Madeleine McCann: Robert Murat Seen, The News As A Novel And Indecision
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.
DAILY MIRROR: “Sisters saw Murat at McCann flat”
“Sisters Jayne Jensen and Annie Wiltshire say they are 100 per cent sure they saw Robert Murat nearby minutes after Madeleine McCann vanished”
After… They were in Praia da Luz on holiday. Was Murat alone?
Says a source: “Jayne remembers seeing him outside the entrance, smoking cigarettes, between 10.30pm and 11pm. So every time they see him claiming he was not there on the night, they find it ridiculous”
And a first: “The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell also refused to comment”. Can a spokesman make no comment?
DAILY MAIL: “Madeleine: Now two British sisters question Robert Murat’s alibi for the night she disappeared”
“Annie Wiltshire and Jayne Jensen told police they saw Mr Murat near the Ocean Club apartment complex at about 10.30pm on May 3, about 30 minutes after Mrs McCann, 39, raised the alarm that her daughter was missing.
“Mrs Jensen, 54, recognised him when they saw him again the next day, when he was working as a translator for police investigating the disappearance. The sisters said his behaviour was ’strange’ and described how he changed his clothes at least once during the day of May 4, but then insisted to them that he had been wearing the same outfit all day”
Eight people claim to have seen Murat on the night Madeleine disappeared - “The two British sisters, Mark Warner nanny Charlotte Pennington, two tourists who contacted Metodo 3 independently and three of the McCanns’ friends, Fiona Payne, Rachael Oldfield and Russell O’Brien”
DAILY EXPRESS: “SISTERS TELL POLICE: WE SAW MURAT NEAR THE APARTMENT”
A source close to Metodo 3, the private detective firm hired by the McCanns and contacted by the sisters says: “On May 3 in the afternoon they saw two men on a ground floor balcony. It was the first time they had ever seen anyone there. They thought it was strange because they had always thought the apartment was empty
“The next day they went and told a policeman about these men they had seen. An officer walked back with them to the apartment to check it. As they did so, Murat appeared and acted as an interpreter for them. He was dressed in a navy blue T-shirt and jeans, he was very sweaty, and his comment was, ‘I must go and shower and change, I’ve been in these clothes all day.’
“They felt that was strange as he had been in a striped shirt and trousers earlier”
Sweaty. In Portugal. In the summer…
THE SUN: “MURAT’S MADDY ALIBI BLOWN”
“TWO British sisters have revealed they saw oddball Robert Murat lurking by the Portuguese holiday apartment from which Madeleine McCann vanished”
Oddball… Lurking…
Jayne Jensen’s son Joe says: “They feel their evidence is very circumstantial but realise it could be crucial when taken into the wider picture. They saw Robert Murat on the night Madeleine disappeared and they want to help. They decided to report what they saw. It’s not a question of having a go at Murat”
Circumstantial. Not to the Sun…
DAILY TELEGRPAH: “Robert Murat ’seen near Madeleine McCann’s flat’”
“They also claimed they saw two blond, tanned men acting suspiciously near the McCanns’ holiday home on the afternoon before Madeleine went missing”
Robert Murat has dark hair
“The women, both thought to be in their 40s from Aylesford in Kent, were on a two-week holiday in the Algarve at the same time as the McCanns and became friends through tennis”
The Express, Mirror and Mail report on “Annie Wiltshire, 58, and Jayne Jensen, 54”
Says Clarence Mitchell, now willing to talk: “These women have given a statement and we are very grateful to them for the information. We continue to appeal for any witnesses who have not yet come forward to do so”
THE GUARDIAN: “Bad Science”
“The papers went even wilder over the South African ex-cop with his magic quantum box: it could locate anyone - including Madeleine McCann - anywhere in the world using its secret “matter-orientation system”
“The year of indecision - It was a year dominated by a toddler. Opinions on her disappearance swung back and forth. And that was the theme of 2007, as politicians and military leaders, royals and voters - and lastly Canoe Man - all had a change of heart”
We cried for the McCanns. We booed the McCanns. “Outside the Portuguese police station, crowds booed and jeered as the McCanns emerged, their blank faces bleached with disbelief. And suddenly everything - even Maddy’s Cuddle Cat, bathetic emblem of their grief - was recast in suspicion.” We were unsure about the McCanns
“In this one respect, the story of the McCanns was perfectly emblematic of this year, so precisely did its narrative mirror the shape of the many other events it overshadowed. It was a story about people changing their minds. And in 2007, people changed their minds about an awful lot of things”
A NEW BOOK: “In what looks set to be one of spring’s most interesting novels, Gordon Burn is rushing the very recent past into print. From his award-winning debut novel Alma Cogan to his Fred West biography Happy Like Murderers, Burn has long blended fact and fiction, and in Born Yesterday: The News as a Novel (Faber, April) he finds his natural subject: the news as entertainment. Twenty-four-hour rolling news, the blogosphere and digital interactivity feed our culture of speculation and spin. Burn takes a few highly charged weeks in 2007 - the summer of floods, terror attacks, the Blair/Brown changeover and the disappearance of Madeleine McCann - to investigate media manipulation and the boundaries between fact and fiction”
Months Of Indecision - Madeleine McCann Day By Day
Posted: 29th, December 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (598) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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December 30th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Abraham Zapruder Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Grand Finale
You mean the killers might have a contact in the undertaking business? The October clues mentioned a “friend in church” but not a friend in undertaking.
