You are wondering about the question why didn t steve downs get custody but currently there is no answer, so let kienthuctudonghoa.com summarize and list the top articles with the question. I lived in Eugene, Oregon for years. Q. So imagine when you are troubled to begin with. Moms were working more, we were becoming the latch key generation, as in we let ourselves in alone while still in elementary school.when I mentioned before about maturity of a 8, 9, 10 year oldwe loved playing outside on bikes, and playing with our dolls, boys usually had their action figures..lol.and we loved our moms, even if they were young and liked to go out and sent us to babysitters..the book and movie, Im quite sure, over did the situation..and Im sure there was more on both sides, the family of diane, diane herself, but well never know all the details. The Lifetime channel constantly makes movies based loosely on the truth; this approach is an effective weapon aimed at swaying public opinion about high-profile cases. I watched and worried through her escapeto find her childrens real attackerthat bushy haired stranger . I have no idea whether or not she was guilty of the crime. The answers to those questions do not matter anymore. The implication was not only cruel, in the light of what Diane was suffering, it was also clear. Q. I think it would give the blog more integrity and transparency. 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? They came up with an explanation as to why this was the wrong gun but the jig was up. Jeff, you mention being harsh as if there was a justification for it. Not optional, kids should not be in limbo that long, but it happens all the time. Late Tom Billings had been the first who openly questioned Diane Downs guilt. Not exclusively a USA trait, this happens also in many countries, but in a technologically advanced superpower like USA this attitude is more shocking, and maybe also more worldwide spread. Gun shot residue is not always present. Inflammatory and speculative I am a Mortuary science student, true crime fanatic, and have been following the Downs case since it happened. So it looks and sounds like she is getting special treatment because of her notoriety. Being a patient of the doctor who saved the childrens lives has nothing to do with the facts of a case. Either way, it appears to be a conflict of interest. To Lisa Griggs It isnt there all the time. 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. The US is a very strange bird when it comes to crime and punishment. I agree. It always feels like punishment at all costs. Mostly, because it was poorly investigated and they focused on Diane solely the minute they met her. 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. The chief prosecutor adopting the children beggars belief! Not that it matters, your opinion is about the case and not subject to geography. We could say that it was suggestive on his part, but considering how this trial was conducted, I tend to believe it happened. I am a strong believer that pregnancy can do serious harm to some women. 3. She did it. She functions best in highly structured environments where she has a sense of control. 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). This blogger thinks that if you had bothered reading the blogs that you just mentioned, you would know that I do not call anyone innocent. For the children to be legally free for adoption a termination of parental rights had to occur. Then they just got shut out. I asked her brother James an answer to your question. It became more about despising Diane Downs than investigating fairly. She also underwent a gun residue test that same evening that revealed no trace of gun powder on her hands. The following article hopes to help you make more suitable choices and get more useful information Anyways. Thanks again for bringing this to my attention. I agree with your comment. This is an extremely tragic case and her children at the very least deserve justice. 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. Diane may very well be guilty, but YIKES this investigation and trial seemed so butchered and tilted in the prosecutions favour. They were not truth seekers and enjoyed a nice burning at the stake instead. If the media was anything at the time it was favorable towards her. Posted by October 30, 2021 apush gilded age test on why didn't steve downs get custody The way it was. 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. In an earlier comment you stated that Diane had met all of the requirements for parole. I think that Van Houten was recommended for parole by a system that assessed that after 40 years, she was not a threat to society and a reformed woman. We, who watched her parole hearing a few years ago prayed HARD that she wouldnt be set free, know she is guilty. 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. Fingerprints at the crime scene were not produced by the State. There is no way that a jury would convict Diane today, based on the clearly coached testimony of Christie. But I am more than willing to review any new info. Why was no one in the family given the right to adopt them. The fact that the accused in this case was atypical, makes her the perfect target. Steven and Diane married on November 13, 1973. In case you did not read the blog: 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 deviant sociopath. Seeing her giggle and laugh during a videoed reconstruction gave me, as a mother, a sickening feeling. Considering that the marks on the lethal bullets did not fit the bullet fingerprinting found in the rifle, this gun switcheroo was a good save for the state, but did not support the theory presented at trial either. Its more understandable now, after all this time but it has done her so much harm, then and now When analysing this blog, look at three statements from the blogger: Diane Downs and Alice Crummins were considered sluts 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. In a fairly good knot which would have taken time to do one handed and teeth. Charlene would call Diane at all hours of the day and night to threaten violence if Diane continued on with her husband. The rest of the family? This blogger believes in the presumption of innocence and in the possibility of redemption. The prosecutor didn't even know that after the Mother's Day road rage incident in 2020, Rivas was charged in Maryland with leaving the scene of another accident involving bodily injury. 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. It was cited that she keeps her emotions close to the vest. 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. 