[2][5] In June 1925, Downs was the successful candidate in the newly formed 10th District, which at that time was bounded by Pico, Jefferson, Vermont and Alameda Boulevards.

The same day, Hodges said, he notified Council President Boyle Workman, and he then worked with District Attorney Asa Keyes and Chief Deputy D.A.

The appointment at Downs's City Hall office was with Hodges, who passed each of the councilmen $1,000 in marked bills, wrapped in torn magazine pages.

Milson confessed to Deputy District Attorney Fitts that he himself had "planted the bomb under his own bed in an effort to work up some much-needed sympathy for his brother."

After considerable discussion and some changing of votes, the jury unanimously found both Downs and Fitzpatrick guilty of bribery but asked the court to be lenient with them.

[13] A group of leading Southern Californians, including Los Angeles Daily News publisher Manchester Boddy, then joined Downs in petitioning Governor James Rolph for a pardon.

[18] He tried again in 1951, when he received 1,423 votes, in last place after 5,301 for State Assemblyman Vernon Kilpatrick, 5,077 for musician Charles Navarro, 3,835 for incumbent Bennett and 2,250 for cafe operator George R.