custody of her remaining wounded children and had become the number one suspect in the eyes of the police department and District Attorneys office. But I would not know what her state of mind is because I did not witness it. I enjoyed your take, and agree their are several reasons with this, and lets be honestevery other case ever prosecuted, to take pause and question but Diane continues to lie, make up brand new stories about people after her, and has made no moves to better herself in any way shape or form while shes been in prison, by her own admission. Why am I not arguing the facts of the trial? Those cases shouldnt have been in the same court let alone presided over by the same judge. 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. I didnt know that. The jury verdict was guilty on all counts, but there was a mixture of votes. It would be about November 20th that you would have gone back with Charlene, what, the next day? Jump through the States hoops, or find a noose around your neck. Where are Steve Downs children now? Here's everything you need to know. This unhealthy marriage survived and became a daily struggle. is this a reason??? You can believe what you like. He actually was the one who suggested theybecome intimate after many friendly, platonic conversations. I am glad that some articles remain. Removing the children from her and presiding over her criminal trial? When Diane had failed to mention it herself, he even informed them that she had bought a .22 caliber shotgun in Arizona, just before she had left for Oregon. It could have been very different at almost any other time or with any other attorneys or juries too. 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. 1) Gunshot residue/blood splatter. Brewer changed his mind. The person who shot the kids was leaning inside the car because they were shot at close range. You are telling me to take my smugness elsewhere because it is tiresome. ), years in solitary confinment Whats wrong with us?! The case of Diane Downs and her three children is one of those a horrible tragic case that people still think about 37 years later. Thanks again. Why does the blogger not clarify this? It was cited that she keeps her emotions close to the vest. There is her story, the prosecution case and the defense arguments. She had one arm totally out of commission. 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. Whats more intriguing is that even after Diane became the prime suspect and lost custody of her surviving children, or when she was convicted, the kids didnt go live with Steve; they were adopted by the lead prosecutor in Dianes case. 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. The photo of Hugi I used is the one you find when you do a search online for Fred Hugi who prosecuted Diane Downs. He didn't indicate whether Downs would appeal. Nobody near to help. LMFAO!!!! As her brother mentioned, it would not be that farfetched for his sister to stop for someone considering that she was a person who lacked impulse control and the era. She has an excellent conduct report and never reacted violently to any of the harassment from other inmates. She was the prosecutions only hope. But to convince this young and vulnerable girl to turn on her mother, they needed to isolate her from her family and work relentlessly on her confession.. 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. Back to DD, I think she suffered some kind of mental breakdown, her account of the facts was never reliable, all the case appears murky, which points to an incompetent handling of the situation by the police and justice system. They went after Diane at trial for tapping her foot when they played Hungry like the wolf. 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. They were in foster care for two years before the prosecutor adopted them. Or that they are not even curious about it. And if you add the fact that they never found the gun, it doesnt leave much evidenceto back upthe theory that she was the shooter. 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. Pros. Steve and Diane had three children, Danny, Cheryl, and Christie Ann. Another conflict of interest. Blood spatter is not an exact science, and is interpreted differently by experts. BUT like you rightly explain, there was no real evidence of her guilt.