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 So how she behaved at the time, should not have been a factor influencing the authorities. To have separated Christie from her brother and the rest of the family to be able to get her mom was unconscionable. He didn't indicate whether Downs would appeal. They played the tape in the courtroom, and the fact that Diane did not break down but tapped her foot to the music, was supposed to be another proof of her guilt. (Yes, speculative). Diane recanted the stories about her dad who vehemently denied them. Her lover and former husband testified against her but it did not represent evidence but character assassination. Usually it isnt there but every once in awhile, it comes out. Diane had consulted a psychologist after the tragedy and after months of consultation, she was never diagnosed as a sociopath. Its too late for me to call myself a murderer (when I am not) just to purchase my freedom. They said she was going slow but the time at which she arrived seems to indicate otherwise. Its more boring to tell the truth and the readers might not have flocked to read a fair story without no real heroes and villains. Again thats opinion, and neither balanced nor objective. Therefore, my understanding is that the original sentence is deemed indefinite with parole hearings every 10 years. Did u learn nothing?? Ann Rule did not leave a great legacy as far as honest reporting goes, and she is not the only one to have commercialized a criminal case for personal gain. I care about what was said at trial. If she was the shooter, it had to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Not our place to decide. Diane had a few lovers, which Knick refused to acknowledge (Appendix 81, pages 1508, 1520). Its a dangerous proposition when a lack of due process becomes acceptable because they know she is guilty. Christie could not speak but after some rehab, she said repeatedly that she did not know who shot them. Then ask yourself if thats how you want your son to grow up. Guilty or not, the case was handled with prejudice and many errors occurred. TIL On May 19, 1983, Diane Downs shot her three children and drove them at 5-7 mph to the hospital. Go reading US: The American Gulag, 26 Mar 2009 Exploding prison populations in the US serve a basic need of capitalism. Theres a lot to be said here, still. I removed the dumb and crass part of your comment. Why am I not arguing the facts of the trial? Mind: Wrongful convicted. They brought cakes and cookies and became friends so they were not going to fight over this. The fact that Dianes injury was way more serious than they tried to pretend? Not right at all. I mean if a guy admits to killing children over and over, shouldnt we pay attention to that? Until the end of the trial. Her character was also too much on the forefront. I agree that the verdict may have been very different. Her power to manipulate is why she is where she is to begin with. Because Foote was already familiar with the case, the presiding judge assigned him the murder trial after Downs was charged with the shootings. 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.. It was writtenrepeatedly in the daily notes that the children were happy to see their mom and asked for her. But in my opinion, it shows how Diane was disturbed and could also have found a better path in life if given the chance and the right support. It was far fetched, unfoundedand convenientlyrelayedby Rule to boost the sales of her book. 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. What mother takes her kids out at night and then stops for a stranger with her kids in the car? 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. And by the way, I wrote the blogs about Rule way before she passed. And the flat affect and sometimes inappropriate smiling would come with the territory so you cannot judge her actions without taking into account that she might not have been acting according to the norms. Wasnt it speculative on their part? No. You indicated you were not going to get a divorce? Her 7-year old daughter Cheryl died but her 3-year old son Danny and her 8-year old daughter Christie survived. I try to bring out the details that were ignored because Down was so unpopular. Everything matters in a trial and investigation. I almost felt bad for her.that being she seemed so lost in her lies..she just hangs in limbo now. I guess Diane forgot to have that part engraved on the Unicorn. I feel compelled to comment on this blog, because having recently read Ann Rules book, I feel exactly as you did. While these are all good questions, (and were maybe all asked in the jury room during deliberations) I doubt the answers even matter anymore. Foote denied the motion and declared you have an attorney, use him.. When a white attractive woman like Diane Downs appears on the scene while displaying seemingly unpleasant characteristics as a mother and a personality disorder, there is no telling what the media will do with the story. But the Parole Board refused to hear her. Nowadays, this insanity would never be tolerated. 3 yr. ago. It was not unlike brainwashing. My beef is with the interference by the media, TV shows and Ann Rule They are set in stone and people refuse to see it any other way. The circumstances surrounding the case were not enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This blog is riddled with inconsistencies, suppositions and a lack of the most basic referencing (e.g. None of this is EVIDENCE of anything in regard to the murder trial, and not once did I read that it was. They were in a difficult situation becausewithout evidence, they could notcharge her for the crime. 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). Legally speaking, we do not go after people because they look evil or crazy. I agree about pregnancy and childbirth affecting women differently, and even having different effects for the same woman with different pregnancies. This blogger apparently believes anything she hears to support her inaccurate theory that Diane Downs was falsely accused and convicted. Her daughter told the media she watched Small Sacrifices several times. On the single count of murder, the jurors needed a unanimous decision. They went through the process which demonstrates a certain level of commitment in itself. At the very least, she should have been released by now. The prosecutor would gently shake his head and the good judge would follow with a ruling. At what point during these meetings did she start calling him Dad? After arriving at the nearest hospital where the nursing staff and doctors attended to the children, the police were called in and her parents arrived promptly. No forensic evidence pointing to her, just conjecture based on how mothers should act. It is not a run of the mill case. After all, Cheryl Downs is basically serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for her mothers crime. The inconsistencies and obvious lack of evidence in this case should have called for a wider investigation instead of solely focusing on their prime suspect. Lets also remember that this is the US of A and we dont lock people up for being narcissistic, antisocial histrionic individuals. Nothing came from Diane herself. So if we started judging people harshly for their flaws, it would never end. Is Diane really a threat anymore? Page 26 of Case History. 