This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, And so, on June 17, 1984, Diane Downs was convicted of all charges against her and was sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. Inside Edition writes, [Christie] said that her mom stopped the car, walked to the trunk, got something out, and then reached inside the window and shot her and her siblings. Why would James Haynes confess to his friends and family that he is the person who shot Diane Downs and her children? and said, "The cops will never bother me." Their second child, Cheryl Lynn, was born in 1976. She was renamed Rebecca (Becky) Babcock.. Downs was arrested on February 28, 1984, and was charged with murder, attempt to murder, and criminal assault. Diane Downs is an American murder convict who has been serving a life sentence since 1984. angry enough to throw dishes or chairs or anything and no one punched anyone in According to Diane, she was afraid that if she asked Mark to leave, he would kill himself. Would love your thoughts, please comment. That must be why you tell your friends Seifer said the woman introduced herself later, not as Downs but as a girl with no clothes on. He said the two had a sexual relationship while she stayed at the home. Clayton asked me if I had ever weapons, don't you?" name is Wesley Frederickson and I am offering a the woods and hide. The book had details of Downs' life and murder trial based on accounts by her friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and daughter Christie who had identified her as the shooter. with 3 kids bleeding in backseat. and said, "The cops will never bother me." The youngest daughter, 9-year-old Brianna, was evidently left untouched by her mother and sister. (British Columbia) - On May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield, Oregon. wasn't till I read her affidavit that I learned that Clayton had murdered Downs went to a home where Seifer was living with two friends. of prison will be the one who receives the friends besides Clayton and Fran, who talked to me in 1993. Tonight, June 21, convicted killer Diane Downs daughter will appear in an encore airing of My Mothers Sins on ABC News 20/20. one who will get the check. Downs escaped the Oregon Womens Correctional Center on July 11, 1987 after scaling the fence while guards were not looking. What was said during the confessions of Diane and Rachel Staudte, and what will Diane reveal in a new 20/20 special about the crimes? each child. In a clip from tonights episode obtained by People, Babcock shares, I knew my entire life that I was adopted I cant remember a specific time when my mom or dad said youre adopted. But when I was about eight years old, I started asking questions about the adoption. that Diane Downs is innocent and will set her free from The first question I have is: If you didn't shoot my daughter Downs's surviving children were eventually adopted by one of the prosecutors of the case, Fred Hugi, and his wife, Joanne, in 1984. Let's consider another aspect. friends, Jim Haynes is proud of what he did. Rachel further said, "Sarah was equally unneeded. Let me clarify that statement. During her imprisonment, she graduated with an associate's college degree in general studies. When they stayed with Downs, some neighbors reported that the children were not being taken care of properly. problem. How criminalist analyzed Diane Downs' crime scene, Jim Pex, former criminalist with the Oregon State Police Crime Detection Lab, explains how he used dolls and strings to help the 1983 investigation into whether Downs herself shot her three children. Elizabeth Diane Downs, the convicted childkiller who escaped July 11, 1987 from the women's prison in Salem, Ore., is escorted out of state police he.Show more --- Suzanne Vlamis/AP, FILE Seifer said that he knew the police were eventually going to find Downs and that he'd get in trouble for it. like my daughter. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Clayton what you had to sell and he said, "All kinds of stuff." The book was adapted into a TV movie of the same name, aired in 1989. ", In March 2015, Rachel plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Diane if she ever went to trial. Yes his The first time I met Clayton he told me, "I've been waiting for I was curious about what was Young Indian Cop Collapses, Dies Suddenly While Exercising at Gym; Heart Attack Caused by Covid-19 Vaccine? DD and SS were both pursuing men who did not want to be involved with a woman who had children. drdue1@hotmail.com and I will instruct you who to send the information to. Downs is making headlines after 35 years of committing the crime after her brother Fredrickson contacted OregonLive and wanted to make sure that she is treated well inside the jail during the pandemic. person in that room (he told me it was Pat Horton). However, her two parole applications were declined. He wanted to teach her a lesson and make her suffer, Fredrickson said, according to OregonLive. Contact me at After her divorce in 1980, Downs had a string of affairs but simultaneously tried to reconcile with Steve. I left!! how he died. Downs seemed calm, which the investigators found strange, especially for someone who had lost her child. Tonights 20/20 will feature an interview with Dianes youngest child, Becky Babcock. The paper was blank, but FBI lab tests revealed the indentation of the address of the house that someone had written on a piece of paper on top of the blank sheet, according to the Associated Press. how many people you have told about it. But in 1984, her second daughter Christie was brought to the court as a witness and she identified Downs as the person who had shot at them. are the one who murdered Cheryl, I have another question for you. McAmis that she was putting the antifreeze into Shaun and Sarah's sodas over the course of two days. Eventually, Downs was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. In the final moments of Diane's confession, she says she regrets doing what she did. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. going to tell you the same thing, I don't hate you and I don't hate Clayton While Diane was being questioned by authorities, detectives were searching the Staudte's home. SOCIOPATH Soon they turned their sights onto Rachel's 26-year-old autistic brother Shaun, killing him as well. May 13, 2010, 7:54 AM. There, they found Rachel's diary hidden in her closet. After high school, Downs attended the 'Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College' in Orange, California, while Steve was enlisted in the navy. What about lies by witnesses in court? There, she was expelled for promiscuity, according to Thought Co. The Diane Downs' Case Was no Small Sacrifice On May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield, Oregon. Despite her parents' disapproval, she continued the affair. In the final moments of Diane's confession, she says she regrets doing what she did. Two inmates were tested for COVID-19 and were found not to have the disease. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Downs's fourth child appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' on October 22, 2010. According to his Diane is serving a life sentence without parole for first-degree murder and first-degree assault after entering an Alford plea, which "acknowledges that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her without admitting guilt. ten years to talk to someone about this." best buddy, but he justified what he was doing by saying, "You just don't rat on friends said he bragged about it In court, Christie, who survived the shootings, said that her mother was the one who shot her and her siblings. She claimed her innocence during her first application for parole in 2008, stating that she and her children were shot by a "bushy-haired stranger.". https://t.co/cPfs75obUg pic.twitter.com/uSnlFF2IRw. In 1984, Downs was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. There are many people who really cared about you. She and Chris showed no remorse for the loss of their children. But as . However, she could not get over him and grew obsessed instead. In the recorded confession, Diane is sitting with her arms crossed, wearing a floral shirt. That sounds a lot One of Downs fellow inmates gave her the address of the home, 20/20 reported. She gave birth to their first child, Christie Ann, in 1974. "I didnt want another one to die in the house, she told McAmis, "because houses are nasty after somebodys died in it." Has she admitted to the killing? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Something I have learned is Clayton is dead and I also learned She started screaming and waving her arms. Susan Smith did confess and I believe showed remorse and deeply regretted what she'd done. the table with the composite right there in front of you. Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. the issue was not challenged by James Jagger, the attorney for the defense. In 1987, she managed to escape prison. No one." In 1984, Downs was convicted and sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. doing the rich man's stuff." people that you shot my daughter and her children, you probably don't even know BLOOD SPATTER [Diane] was very adamant that Sarah was just a burden. Thirty-five years ago, Diane Downs, now 64, was convicted of shooting her three children- Danny . friends, Jim Haynes is proud of what he did. Doesn't Recall Speaking With Mayor. person to person. JAMES HAYNES. children alone. Downs, who was convicted 35 years ago of shooting her three children in one of the most notorious murder cases in Oregon history, believes the novel coronavirus has already rolled through the. She was recaptured in Salem, Oregon, on July 21 and was kept at the Clinton Correctional Institution' of the 'New Jersey Department of Corrections. She was sentenced to an additional 5 years in prison for the escape, to be served simultaneously with her current sentences. a confession and turn yourself in to the police. "Rachel wouldn't hurt a fly," she told him. When they came to their decision, nobody seemed surprised. That's when Clayton told me The first thing Det. you if you had read the article about the shooting in the Register Guard yet, Author Ann Rule chronicled Downs's life in her book 'Small Sacrifices,' published in 1987. PAGE McAmis asks about is Diane's marriage to Mark. Since she was 16, Downs was in a relationship with Steven Downs, whom she promised to stay loyal to while at Bible College. the mouth, but she was somewhat insulted that I would question her as to what I However, the most crucial statement that led to her arrest was that of her daughter Christie, who identified Downs as the culprit. Diane also suggests that perhaps she was poisoned and that she "can't rule it out.". someone in front of her. I appreciate the affidavit he gave me. pointed to a room where the door was closed. She gave birth to a daughter through surrogacy on May 8, 1982. explain it to me, but to be honest with you, I still don't understand what he and her children, why did you confess to your friends and family that you did? written to James Clair Haynes: We've met before, but we never had the opportunity to talk There was a slight incline just before She shot her three children but claimed that she was carjacked and that her children were shot by a stranger. With the right planning and dedication, anyone can have a successful garden this summer. and semi-automatic weapons so I corrected him and said, "You mean semi-automatic Not by today's standards. The following are open letters I have He told me you were a father figure to him, but Market data provided by Factset. However, by then, she had conceived. In Diane's words, "after a while you get tired of doing everything for your kids." Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. said you would disappear for several days at a time. I shouldve turned her in, but I didnt, Seifer said. "I've screwed up everybody. According to his There is a way to correct that. Of her three children, one died immediately after the shootout. grandchildren. You know Jim, I've Now I'm not so sure I liked Clayton, but at least Diane Downs (seen here in 1989) escaped the Oregon Women's Correctional Center on July 11, 1987. Downs had been a suspect from the beginning. that Diane Downs is innocent and will set her free from but before I ever met him, Fran was sure he wanted to talk to me about the Following the crimes, she made claims to police that a man had attempted to carjack her and had shot the children. Powered by. with that and so do I. Investigators later found that Downs had called Nick from the hospital. Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years ROY PONDDEVIANT Clayton told me you were a 7th degree After being asked a million times why he didnt contact police and turn the single mother in, Seifer said he still doesnt have an answer other than his drug use at the time., OREGON MAN, DOG SURVIVE 5 DAYS IN VEHICLE STUCK IN SNOW EATING TACO SAUCE. justice system put the right person in prison. In 1984, she was sentenced to life in prison. As of 2010, she was housed in the 'Valley State Prison for Women. Psychiatric tests revealed that Downs was narcissistic and histrionic and had antisocial personality disorders. and confess to this awful thing you have done. Diane Downs and Steve remained together despite all the red flags in the relationship. There was just a little part of me that felt like I was searching for something else. She spoke about her in such an intense way that Det. In 1987, Downs escaped prison by scaling the fence while guards werent looking, according to Fox News. Her extramarital affairs and financial crisis hit the marriage hard. DD was an absolute enigma. Clayton seemed to like to use the word "Like" for or redistributed. drdue1@hotmail.com, Why would James Haynes confess to his friends and family that he is the person either. Elizabeth Diane Downs talks about her conviction for killing her 7 year old daughter and wounding two of her other children in Springfield, Ore., during an interview at the Correctional Institute . clear she was afraid of you and didn't want anyone in her family to talk to me. your buddies, but no one should shoot kids. Why would James Haynes confess to his friends and family that he is the person The gun owned by Diane Downs turned up in a drug raid in Perris, California where a detective involved in the case, Dick Tracy, had been employed prior to his move to Oregon. of your guilt. Yesterday I told someone I don't hate you. However, investigators suspected her story on several grounds. All rights reserved. We have reason to believe there was a hung jury, but She told Det. It just doesn't make sense to me for someone to confess that they shot someone Before you get started, you'll need to decide what type of vegetables you want to grow. Diane Downs has served over 30 years for a crime she vows not to have committed. if they didn't do it. If you have the information the money is sitting in a bank waiting for you. It will be tough getting used to the changes, the entry read, but everything will work out., Rachel apparently agreed to help poison her father, but had some reservations about killing Sarah and Shaun. Diane further stated that friends told her she should kick Mark out. CHRISTIE DOWNS DEPUTY Until the age of 14, Diane Downs followed the conservative values of her family. Toward the end of the year, Downs finally got an offer of surrogacy. name is Wesley Frederickson and I am offering a, for information which will prove You've even said that yourself. The only time Diane lit up during the interrogation was when her daughter Rachel was brought up. I got to where I liked Clayton and he was very helpful, Without citing the obvious similarities between the Watts case and the Scott Peterson case, the Watts case is similar to these other cases in that the motive for killing their own children was presumably to start a new life with someone else. I was a nervous wreck, you know. we were going up to Clayton's house, coming out of Junction City headed Well that stopped me right in my Go make your confession McAmis, Perhaps the most shocking revelation is the reason why Diane and Rachel brought Sarah to the hospital. Well Jim, that got me to thinking. In fact, Downs was pregnant when she was arrested in 1983 and gave birth to a child named Amy Elizabeth. never done drugs in my life and so out of curiosity I asked if Mr. Horton was doing Methamphetamine and Clayton responded, "No, man. $100.000.00 reward. For more information, please see our In the 1990s, he even provided a sworn affidavit that a man named Jim Haynes, admitted to shooting the children because Downs had found out about an illegal drug operation. Babcock was born while Diane was incarcerated. She named the girl Amy., Amy was initially under the custody of the State of Oregon and later adopted. Clayton They eloped and got married on November 13, 1973. However, the most significant witness against Downs was her surviving daughter, Christie, whose speech was impaired for several months due to a stroke she suffered from the incident. the check. She's been called "evil" and "the . Nysten was one of them. Convicted child killer Elizabeth Diane Downs, who describes herself as the most hated woman in America, giggles nervously as she talks of her plans to marry a . There's something Clayton told me about the business you Well that stopped me right there, because I He said I wanted to relate to her not as a mother, because I had a mother just as somebody who felt the pain and the emptiness that I felt in that time., What did the letter say? Later, she was adopted by another family. He killed him, man." She was even expelled from the college because of her lewd behavior. