BIG SACRIFICES: A Consideration of Flawed Forensics Used to Convict Diane Downs




Crimes of the Century Radio show

Summary: Download Podcast November 14, 2013 marks the second in our “Crimes of the Century” series on flawed forensics. Spotlighted was the high profile murder and attempted murder conviction of Diane Downs, portrayed by the late Farrah Fawcett in the movie “Small Sacrifices”. Diane Downs was convicted in 1984 of killing her 6 year old daughter and attempting to kill her 3 year old son and 8 year old daughter to woo a lover who reportedly did not want children. However, life appears to have imitated art for Diane in that the prosecutor’s case against her seems almost as fictionalized as the corresponding book and referenced Farrah Fawcett movie. Tracking COC listeners through the Diane Downs case facts and circumstances is Diane’s brother, Mr. James Frederickson,and COC’s own Dr. Andrew D. Jackson. Does their presentation leave you with reasonable doubt that Diane killed one and attempted to kill two of her children?