**************
I have mentioned before seeing a photo posted by Stevor or Ian, I think, showing a crematorium under the auspices of McCann-Healey.
December 30th, 2007 at 10:33 am
153
Andy Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
123. i-dont-believe-them.
Great post and very true. Even Mr McCann backs up your points according to David James Smith.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3040094.ece
*************
I am catching up with back postings so sorry if the points raised in The Times article have been dealt with. I feel the author has systematically tried to eliminate the validity of so many points raised by bloggers, by putting a very innocent and pro-McC spin on every aspect.
1. G not playing tennis from 4.30 because of Achilles injury, so why did he need MOldfield to check on Kate and the children?
2. Emphasis on glass of water before a beer before wine in the Apt, before consumption of wine at dinner - the quantity of bottles previously stated now being reduced to 6 and only 4 opened.
3. Interesting that Cuddlecat was a gift from Jon Corner - it made such a memorable prop.
4. Statedd that at 9.30 O’B found is daughter sick so JT returned to deal with her and O’B went back to the table, having only been away for 10 mins. No mention of his supposedly requesting a change of sheets and it previously being stated he was away for 50 mins.
5. Police supposedly called at 10.15 and it now being asserted that Sky were not alerted to the disappearnace until 7.30 the next morning, hearing from GMTV.
6. “It has been suggested” that the HRD dog was treated differently in the McC Apt from other Apts,( but dog nevertheless “supposedly” identified blood behind the sofa and under the tile). Likewise it is implied the dog was almost enticed into finding bodily fluids in the McC’s hire car (even thogh they were there to be found).
The article goes on in this refuting of evidence vein and is about as impartial as we could expect. No doubt it is hoped that it will be give due credence by the many who have only a superficial interest in the case because it has been written as being ‘authorative’ and appears in The Times.
December 30th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Jane,
You ask for the difference between the quad bike father and the Mc’s.
Well simply put my darling, he was with them and they were having fun.
Madeleine was alone and was probably terrified.
Um now let us see what the difference could be - loved and cared for versus unloved and abandoned.
Oh Maria, Maria.
December 30th, 2007 at 6:46 am
454
Jane Says:
“With all due respect, Ciara-Louise, I have quoted serious scientific research findings …”
Jane, try reading the whole articles, instead of quoting a sentence that on its own seems to support your hopes and wishes that Kate has a cadaverous cavern.
Cadeaverine is only present in vaginal fluid that has been subjected to laboratory manipulation with various chemicals. After treatment by these chemicals, the fluid is then analyzed for the presence of amines. One article you cited was talking about using chromatography to do the analysis. They could use sniffer dogs, and modify the Whiff test into a Sniff test, I suppose, but they are analyzing and quantifying the presence of various amines, cadaverine being just one.
There just isn’t any relevance to Kate’s vagina, except as good fodder for a few jokes. The idea of cadaverine oozing out from there, and staining the spare tire well in the Renault, might be suggestive of some awfully imaginative sex play, I must admit. How many couples were going at it in the boot of the car, I wonder.
A number of readers have said they were about to eat, but after reading your report, they were so disgusted they decided to refrain from having any sex at all. Please be more considerate of others, Jane.
December 30th, 2007 at 6:33 am
610 Grande Finale
I found it worthwhile and reassuring to read the comments that follow that article. Thanks for taking the time to point them out and summarize their content.
December 30th, 2007 at 4:17 am
Tony Bennett:
I could suggest further revision to your “21 Reasons”, but only from the perspective of style, not that of content. With regard to content, an ever evolving thing, I leave that to you and the other experts - yes, experts - on this forum.
I did not feel it right to make substantive changes, without permission.
December 30th, 2007 at 2:55 am
523 Meejician
Re Sally Clark - I remember the day she was found guilty and the venom the Press spewed on her. She was pure evil as far as they were concerned. I remember feeling completely indignant because, reading through the case, there seemed to be no real evidence against her. And the only forensic evidence, that at least one of the children had a bacterial infection which could have caused his death, was not shown to the jury.
Meadows, in my opinion, should have been given a long prison sentence, as should David Southall. I have seen the way experts like this work - it all gets very personal to them and in the end they are operating a vendetta.
The one good thing that has come out of this tragic case is that at last doubt has been thrown on what some of these doctors say.
December 30th, 2007 at 2:37 am
Any more news about the Portuguese radio item about the discovery of a child? Does anybody know if it was for real or a hoax?
December 30th, 2007 at 2:27 am
I haven’t read The Herald for years - that was one shit article. But then the McCanns have a lot of hack friends, so I guess they’re sticking up for them.
See Jane, what are you worried about? Any suspicion about the McCanns is just a malevolent sick fantasy according to the British press. What can us freaks do up against that attitude?