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.. Mr. 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. It became judicial kidnapping to obtain a coerced confession: inflammatory Whether or not Mrs. Frederickson could have attacheda clinical lab to Dianes not being herself the day the Detectives pressured Diane to accompany them, the fact is Diane was clearly suffering the residual effects of that chemical poison in her system. A. I was still living in the house, yes, sir. The states own witness, Dr. George Suckow and Dr. Polly Jamison denounced Prosecutor Hugis practice as improper and unethical (Appendix 101 and 104). Halo Infinite. It is not, nor should be, a Conflict of Interest for a caring adult to Foster one or more siblings. Dianes injury had to be quite painful and shewas in shockwhile driving to the hospital and accompanying the detectives to the crime scene. I was always really bothered by that. What was the justification? It does not get any bigger than this. I look forward to reading your other blogs. In 1979, headstrong Diane gave birth to Danny who was not Stevens biological son because he had no desire to be a father again. Maybe because of her notoriety and the victims were children. It should have raised a red flag concerning her mental stability or the possibility that more people were involved. CK was willing to take, or attempt to take, the lives of 4 people in order to steal their car. She signed an affidavit to that effect and wanted the jury informed of it but it was never done. They would have welcomed them with open arms. The diagnosis of the psychiatrist for the state is also clearly documented. Foster Carers says either Australia or England to me. 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. They now throw people in prison in the US for debts. They examined her clothes also. They would have tried to reopen the case. She attacked her husband and ripped his neck open in a jealous rage (Appendix 81, page 1520), tearing from his neck the gold chain he still wore from his first marriage (a gift from his first wife). I agree. 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 ? I go through every new finding and I point out what was done at trial that did not respect due process. Also, I agree he does look a little like the actor who played Fred Hugi but I think it might be a coincidence. Any thoughts on how the detectives basically made up their mind right away in spite of numerous tips coming in? I might not have put enough information to your liking, but I stuck to what came out at trial and not the fantasy factory coming from the state, the media and Rule. From reading the blog and my little understanding of this case, Ms Downs remains in custody as she is considered a dangerous offender. Many individuals associated with the the child welfare system, for one reason or another, choose to adopt children. This case needed to be examined more thoroughly, but the mob mentality didnt allow it. Dianes daughter started saying that she did not know who shot them right when she got adopted. Halo 4. Downs, born Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, was a 27-year-old divorced postal worker when she pulled up outside a hospital in Oregon in May 1983. There are many cases where investigators jump to conclusions either because in their gut they think they know or pressure to make an arrestand i guess with all the attention this case got they gave their gut and the public what they wanted. In fact, Diane had consulted a psychologist after the tragedy and after months of consultation, she was never diagnosed as a sociopath. This is what I try to do when I research a case that was deemed to be a slam dunk. An earlier commenter wrote that it doesnt matter that the trail or the investigation was faultyWHAT !? Diane and her family fought for them but were blocked from day one. But you sure did comment like a true asshole, huh? Also, the title of the website clearly demonstrates an inherit bias. We dont know. LMFAO!!!! No conflict of interest there? Or why the fact that he was a con artist made him such a credible guy in this case. One of the more bizarre scenes in this farce of an investigation was about to unfold. 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. She always seems to have not a very close contact with reality. 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. The only reason they kept her in prison even if she had all the right documentation and support, is because she is high profile. He needed, now more than ever, to vacate the area asap. This seems very punitive to have a law like this be retroactive. Once again, Diane said a lot of things. 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: relevance? One of them named Angel, called 15-year-old Christie on the phone. I am not saying that Diane was a saint or Ann Rule a demon. At first I thought she did it, now I made further research and I dont know what to think. I think you may be right that she is likely still locked up due to her diagnoses of antisocial, histrionic and narcissistic, but again, no one would care and this crappy diagnosis wouldnt have been bought and paid for if not the high profile nature of the case. Moreover, he apparently told her that he did not want children and this statement alone would seal Dianes fate. 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. But you dont mention that she again has changed her story.. Five doctors have observed and documented this phenomenon. The fruit of this abduction was the May 23, 1983, videotape re-enactment staged by Detective Tracy in which Diane is clearly hysterical. Women who were somewhat normal begore, get pregnant, have the baby, then drown it a toilet, kill or beat the the baby in the first year..shaking or other means..its less often then notbut better believe these type of cases are reported constantly now on social media. Or be mentally ill. After six weeks in Oregon where the children were happily spending time with their grandparents while Diane worked her postal route, the incident happened on a dark road that led to Diane being accused of murder and attempted murder. 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. After parting ways, the couple would soon meet again in Arizona which would end up in them reigniting and reconnecting their fling. She had no blood spatter or gun powder residue on her hands,clothing or hair. The fact that they used her daughter and lied about the gun they could never find makes it a wrongful conviction. 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. Doesnt change the fact that it was still a conflict of interest.