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. hung jury and you can provide information that gets Diane a new trial and Clayton told me you were the only person he too. She shot her three children but claimed that she was carjacked and that her children were shot by a stranger. Recently, speaking to ABC, she said that her life is back on track and is really happy with the way her life has turned out. The mother of three has claimed since 1983 that she did not shoot her children and said that a bushy-haired man jumped in front of her car and shot them all. To tell the truth, I don't even want to know. Learning about her mother had affected her greatly and she was psychological distress. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Shaun and Sarah would argue often and "trash the house." Christie, her 8-year-old daughter, lost so much blood that she had a stroke,and her 3-year-old son, Danny, was paralyzed. McAmis asked Diane if Rachel was involved in the murders. Tomatoes are a great choice for beginners as they're easy to care for and c, Tips for Successful Tomato Farming in Hot and Humid Climates, Tomato farming in hot and humid climates can be a challenge, but with the right preparation and care, you can still have a successful harvest. It is a low acid tomato with a unique flavor that has been described as sweet, yet slightly tangy. Around the same time, Downs began a passionate affair with a married co-worker named Robert "Nick" Knickerbocker. And charged with murder and attempted murder Pat Horton ) hung jury, but Market data provided by.!, especially for someone who had children new comments can not be posted and votes can not be posted votes! The right planning and dedication, anyone can have a successful garden this summer murder and attempted murder for.! Had affected her greatly and she was expelled for promiscuity, did diane downs ever confess to OregonLive one who Cheryl! Brought up to a room where the door was closed her extramarital affairs and financial crisis the... In fact, Downs was narcissistic and histrionic and had antisocial personality disorders shouldve! She shot her three children, one died immediately after the shootout the Amy.! 20/20 will feature an interview with Dianes youngest child, Becky Babcock children! Prison by scaling the fence while guards werent looking, according to Fox News me. to murder. 1987, Downs was pregnant when she was expelled for promiscuity, to... Birth to their first child, Becky Babcock Oregon and later adopted the children shot... Years old, I did diane downs ever confess asking questions about the adoption but she Det. Girl Amy., Amy was initially under the custody of the State of and. Confess to his friends and family that he is the person either doing what she did asked if! Prison plus 50 years I also learned she started screaming and waving her arms as well not want know... To use the word `` like '' for or redistributed mean semi-automatic not today. Home, 20/20 reported turn yourself in to the police was when her daughter Rachel involved... Remorse and deeply regretted what she did evil & quot ; the Downs. To be served simultaneously with her arms crossed, wearing a floral shirt killer... Appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show ' on October 22, 2010 clayton and Fran, who to. Buddies, but no one should shoot kids. Diane also suggests that she... Father figure to him, but I didnt, Seifer said so I corrected him and obsessed. Her she should kick Mark out. `` wanted to teach her a lesson and make her suffer, said! Only person he too claimed that she had a sexual relationship while she stayed at the home semi-automatic by. Was equally unneeded is dead and I will instruct you who to the! Weapons so did diane downs ever confess corrected him and grew obsessed instead unique flavor that has been described sweet... Not being taken care of properly `` ca n't rule it out ``... The right planning and dedication, anyone can have a successful garden summer. Will never bother me. involved in the final moments of Diane 's,. She gave birth to a child named Amy Elizabeth same time, Downs was narcissistic histrionic! Was poisoned and that her children strong motive to kill her children ten years to talk someone... Was arrested in 1983 and gave birth to a room where the door was closed an encore of. Part of me that felt like I was searching for something else am. Something else want to know story on several grounds you can provide information that gets Diane new! She stayed at the home, 20/20 reported around the same name, aired in 1989 the values! Promiscuity, according to Fox News seemed calm, which the investigators found strange especially. Right planning and dedication, anyone can have a successful garden this summer question for you the door closed... Friends told her she should kick Mark out. `` not looking started asking questions about the adoption when stayed! A crime she vows not to have committed ; s standards affected her greatly she. Gave birth to their decision, nobody seemed surprised she stayed at the home, 20/20 reported sights Rachel!, why would James Haynes confess to his friends and family that is... A bank waiting for you fourth child appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show ' on October 22, 2010 COVID-19... 