Madeleine McCann: Suspects Kate And Gerry And The Flight Of Fancy
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
THE SUN front page: “EXCLUSIVE – ‘We’re being set up. I’ve had enough. Let’s go home.’” This is the “ANGER OF MADDIE DAD.”
Gerry and Kate McCann, “the doctors”, are back in their home town of Rothley, Leicestershire.
Pages 4, 5, 6 & 7: A statement from Gerry McCann in which he thanks one and all for the support and adds: “But we would like to ask for our privacy to be respected now that we have returned home.”
But their private grief is public spectacle. Can they be left alone with their daughter still missing and their campaign to find her in progress?
“YOU’LL LOSE THE TWINS.” Portuguese police are said to have told Kate McCann she should confess or face losing her two children.
“FACT OR FIT-UP?” The Sun considers the claims and gives each an “EXPLANATION.”
THE SUN SAYS: “McCanns’ hell”. The McCann’s “torment gets more horrendous by the day.” Where is the “kidnapper who might still have the four-year-old child in his clutches?”
THE TIMES front page: “McCanns fly home to fights their case.”
Mr McCann says the police’s focus on them is “deeply disturbing”.
Portuguese newspapers claim the McCanns failed to answer 40 questions put to them during interviews last week. “They apparently feared that they could wrongly implicate themselves if he [sic] did so.”
Pages 6 & 7: “Puzzles and mysteries at the very heart of the investigation.”
The paper tries to answer some of these questions. It tells us: “Although a small child could be killed quickly it would take time to hide the body so that it was not discovered in the biggest search in Portuguese history.”
The paper’s David Brown does not reveal how he researched this. He just knows.
The window to the McCanns apartment might have been opened from the inside. Brown of the Wapping Yard concludes: “Or was the window opened to make it appear as if an intruder had used it to enter the bedroom?”
Hmmm. What say you Mr Brown?
DAILY MAIL front page: “Police are determined to charge McCanns with killing Madeleine. HOME…FOR HOW LONG?”
Mr McCann is said to have told a friends: “We are being completely stitched up by the Portuguese police. We are completely f*****. We should have seen this coming weeks ago and gone back to Britain.”
Pages 2 and 3: “Madeleine’s parents consult Pinochet’s lawyer.” The McCanns have consulted with Michael Caplan QC, the British lawyer who represented Chilean dictator General Pinochet, who stood accused to torture and human rights abuses. Interesting?
Pages 4 & 5: “Questions the police must answer.”
The paper wonders if Robert Murat was named as a suspect in the hope his presence might “lead the couple into committing an incriminating indiscretion?” Or not.
In attempting to answer the key questions, the Mail produces more questions.
And the evidence..? The paper’s Michael Hanson wonders just how “foolproof” forensic tests are. You can’t argue with the science. Or can you?
DAILY MIRROR front page: “Kate weeps in Maddy’s room.”
The paper’s “EXCLUSIVE” is that Kate McCann sat alone in Madeleine’s “pink-painted room” and “sobbed in despair”.
How does it know this?
A friend says: “They are not running and will clear their names.”
Pages 4 & 5: Four pictures of the McCanns: arriving at Faro airport; boarding a flight,;on the plane getting ready for take off; and walking to their family home in Rothley.
Pages 6 & 7: “40 questions they both ‘refused’ to answer’.” And: “Officers say her replies left a lot to be desired, ‘it was claimed.’”
“McCANNS FACE KILLING CHARGE.”
“WHY COPS THINK SHE WAS NOT ABDUCTED.”
Page 9: Brian Reade has a daughter the same age as Madeleine McCann. Brian, who writes for the Mirror, has found it “impossible to imagine the depth of pain and guilt”. Without a body, says Brian, “They may never be able to prove their total and complete innocence.”
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “MADELEINE ‘WE CAN PROVE PARENTS DID IT.’ Portuguese police make dramatic new claim over evidence.”
