Standards of conduct are defined by state law, but they generally require a judge to avoid appearances of impropriety, such as avoiding deciding a dispute in which the judge is personally involved in the issue at stake or has a relationship to one of the parties.. I think that she has done enough time and should be released. Diane found with him,the kind of relationship she had never known before: there was actually care and intimacy involved. 132 records for Robert Knickerbocker. Anne Rule made a big deal of a brass unicorn engraved with the childrens names that Diane had purchased. Wow. The lovely Farrah Fawcett who played in the movie Small Sacrifices was known for her epic battles with lover Ryan ONeil. Hugi did not want that. They are the ones who supposedly (according to Diane) screwed her up so badly. To have separated Christie from her brother and the rest of the family to be able to get her mom was unconscionable. I have plans to go hunting with the husband of one of the alternates.. The goal is always to keep family ties intact. Even if the nurses notes indicated countless times that the children asked for their mother and enjoyed her visits, they cut them off from the only family they knew and loved; supposedly for their own protection. Christie was only eight, had suffered gunshot wounds and was in shock. Mr. Downs must have had a bad feeling about Jagger because before trial: speculation She should of been sentenced to death. Related To Dorothy Knickerbock. In a fairly good knot which would have taken time to do one handed and teeth. Modernism mixed with Medieval state of mind. This is a more common route for children with parents who are incarcerated for what looks to be the entire childhood of the children. It was pitch black outside. The bitches own daughter identified Downs as the shooter. http://www.manipulatedtrial.de/oregon_s_small_sacrifices_1603.pdf. How was DD able to get away from CK and get the keys back into the ignition without there being more attempts on her life? A group of ladies formed a group called HELDD which stands for Help Exonerate & Liberate Diane Downs. The cops admitted that they never investigated the tips about a bushy haired stranger. Rule defended her right to earn a living and to tell her story. Evidence or not, they were going to do their best to put her away for life. Most importantly why would anybody shoot 3 children potentially fatally and leave the adult with a wound in her arm. This video of Jagger absolutely looks like the photo that you find on search engines for Fred Hugi. Dianes family could give you countless examples of the inaccuracies they found in her book. They already had made up their mind that Diane was the perpetrator so they laughed off the idea of the bushy haired stranger. The problem was that they could not find the gun anywhere and they had nothing on Diane. Wrong. This unexpected proposal took Diane by surprise at a large family gathering. I hope she is granted parole. Christie was it though. It gave Anne Rule carte blanche to legally use these labels in her book and it stuck. Steve knew that Diane had multiple affairs, and that Danny was not his biological son, and he and Diane divorced in 1980. They never tried to reunite them with family. Twitter is an internet service where users can update the world in real-time as to their current activities, thoughts and location in 140 characters or less. Diane was pregnant during the trial so if found not guilty, how would she have regained the love of her life? Problem with that is Diane has said during an interview with detectives that the sketch looks nothing like what she described. Robert Knickerbocker in Phoenix, AZ Robert Knickerbocker may also have lived outside of Phoenix, such as Carefree and Scottsdale. The states own witness, Dr. George Suckow and Dr. Polly Jamison denounced Prosecutor Hugis practice as improper and unethical (Appendix 101 and 104). 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. The fact that Dianes injury was way more serious than they tried to pretend? My opposition to movies about true crime stories is unshakable. Diane had met all the requirements to be paroled. Besides, none of those diagnoses are illegal. Why on earth would anyone recommend leaving the kids with the grandparents? The Parole Board had an obligation to parole Diane between 1998 and 2002 if she could provide reasonable cause to show she was not a danger to society. Ive been trying to decipher her handwriting on the couple of pages she wrote to her daughter (misquoted on here somewhere is a highlighted If you love your little boy, youll take him far away from here- why is this being taken as a threat and not a warning?!). The bushy haired stranger that police had gotten a lead on worked at the country club he was at work at that time and had a sever speech impediment. So I did not post your comment about his answer to your inquiry. I bet the records are and always have been sealed regarding this aspect of the case. But you are right to say that it is my site. I look forward to reading your other blogs. Her husband turned out to be a player and a very irresponsible guy who did not really love her. And yes, its your site, but dont act like a site is open for discussion if its not. 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. I am a Mortuary science student, true crime fanatic, and have been following the Downs case since it happened. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. I guess Diane forgot to have that part engraved on the Unicorn. 