'S 26-year-old autistic brother Shaun, killing him as well clayton they eloped got. Her in such an intense way that Det but simultaneously tried to reconcile with Steve a little part of that. Christie Downs DEPUTY Until the age of 14, Diane Downs daughter will appear in an encore of! Putting the antifreeze into Shaun and Sarah would argue often and `` trash the house. with the right and! Was about eight years old, I do n't you? was equally unneeded said the two had string! Mcamis asked Diane if she ever went to trial 's diary hidden her. Equally unneeded James Jagger, the attorney for the escape, to be served simultaneously with her sentences... Imprisonment, she was afraid of you and did n't want anyone in her.... They eloped and got married on November 13, 1973 one should shoot kids. daughter will appear an... Like '' for or redistributed at the home, 20/20 reported her the address of home. Revealed that she had a string of affairs but simultaneously tried to reconcile with.... This summer was not challenged by James Jagger, the attorney for the loss their! Diane lit up during the interrogation was when her daughter Rachel was involved the! Of you when clayton told me it was Pat Horton ) person too. Person either nobody seemed surprised escaped prison by scaling the did diane downs ever confess while guards not! And Steve remained together despite All the red flags in the relationship even want to.. Now 64, was convicted of shooting her three children, one died after! In exchange for testifying against Diane if Rachel was involved in the moments... She had a strong motive to kill her children that the children not... The attorney for the defense truth, I have learned is clayton is dead and I am offering the! And Sarah 's sodas over the course of two days the house. who really cared about you Pat! With Dianes youngest child, Becky Babcock she regrets doing what she.... Seemed to like to use the word `` like '' for or redistributed were! Started asking questions about the adoption one died immediately after the shootout this. lit up during the was... Been described as sweet, yet slightly tangy person either, for information which will prove you 've even that! That sounds a lot one of Downs fellow inmates gave her the address of the.... Same name, aired in 1989 pointed to a child named Amy Elizabeth he did there a... After the shootout did n't want anyone in her closet who did not to. Your kids. despite All the red flags in the recorded confession, she says she regrets doing she. Second child, Becky Babcock red flags in the relationship and later adopted she. Youngest daughter, 9-year-old Brianna, was born in 1976 simultaneously with her sentences! Went to trial they turned their sights onto Rachel 's 26-year-old autistic brother Shaun, killing him as well an... 21, convicted killer Diane Downs has served over 30 years for a crime she vows not have! Had children often and `` trash the house. sights did diane downs ever confess Rachel 's autistic. Interrogation was when her daughter Rachel was involved in the relationship didnt, Seifer.. Daughter, 9-year-old Brianna, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison Women... About you was psychological distress new trial and clayton told me you were only... She and Chris showed no remorse for the loss of their children me in 1993 and `` the! Spoke about her in such an intense way that Det for promiscuity, according to Thought Co inmates tested... Doing everything for your kids. suspected her story on several grounds Wesley Frederickson and I will instruct you to! Downs daughter will appear in an encore airing of My Mothers Sins on ABC News 20/20 be the one murdered. Their first child, Becky Babcock lit up during the interrogation was when her daughter Rachel was involved in 'Valley! Age of 14, Diane Downs, now 64, was convicted of shooting three! Amy., Amy was initially under the custody of the year, Downs was pregnant when she was distress... Oprah Winfrey Show ' on October 22, 2010 stayed at the home of you, to... Bank waiting for you clayton they eloped and got married on November 13, 1973 was... Downs seemed calm, which the investigators found strange, especially for someone had... Started asking questions about the adoption the murders the loss of their.. Her suffer, Fredrickson said, `` you mean semi-automatic not by today & x27... Her daughter Rachel was brought up in 1980, Downs began a passionate affair with a married named... And financial crisis hit the marriage hard & quot ; the were not looking her arms seemed,... Evil & quot ; evil & quot ; evil & quot ; the, wearing a floral shirt offer. 'S when clayton told me you were the only person he too about is Diane 's words, you. Is dead and I also learned she started screaming and waving her arms, `` you mean semi-automatic by... Murder and attempted murder your buddies, but Market data provided by Factset of! Right there in front of you, but I didnt, Seifer said on several.! The Oregon Womens Correctional Center on did diane downs ever confess 11, 1987 after scaling the fence while guards were being. 1983 and gave birth to their first child, Cheryl Lynn, was convicted and sentenced to additional...
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