Madeleine McCann: Kate And Gerry’s Blood, Threat And Tears
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
THE SUN front page: “KATE’S AGONY – CONFESS & YOU’RE OUT IN A YEAR.”
“Deal of blood, threat and tears.” Kate McCann is being interviewed by police. This is a “highly-charged confrontation, Portuguese officers citing forensic evidence told the GP she would receive a jail sentence of between two and three years if she signed a confession.”
Kate McCann is “horrified”. Says she: “How dare you?”
A source tells the paper: “The police were trying to get Kate to say she had amnesia or was in shock or had a breakdown. They said if she signed the confession she’d serve a year and that her husband would not be charged and could go home. It was effectively emotional blackmail.”
“SHOCKED” Gerry McCann has been named as a formal suspect.
THE SUN SAYS: “But the allegations made yesterday against Madeleine’s distraught mother Kate are astonishing and, in places, farcical. A suspicious page of the Bible left open? A call to a priest on the day of Maddie’s disappearance? Not exactly a smoking gun.”
Do all crimes involve a smoking gun?
The Sun concludes: “The Sun desperately wants justice for Maddie. But the greatest pity is that she is the one person who seems to have been forgotten in this mess of incompetence.”
And the Press continue to watch the parents.
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “MADELEINE: DEATH ON MUM’S BIBLE.”
THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEWSPAPER writes of “THE DAY THE JEERING STARTED”.
“Just two days ago Kate McCann, 39, was regarded almost universally as a victim who had suffered unimaginable agony. Families everywhere shared her heartbreak at losing her beautiful daughter. But it was clear yesterday, as the GP arrived to be formally named as a suspect in her daughter’s disappearance, that much of that sympathy has now gone.”
The crowd outside the police station – 400-strong – goes into a “frenzy” when Kate McCann arrives. “There were whistles, then jeers and boos before some in the crowd began to shout insults. ‘Whore… daughter of a whore,’ some yelled in Portuguese.”
The Express translates.
A local man says: “They will find this more and more because in Portugal harming a child is the worst thing…The Portuguese people took them to their hearts and now we feel cheated. It will not be nice in Portugal for them now.”
Kate is “cool and collected”.
DAILY MAIL front page: “THE ACCUSED. Portuguese police’s staggering grilling of Madeleine mother.
• Why was her blood in your car?
• Did you drug her that night?
• Confess and get just two years.”
DAILY STAR front page: “YOU KILLED MADDIE.”
DAILY MIRROR front page: “MADELEINE SENSATION. We have found her blood in the boot of your hire car.. DID YOU KILL HER BY ACCIDENT?” This is “what police asked Kate McCann during 16-hour grilling”.
THE GUARDIAN front page: “Mother, victim…suspect: police target Kate McCann.”
THE TELEGRAPH: “Kate and Gerry McCann named as suspects,” says the headline.
“Mr McCann stared straight ahead as his suspect status was announced and refused to answer questions from awaiting journalists. A crowd which had been attending a concert in the town square earlier listened to the announcement and several people gasped audibly.”
In “Villagers back Madeleine McCann’s parents”, the paper journeys to Rothey, Leicestershire, the McCanns’ home town. Michelle Canilleri, who lives in Rothley, shares with the world: “I can’t believe it. This is such a shock. They have got the wrong people. No way in the world would either Kate or Gerry harm any of their children.”
THE INDEPENDENT front page: “FROM ANGUISHED PARENT, TO GRIEVING MOTHER, TO SUSPECT.”
“Shortly before 11am, Mrs McCann’s spokeswoman, Justine McGuinness, revealed that the 39-year-old GP was being made an arguida – official suspect – in the case. And then she uttered the six short words which will be inconceivable to some who have followed this case and a confirmation of long-held suspicions to others. ‘Kate fears she will be charged,’ Ms McGuinness said.”
THE TIMES front page: A picture of the McCanns meeting the Pope.
Madeleine McCann The Public Spectacle
Posted: 8th, September 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,454) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
- dairy on I’m A Celebrity: Quitter Katie Price Wanted To Die With Jedward
- dairy on I’m A Celebrity: Samantha Fox Is Shrinking As ‘Lesbian’ Lover Katie Price Quits
- dairy on Jeremy Kyle: Access All Areas: Kyle Meets The People Of Walmart
- Clive on The Parcel Delivery Service Scam, Coming Through A Letterbox Near You
- yampster on I’m A Celebrity: Quitter Katie Price Wanted To Die With Jedward
September 9th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Maybe the mccanns would want to come to Oz.
The beaumont children 3 kids who vanished in 1966 have never been found and neither has the perpetrator.
They consider Adelaide as it is somewhat like the Uk.
September 9th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
At the very least, as a result of this case, I think it should be made illegal everywhere to lesve children sleeping in hotel room unattended. At least Mark Warner offered a baby sitter. I would have taken turns with my husband to go and eat with my friends.
