He parked his car around corner of the street. (NB eye witness can confirm he was seen driving up and down their street during the afternoon) Broke in through a bathroom window. Even though it was not made perfectly clear as to the exact sequence of events, as even investigators are not clear, this is what could be viewed as a summary. He attacked Channy, parents alerted, went to her aid as both parent's blood over Channy's bedroom door, all up the hall, over walls and floor, over kitchen where they finally perished. Father at end of kitchen bench and mother near sliding door. There was mention but not entered into fully, that there was an enormous pool of blood under Channy's bed, so seems that she may have survived initial attack and tried to hide, he murdered parent's then went back to then rape and murder her. He then changed her clothes and left her damaged clothing on her bed. There was even evidence he had stabbed them after death.
He has lied to all and sundry right from the off, changing his story many times and inventing stuff. Nothing from here is in the exact order but is an outline of some of his bull****. He has never been to their house, he visited a couple times, visited many times. He injured his hand and arms from a bicycle accident, he hurt himself through a motorbike accident. He did not have much contact with Channy yet records show she contacted her many times through facebook. He wrote to his mother that he was a suspicious man in town the night of the murders, he told his brother that he knew the person who committed the crime. He even wrote to his mother that he did visit the house the night of the murders and that he saw front door open, went in, saw Channy injured and that she pleaded for help and that he held her in his arms and she died (that lie I find the most revolting) and that he didn't call 000 because he was scared but that he was sorry he didn't. (what utter filth). Channy had always maintained, and evidence clearly shows she had not encouraged nor wanted his attention. However, she did make it clear she wanted to remain friendly with him as he was her current boyfriend's friend. She had raised concerns with a couple of people about his constant, unwanted, attention.
His final story and the one defence seem to want to continue with is that he wanted to confront Channy's boyfriend as he was jealous of their relationship. But this is where, again, his story does not make sense. Downie had visited the boyfriend's (also Downie's friend at that time) home that Sunday afternoon, after Channy had visited but gone home with her mum because she felt unwell. Her boyfriend said directly to Downie that he would not visit Channy that evening as she was so unwell. So, why 'confront' him at the Rowe's home after he was told the bf was not even visiting? If he really wanted to 'confront' the lad why go to Rowe's and not straight to his house? Why enter the Rowe's home via a window? Why park car around the corner?
He showed no remorse whatever. He even scowled and narrowed his eyes and sneered at some and shook head incredulously at other comments. Defence tried to say that he is coming to terms with his actions and that perhaps immaturity lead to such behaviour and that maturity might see him rehabilitated........WTF......sorry.... My opinion is that if someone who seemed so quiet, shy, no fuss and pleasant can blindside everyone he knows with such monsterous behaviour and then blunder his way through lies until caught, one can only imagine how deceitful and vicious he could become with a bit more experience and maturity.....such a monster is too horrible to imagine. It lied to his mother, brother, family, police, friends, co-wokers and medical staff.......yeah, he can really become a changed man.
Sorry, this is only an outline, but is what can be offered just now. The impact statements were harrowing and touching all at the same time. My heart goes out to all involved in this horror story.