December 30th, 2007 at 2:00 am
http://www.sundayherald.com/life/people/display.var.1932808.0.0.php
You should see the comments below this article.
42 anti and 6 pro (3 of the pros are from the same anne from the USA)
December 30th, 2007 at 1:51 am
608
Jane Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 1:44 am
Thanks for your affirmation, Maria.
***********
I love the word ‘affirmation’. It’s so kind of phallic, while at the same time suggesting cult.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:44 am
578
Maria Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Jane 565
I’ve just skimmed through today’s posts. Yours have been outstanding. You make some crucial points of principle which I can’t help wanting to affirm despite my decision not to discuss the case itself here any more!
……………………..
Thanks for your affirmation, Maria.
Happy New Year to you too!
December 30th, 2007 at 1:36 am
603
Maria Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 1:26 am
MEEJICIAN
Jane’s posts “irrational”??
************
I thought you’d decided to leave.
Is this just a protracted ‘hand on the door handle’ moment, as in B movies?
If so, can you let us know how long this take is, so that we can leave it on the cutting room floor when we do the final edit?
Meanwhile, those of you who support the irrational abduction theory had better start making sense, and should attempt to prove that your worrying confabulations have some grounding in reality. Otherwise I might have to prescribe a gentle anti-psychotic……..
December 30th, 2007 at 1:30 am
604
Meejician
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/25184/Maddie-s-parents-to-Return/
lol
December 30th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Chatelaine and Red Rooster have a champion to defend their honour, transgress at your peril Saracens
December 30th, 2007 at 1:28 am
601
Jane Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 1:20 am
‘So what was the point…’? In the absence of my brain, I’m exhausted and just off to bed, I would say: to show that there really is no rational explanation for many of these groundless allegations
***************
The groundless allegation, the conspiracy theory, is that Madeleine McCann was abducted.
There is no evidence whatsoever to point to this fantasy in the minds of these doctors (39), as being a verifiable fact.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:26 am
592 JOLIE
That’s OK! I can’t do those face thingies at all
Well….New Year is the time for resolutions…I WILL try….honest!
MEEJICIAN
Jane’s posts “irrational”??
Really have heard it all now!
Good night all.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Jane
We’re gossipping, get over it.
It wont effect Saints Kate and Gerry, unless they read it, and if they do they’re still not getting as much abuse as Tom Cruise gets on YouTube.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:20 am
<All good points, Garth. There really is no rational explanation for many of these groundless allegations, is there?
—————————-
Mods and Admin
So what was the point of the Panorama programme and of Bridget O’Driscolls statement? They were only ever raised in connection with the McCanns. Or are they not to be discussed by posters on here?
…………………………
Of course they should be discussed - in a reasonable manner - I’ve even tried calling obscene posters like Hideki ‘dear’ in the hope it might elicit a more reasonable response, but I still get a foul mouthful of abuse back.
‘So what was the point…’? In the absence of my brain, I’m exhausted and just off to bed, I would say: to show that there really is no rational explanation for many of these groundless allegations
December 30th, 2007 at 1:19 am
I was reading the Star article - the McCanns have an unbelievable faith in headlines. Why do they need to be in the press ever single day - other cases are solved without the parents turning into Heather Mills? And I’ve never forgotten Ben Needham’s name and picture but I still haven’t found him.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:18 am
598 saul
in that case i accept your appology gracefully….i bid you farewell for now brave knight
December 30th, 2007 at 1:17 am
Rooster, I was not attacking you, merely defending Milady’s honour, if it makes you feel any better I totally agree with you. The truth will out in the end. In the meantime feel free to attack Garth any time you want. My Lance is available to tilt at windmills of your choosing.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:12 am
589 saul
are you on your knees?
December 30th, 2007 at 1:12 am
588
RedRooster Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 1:06 am
” [...] and one more thing mate do your research b4 havin a go as you will find it was not me who started this. [...]”
—–
Hihi
Sorry, but this reminds me of last night again. Don’t want to rub it in [and really have been trying to avoid that], but Mods and Admin were “not happy” with you.
—
Saul,
Seems you’re gent. Mes compliments
December 30th, 2007 at 1:12 am
585 chat
well if you had not jumped in feet first and done a bit of reading yourself b4 attacking me you would have seen the question i was asking garth was about the unlocked door…and it was infact big man garth who refused to answer my question and then started playing silly games and as usuall did’nt answer….so next time lovvy please read before attacking…
but for now i will say nite nite…..
December 30th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Well, or they are blufing or they know that they really have toreturn, we will see
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/25184/Maddie-s-parents-to-Return/
December 30th, 2007 at 1:11 am
I suppose if we discuss Benazir Bhutto Jane will accuse us of risking civil war in Pakistan.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Sorry, Maria, I thought that would be more of a wink than it turns out.
How about this instead?
December 30th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Happy New Year, Maria.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:08 am
537
Jane Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 12:19 am
Look at the number of completely irrational postings here.
**************
I include your posts in that description, Jane.
December 30th, 2007 at 1:06 am
My apologies Madam Rooster