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. Comments about the title of the website, the blogger, the bias, details like the word bipolar and when it was used when cyclothymic disorder was diagnosed by the person who treated the subject and there is an affidavit posted. Also, the title of the website clearly demonstrates an inherit bias. But she suffered from mental illness and the circumstances were traumatic. and so on. (Yes, speculative). . I felt there was something that should be done, but I was at a loss in how to cope with the Court that had given the children to the prosecutor and allowed false testimony to seal her fate. Considering the circumstances, it is difficult not to be a bit cynical about this grand gesture. During a trial, we have to go with evidence only. If I included the ones I dont post, it would need more than a like or dislike button. It became judicial kidnapping to obtain a coerced confession. As for Diane, give me a break. ), Interesting suggestion. But you dont mention that she again has changed her story. Diane Downs's boyfriend, Robert Knickerbocker was never a suspect or a person of interest in the case. Get Notified when Robert Arthur Knickerbocker's info changes. I do not believe that this type of abuse would occur today. We cant. At the point Diane jumped into the car, her broken arm (resting in a sling in front of her) slammed into the steering wheel. I guess he did not want too many people to know about the improprieties that happened in his courtroom: I guess? As a married man, the ball was in his court and he decided togo forit. Why did CK shoot the kids multiple times and DD once? please express them and I will print them. More reason to have investigated the case more thoroughly. The person who shot the kids was leaning inside the car because they were shot at close range. In fact, Diane had consulted a psychologist after the tragedy and after months of consultation, she was never diagnosed as a sociopath. Again I go back to how times were back then. Whats next? Hospital employees recall that Downs attitude was very strange and she seemed incredibly calm in spite of her tragic situation. Nobody near to help. It should have raised a red flag concerning her mental stability or the possibility that more people were involved. Everywhere, EXCEPT the door through which Diane reported to police, the male stranger had passed. Page 37 of Case History. All Filters. He gave temporary custody to Dr. Wilhite. After all, Cheryl Downs is basically serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for her mothers crime. AGE 70s Robert W Knickerbocker Woodlawn, TN Aliases Robert W Knickerbocker Bocker Robert W Knickerbocke Phone Number They did a trace metal test to see if Diane had held a gun. Whenever your shoot a gun that many times and that close to the victims, theres going to be blood and powder residues. Go reading US: The American Gulag, 26 Mar 2009 Exploding prison populations in the US serve a basic need of capitalism. (Appendix 3). 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. I personally disagree with that practice but it is common. Any thoughts on that? Regina, I love your comment! I agree about pregnancy and childbirth affecting women differently, and even having different effects for the same woman with different pregnancies. Child Protective Services takes confidentiality to the extreme (warranted in most cases). Not unlike Diane, Alice did not want to share her pain in public. Legally speaking, we do not go after people because they look evil or crazy. You simply are a rude individual looking for a reaction. Knickerbocker, Robert C.Robert C. Knickerbocker, age 82 of Tucson, AZ, passed away on May 15, 2015 in Tucson. It appeared rigged and the fact that Ann Rule sat in the courtroom ready to produce a Masterpiece of Guilt could only help the prosecution. You cant possibly shake off all the gun powder residue and avoid all the blood. Not right at all. 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. Her 7-year old daughter Cheryl died but her 3-year old son Danny and her 8-year old daughter Christie survived. Substituting reasonable inference and evidence for tarot cards? Almost immediately, police suspected that something was amiss. So Mark, where are you from? In fact, with her continuing to deny committing the crime or expressing remorse, she may never get out. This coercion came to Dianes attention in January 1989 (Appendix 39). Page 41 of case history. And when kids are hurt, emotions keep flowing endlessly. On the witness stand, the young girl was asked if she remembered who shot her. Downs herself had been shot in the forearm during what she claimed was a struggle with the mysterious stranger. And if she did it, she has served her time without displaying any violent tendencies whatsoever. She did it. It could be argued that he developed a relationship with the children and genuinely wanted them to join his family. I watched and worried through her escapeto find her childrens real attackerthat bushy haired stranger . The fact that she was driving five miles per hour to the hospital says it all as a mother myself, I dont care how hurt or mentally damaged I was, I would drive that car 100 MPH to get my children to safety. But there was a lot left unsaid about this relationship. 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. I like to believe the best about people too but there are certain things that absolutely cant be ignored. I know better now than to accept blindly the truth presented to us on a silver platter by the media and the judicial system. He was very irresponsible and probably could not handle them financially and emotionally. They now throw people in prison in the US for debts. 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.. 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. 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. I am a firm believer of where there is smoke there is fire. 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. It is my hope that Leslie Van Houten and Diane Downs are never paroled. I have no dog in this race. That poor girl. Sheriffs Deputy Roy Pond admitted in court that he had already concluded that Diane was guilty and stopped following leads on the orders of his sergeantthree weeks after the shooting. No other shooter involved in her case. 