September 9th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Rosemary (929) well persoanally I wouldn’t choose to read the NoW (or any of the ‘red tops’ for that matter) but if I wanted to get my story out to the general public, the NoW is as good as any. Actually, better than the broadsheets as it has a wider circulation and because of the profile of its readership (to say any more could be insulting to some).
September 9th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Without proof of a violent crime in which there would be a large amount of blood, the only possible source has to be the graze from when Madeline fell on the plane steps. A minute fragment of a scab, or blood if she picked the scab could have been transferred in a variety of ways.
The trace found in the boot of the car cannot possibly have come from a body that had been decomposing for 25 days and more. If it had there would have been decomposed flesh and body liquids with the blood.
September 9th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I must say that I cannot generate any sympathy for the McCanns at the centre of this investigation because of their lack of care for their daughter.
I have not had children because I do not want the responsibility of caring for them 24/7.
It is obviously a responsibility which the McCanns did not want either - but they went ahead and had the kids anyway.
If someone genuinely has stolen their child, or if it is the other gruesome possibility of an overdose to get the child to sleep while the parents pursued a social life, what we can say is that it is only a matter of time before one of their three tiny vulnerable children succumbed to one of these possibilities in time anyway with prents offering this abscence of care.
September 9th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
929, Mark M, who would choose to give an interview to the News of the World? Odd
September 9th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Angry (924) I agree with your sentiment but I don’t think the theft act would be any help. The, for want of a better word, constitution of the company is so loose they can pretty well do whatever they want with the money as long as the directors agree. ‘Buyer beware’ or, as Rosemary said, read the small print!
I wouldn’t be surprised if, should the Mccanns want to start a new life in another country with a million pound mansion, the fund could be used for that.
I don’t think it’s right, I think people were foolish to donate in the first place and, if the McCanns are found to be responsible in some way, I think a lot of people will have been conned.
September 9th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
The Madeleine case reminds me of a recent case in Sweden/Greece.
A teenage boy goes abroad with his mates. Gets accused of knifing a Greek man. The Swedish press go “mad”, support the boy 100%, question the police in Greece and the entire legal system in that country is declared useless.
After a while however, it turns out there is forensic evidence against the boy. (Boys blood on victims clothes). The next move is that the boys parents employ a famous Swedish lawyer for the boys defense. The DNA gets questioned, of course. The lawyer claims that it is contaminated and that the boy is being framed. The Greeks “know” one of their own has done it, claims the lawyer, but they don’t want to admit it.
But slowly, ever so slowly, the Swedish media begin to grow unsure. They start to question the way in which they have reported on the case and it becomes obvious that they feel they have made a grave mistake in supporting the boy without question.
However, to my knowledge, the boy never returns to Greece for a trial.
September 9th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Teddy Boy (925):
Actually, they shot themselves in the foot. The family’s latest statements, especially Kate’s mother’s interview where she said that the police must have broken into the Villa and planted evidence (*), have not ingratiated them with anyone in Portugal.
After such comments, nobody in the police force feels sorry for them anymore - you can be sure that they will be charged aggravated negligence and successfully prosecuted.
The rest of the holiday group could also be charged with simple negligence (as they too left the children alone, but there were no consequences) - but it will probably be considered a waste of Portuguese tax-payers money and, as such, not pursued.
(*) I must ask: How could the police plant Madeleine’s blood if there had been no blood there initially? Do the police have Madeleine’s body? Have they found her blood somewhere else?
September 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
The Portguese must be sick to death of this creepy couple and probably need a break from all the hullabaloo! You would think they would be subdued, discreet even, and ask for some privacy but not a bit of it. No, they are as arrogant as ever and gave interviews to News of the World before even leaving Portugal. Madeleine remains as elusive as ever- dont know if they killed her but they have certailly killed off any sympathy I ever had for them. I wonder if they are accepting contributions to the fund in exchange for their stories?
Just want to comment on a couple of points raised earlier. The PJ would expect to find hair from M on items she had been in contact with-they must have found something incriminating that couldnt have been transferred innocently!
Also, it goes without saying that their precious cargo would have been pretty well wrapped up-a couple of bin liners at least-they wouldnt have wanted anyone getting a glimpse or a whiff. Does anybody believe that Kate carried out the official
duties of a GP dressed in jeans and a holiday T shirt and that is how she picked up the death scent?
September 9th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
925 Yes that is the slightly racist slant the McCann’s and their supporters have taken.
Their behaviour is now quite sickening - if they BELIEVED Maddy was still alive then like any innocent parent acting SELFLESSLY they would stay at the focal point of the disappearance in PJ, ensuring maximum publicity for their case.
I also worry that their abhorrent behaviour may well cast a shadow over Britain as a whole together with our gutter press.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I’m going out on a limb here (and expect some flak for it) but I see the Mccann’s have given interviews to a couple of sunday papers (I wonder if they sold the story?) and have made comments about their police interview (although I think from when they were interviewed witnesses). It seems pretty clear one motivation for coming back to the UK is to have a bit more freedom to protest their innocence.