Pages 2, 3 4, 5: The paper’s Martin Evans is on flight EZY 6552. He sees the McCanns travel home. He experiences “first hand…Kate’s pain and anguish on that most difficult of journeys”.
The seatbelts sign goes off. A note is passed to Kate. It is from another passenger. Kate reads the “simple message” of support. “A female passenger kneels by Kate and gives her a “tight hug.”
Kate sobs, “tears dripping slowly down her cheeks”.
Page 6: “Questions for the McCanns.” The Express has a go at solving the mystery. It says “Case could hang over us for ever say parents”.
DAILY STAR front page: “Maddie’s parents surprise flight.” Flight?
Pages 6 & 7: “We’re not running away.”
Page 7: More from Martin Evans, who sees the McCanns’ “pained expressions”.
Pages 8 & 9: “Furious donors want cash back as pressure mounts on friends to reveal all. DAD: I’LL USE £1M MADDIE FUND TO CLEAR OUR NAMES.”
DAILY TELEGRAPH front page: “Year-long wait for McCanns to clear name.”
Says Kate McCann: “Portuguese law prohibits us from commenting on the police investigation. Despite their being so much we wish to say we are unable to do so except to say this: we have played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter Madeleine.”
Page 4: “Couple facing a ‘life sentence of grief’.”
THE GUARDIAN front page: “Exhausted and under suspicion, Madeleine’s family come home.”
Pages 2, 4 & 5: “Rothley villagers relieved to see family return.”
“Thank goodness. They’re back where they belong and it’s the best place they could possibly be,” says one young mother.
The Rev Mark Chandler adds: “My every sense tells me that Rothley is just pleased and relieved to have them back.”
THE INDEPENDENT front page: “130 days since they left for a family holiday, the McCanns return to Britain without Madeleine. This is “THE HOMECOMING”.
Pages 2 & 3: “A shattered family returns to Britain without Madeleine”. “Portugal’s media clamour for conviction”.
Says one mother holidaying in Praia da Luz: “You don’t want to believe the worst but when you read headlines like these [in Portuguese media], obviously one conclusion seems more likely than another.”
Says the Diario de Noticia: “PJ wait for final examinations to arrest Madeleine’s parents.”
Madeleine McCann: private grief as public spectacle
Posted: 10th, September 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,280) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
September 10th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I think the current best suggestion is that after the death the body was hidden beneath frozen food in a freezer in the apartment of one of the Tapas9 who had co-operated in the unfortunate sedation.
It could stay there for 25 days untill all fell quiet (during the visit to the pope ?). Then it was transferred to the hire car, where it defrosted and leaked a little before disposal, by burial or into the sea. Done by a third party whilst the McC’s were absent.
On the new rumour, perhaps even done by Kate’s father. When was he there ? But most likely done by another frightened doctor.
Did any of them stay long enough ?
It’s hard to believe, but can anyone point out where it fails to fit the rumour-facts we have to date ?
September 10th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I agree with you, Angry 915. It was a serious crime and deserves to be prosecuted.
But I can live with them going up for manslaughter.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Christoph 912
You have no heart and you apparently have a unhealthy liking for anything edible
September 10th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Fighting any form of extradition to Portugual would be like signing your own death warrant - you would have to fear for their physical safety.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
m.e negligence is a criminal offence irrespective of what else the McCanns did. Why should they not be charged with it?
September 10th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Frikkin heck, if they decide to fight an extradition order, I’ll volunteer to beg, borrow & steal the money to go over there and HELP them onto the plane to Portugal!
September 10th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Yeah, but I’m an a-hold, Moderation assures me. I’d charge ‘em for both.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I seriously think they will find the poor mite in that place the psychic pointed to all those months ago.
It struck me as strange at the time that the mum and dad were protesting at the digging, insisting that she were alive.
All i know is that had it been my child I would have insisted every digger available, be digging every inch of ground up to look for my missing child!