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. Devoting ur life to taking down a dead author is a waste of ur talents. Forensics or lack thereof and blood splatter? The next morning Diane appeared in the courtroom with a police report written by Detective Pond a year earlier, in which Ms. Patterson was sure Diane had gone nowhere near the bathroom the night of the shooting (Appendix 62). I am quite bothered by what happened in that courtroom and in the media. I worked for county government child welfare for a decade. Her daughter told the media she watched Small Sacrifices several times. Ways to honor Robert Knickerbocker's life and legacy. Diane was known for her love of all animals whichshe treated with great care, and for her independent and wild streak. The powers that be knew they had nothing on Diane so Christie became their sacrificial lamb. Until the end of the trial. Her next parole hearing will be in 2020. And he grew up there. Leaving out a lot of info that should be included and presenting a very one sided take on these things. The scene described in Small Sacrifices with little Christie hooked up to a machine and her pulse accelerates because she is terrified ofher mother is doubtful and subject to interpretation. 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). The Case of Liysa Northon Who Said True Crime Does not Pay? That makes no sense. They would have welcomed them with open arms. Downs brought authorities to the crime scene, where police found spent .22 caliber bullet casings, but could not find a weapon. The lousy men in their lives never took a hit because after all, it was these witches fault. The lawsuit against Ann Rule was thrown out as unfounded because after reading her book they could find no inconsistencies She sat thru the entire trial AND used actual court transcripts. Moreover, it was not a suicide case, but of a woman who supposedly shot herself in the arm and her 3 children several times. 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. I will post it when I get it. How.. they attacked him. Everything was in the bag and ready for trial. The notions of humanity and rehabilitation have been left on the wayside long ago. As it was getting dark and the young ones fell asleep in the car, their mother decided to head home. Instead of blaming societal problems and working at finding solutions, prison always seem to be their option. $30k AVERAGE INCOME Our wealth data indicates income average is $30k. I care about what was said at trial. There were many problems with her trial and that matters. Click to read The Case of Liysa Northon Who Said True Crime Does not Pay? I go fishing with a jurors husband. In 1979, headstrong Diane gave birth to Danny who was not Stevens biological son because he had no desire to be a father again. She learnedat a young age to keep her emotions in check and to always present a strong and brave front. 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. 41 followers 41 . To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Ive not seen the movie or read the book. This same witness corroborated that Diane did not stop to do something suspicious or dispose of the gun. She did not have the opportunity to clean her hands with the right product to erase all traces and she was tested pretty fast, contrary to many other cases. There were days she was unhappy to see the staff and her family because she was very ill. That poor girl had a lot of bad moments where she would cry constantly or trigger the machines and to have defined this single incident as one of terror instead of excitement over seeing her mom was biased and self-serving. Say Her Name - But Spell It Right - The Tale of Breonna Taylor, Scott Peterson Was not Entitled to a Perfect Trial, but he Was Entitled to a Fair One He Received Neither. Im from Australia and have recollections of this case. He was questioned, yes, but the police never had a reason to doubt him. If Diane was bipolar, the non-stop chatter would have been inherent to the situation. 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. The fact that they used her daughter and lied about the gun they could never find makes it a wrongful conviction. Three weeks after the crime, Judge Foote from family courts, removed Danny and Christie from the care of Diane Downs and her family. Even on a worldwide scale, the age of accountability is considered to be twelve years old. I hope they have. No conflict of interest there? I am a true crime junkie. Movie scene alleging that Christie was scared. Of course, because this is what she does when people put her on the spot and ask questions concerning her mother and the shooting. The courts were divided in the 80s, family court, traffic court, criminal court, juvenile court I dont believe they ran out of judges to preside over them all. View property details and household demographic information related to income, investments, and interests. 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. That is pure bullshit. The fact that she and her brother Danny were eventually adopted by Fred Hugi who prosecuted Diane Downs is the most blatant case of conflict of interest I have ever heard of. At the very least, she should have been released by now. Ann Rule promotes her books as true crime stories so to this day, viewers believe that the book and the movie titled Small Sacrificesdocument the true story of the Diane Downs case; in fact, it is a mix bag of truth, falsehoods, interpretation and plain fiction. 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. Id have more influence arguing for better relationships with Mexico at a Donald Trump rally in Mexico. Diane found with him, the kind of relationship she had never known before: there was actually care and intimacy involved. I still remember my mother picking up the paper and seeing the headline. 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