I also see the media were camped outside the Mccann’s rather pleasant detatched house this morning. I don’t begrudge them their house, as doctors they will have worked hard to earn it, but I wonder what effect this will have on public sympathy. I can’t help feeling some people, who perhaps have a lot less than the McCanns, may be wondering why they gave to the fund.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
There’s a point , Portugal and Brazil have very strong links, do they not, same language, extradition? some heritage in common?
September 9th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Hi Teddy Boy had a rough night.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
To follow up on Mark M (923):
One must also understand pharmacokinetics, compartments and distribution - not all toxics and drugs end up in the same place.
Some end up in urine, some end up in bile, some show up in stool samples, some reach the brain, some don’t, some are in hair and nails, some aren’t.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
So they are cutting and running - Brazil here they come. What a fucking travesty.
Still it’s all Johnny Foreigners fault isn’t it?
May God judge them because a Portuguese court won’t get the chance.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
919 It makes no difference what the website says, donations were made for the specific reason of finding Madeline and nothing more. As I have said in the past, the setting up of a company rather than expanding the remit of the initial charity status application for the fund meant that they can use the donations in any way they want.
If any funds are used for anything than the pursuit of finding Madeline, those funds have been misappropriated and the donators misled. That constitutes disception which is a criminal act under the Theft Act.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Obergoober (917), The Litvinenko case was a different kettle of fish. The police had a whole body to test and, I believe, it’s suspected he was exposed to the poison some time before being taken ill. That’s why they found traces of it ove large areas of London and were able to follow the trail abroad.
My point is that we shouldn’t say “because no trace of sedative was found in the hair on her brush, it follows that she wasn’t sedated”. A lot of the hair in her brush could have fallen from her head before she was sedated.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I have just been listening to a forensics expert on BBC, and he said that the speculation in respect of any dogs used should be discounted.
Dogs are a tool that give nothing more than an indication of something. They are not always correct, and it is up to the forensic experts to determine if the dogs have actually found anything. As for the dogs getting excited with Kate McCanns clothing, the dogs could have smelt scent passed from cuddlecat to Kates clothing and nothing more.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Regarding Joana (the other girl):
1. No, the the family made no waves. They were completely nonchalant. “Oh, yeah, right, she’s missing.” Her mother’s first tv interview (when the child was reported missing) was chilling due to its indifference.
2. The walls were literally covered with Joana’s blood.
3. The mother never protested innocence - instead, she tried to get a lesser sentence by claiming she had sold the girl. However, she could never provide any evidence to support this claim, nor could she explain whom she had sold her to.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
919, Mark M, Yes, always read the small print!
September 9th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
A few people have commented on the ‘fund’ and legal fees. One object of the fund is:
“To provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine’s family.”
In the FAQs it says this includes professional fees, including legal advice.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
914, pete, I’ve never seen anything other than rumour on blogs of a nanny.
Canadian media are following this case as well.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
912 Yes but laboratory techniques now are very sophisticated and can detect micro-gram (10-6) or nano-gram (10-9) and less traces of the drug itself or its breakdown products. The human body can secrete chemicals onto tooth enamel, hair & skin.
Poisoners in today’s age will find it difficult to ‘get away with it’ - a good recent example was the Litvinenko case.
It will be very interesting to see the ‘evidence’ in this case when and if it actually appears !
September 9th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Mark M, it’s okay to pick!!
I really don’t know, I’m just relating and I know there is a huge amount of rubbish out there.
I relate what I read across the news and really have no idea what is and what isn’t.
I did understand (from SKYnews this morning) that the PJ had given a statement that said the McCanns were leaving with agreement but may be called back at any time (and they have formally agreed to that) and the investigation could take up to a year
Allegedly they found blood stains on the outside wall of the apartment which made them consider accident… falling down the stairs or somesuch.
I meanwhile STILL lean towards abduction but I know I’m in the minority! Maybe I’m world weary and just know too much about internet paedophilia because of my previous job.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
912, Mark M, The parents I’ve known, take Phenergan on holiday, to use on long flights. etc. Terrible practice, and I never did this, but my child was always up till midnight, slept very little and lightly and went everywhere with us, restaurants, films, theatre, from infancy. Three like that would have been difficult, but I would have got a take-away and invited friends for a drink on the terrace, rather than ever resort to drugging.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Rosemary
I read the nanny was supposed to go with them, but they had a row and she went home (Canada???) before the holiday started.
Can’t remember the details and I may be wrong.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
907, billy, I’ve never seen or heard anything of a nanny. Did she ever exist?
September 9th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
ObberGoober (805) I don’t know how quickly your hair grows but, although mine grows pretty fast, we’re talking about fractions of mm over a couple of days. I believe poisons do show up in the hair when people are exposed to them over a long time (like Napoleon on Elba). Unless she was routinely sedated night after night in the UK and Portugal I’d be surprised if they found anything in her hair.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
909, JuneJohnson, I tend to jump over all that stuff and read only the interesting bits
———————————-
Mods and Admin
jammy! I know, there are several people who do.
Sadly its the ones that have nothing to say but insults who are my reason to be here