September 10th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
From the Times:
Officers were furious when a plan for Mrs McCann to be charged on Thursday last week was halted after her lawyer met with the Portugal’s Attorney General, it was claimed today…..
…If charged, the couple could be remanded in “preventative custody” by a judge while they await trial.
The McCann’s had previously insisted they would return to Portugal if requested by police but their decision to consult a British expert in extradition law has led to speculation that they may fight an extradition order.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
F****** hell everyone.
Negligence is only relevant if they’re innocent of the crime.
You could argue that deliberately leaving the twins to allow for the ‘abduction’ is relevant but I think the prosecutors have bigger fish to fry, dont you???
September 10th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Undoubtedly, Angry 907.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
From the Fox News link (900):
I think this is an example of the police doing a great job and politicians, as usual, screwing up.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
I know mate we were typing at the same time, I just took longer, (age you know)
September 10th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Note to Leicestershire Police:
SUICIDE WATCH HIGHLY ADVISABLE TONIGHT!
September 10th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
That’s what I said, Angry.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
893 - sorry mate wrong this time. Ever heard the phrase ‘throw the book at them’. Means to charge them with every conceivable offence possible.
The act of negligence wasn’t just committed on the night Madeline disappeared. Even if they killed Madeline, so they can’t be charged with being negligent in respect of madeline, they were still negligent in respect of the twins. In fact on previous noghts they were guilty of 3 counts of negligence, and on the night Madeline disappeared at least 2 and maybe 3.
Each individual act carries a 2 year sentence.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Yup (899) and then the McCann lawyers got heavy with the Attorney General to back off….but the truth will out……
September 10th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Yes, des, and their lawyer talked them out of it somehow.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
You’re right, Angry, but not for Madeleine.
If they say Madeleine was dead, they can’t charge the McCann’s for being negligent in leaving her alone. It makes no sense and would be highly unethical.
Yes, they could (and still should) charge them for leaving the twins alone.
Imagine — if true. Leaving two twins alone to cover up a murder/manslaughter of your other child.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296186,00.html
this one says the police wanted KM charged on Thursday
September 10th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
sorry,dont know was the father there at the time? or within a few days? genuine question i dont know???
September 10th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Being negligent when leaving the children alone is a different crime to being involved in her death. They can be charged with both as each has its own ‘actus reas’ and ‘modes operendi’.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Someone mentioned that the Ice Maiden called Sky before the police.
Is this confirmed anywhere or just rumour?
September 10th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
They can’t charge for negligence if they believe the facts are she was dead by manslaughter when supposedly left alone.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
If the police really were clutching at straws and desparate to cover their own incompetence then surely RM would be a far easier scapegoat-they could have planted their evidence in his house, car or garden and everyone would have accepted he must be guilty. They must have been aware that a worldwide furore would ensue the moment the Mccanns were officially accused of anything whatsoever!
Has anyone any idea what further FSS results are expected?
The press are still holding back somewhat but I noticed a slight cooling and signs that the tide is turning.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
They can’t charge them with “negligence” if they believe they killed her ála manslaughter. It would be unethical.
My concern is if she was drugged, that’s worse than an accident, and more likely… hopefully they don’t convict for something less than what happened.
I also feel the father and the “friends” were involved.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
surely then with the latest developments,if it wasnt the mccanns it was definatly one of the people who hired the car between may 3rd and the maccanns date 25 days later,ask the hire company for a list,should be relitively easy to solve who the culprite could be???
September 10th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Angry (889) how could this be? (I’m asking this genuinly as I’m no law boff).
If they charge the McCann’s with negligence pertaining to the disappearance of Madeleine and sentence them to a jail term, is it not then technically CASE CLOSED? Is it possible to keep a case open for further charges later if necessary?
September 10th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
LOL
September 10th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
They could quite easily charge the Mccanns with negligence then add a more serious crime later.