Madeleine McCann: 20 Years Of Fury, Kate And Gerry McCann Prime Suspects, Robert Murat Says Nothing
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
DAILY MIRROR front page: “YOU’RE STILL PRIME SUSPECTS – McCanns’ fury at police chief warning”
“Kate and Gerry McCann were furious last night after learning they are still prime suspects in daughter Madeleine’s disappearance”
It is now the 105th time Kate and Gerry have reacted with fury of been furious in a tabloid setting
“The couple’s hopes of being cleared today were crushed when police chief Paulo Rebelo asked a judge to extend their arguido status because detectives are sticking to their belief that they accidentally killed the four-year-old”
This was predictable. Robert Murat also remains a suspect
Says McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell: “They are frustrated and angry. Frustrated because, yet again, there appears to be no movement in the case when they know they are innocent. They will continue to push for their arguido status to be lifted”
The Correio da Manha newspaper “claimed Kate and Gerry, of Rothley, Leics, could be charged with perjury and wasting police time”
But don’t the police waste enough of that themselves?
“They have been warned by their legal team they may have to go to the European Court of Human Rights to get their arguido status lifted”
Human rights? What of Madeleine’s rights?
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “MADELEINE - McCANNS ARE MAIN SUSPECTS SAY POLICE”
“Kate and Gerry McCann were dealt a crushing blow last night when a police report accused them of killing their daughter Madeleine”
Says a friend: “They are not the prime suspects. As we understand it, the report talks about the police’s continued belief that Madeleine died accidentally in the apartment and that is why Kate and Gerry remain arguidos. It also talks about Robert Murat remaining an arguido and it discusses the possibility of her being abducted. Well, they can’t have it both ways”
No..?
Says Clarence Mitchell: “Throughout 2007 we have declined to comment on speculation in the Portuguese press. We will follow the same policy in 2008. If this report is true, however, and this interim police report exists, then we believe it contains nothing new. It is simply a restatement of the current position of the police. And we note that it not only discusses Kate and Gerry as arguidos, but also continues to name Mr Murat as an arguido. Crucially it also accepts the possibility that abduction took place”
The green shoots of hope…
THE SUN front page: “McCANN AGONY GOES ON – 246 after Maddie vanished, cops name Kate and Gerry as…PRIME SUSPECTS”
“ANGUISHED Kate and Gerry McCann are facing up to living as suspects over their daughter’s disappearance for another TWENTY years, it emerged yesterday”
Maybe…
Kate and Gerry are “both 39-year-old doctors”
Fact!
DAILY MAIL: “Police ’still think McCanns killed Madeleine by accident’ - and they will be suspects for 20 years”
“A secret police dossier has accused Kate and Gerry McCann of accidentally killing their daughter and hiding her body, it was claimed yesterday. The couple faked four-year-old Madeleine’s abduction, according to a leaked report on the eight-month police investigation”
Lawyer Edward Smethurst, who is co-ordinating the McCanns’ defence, says: “Any report about the leaked document we believe is completely without substance. We think it arises out of pure speculation on the part of the Portuguese papers”
Kate and Gerry McCann are “doctors”
THE SCOTSMAN: “Madeleine’s parents could be under suspicion for 20 years, says judge”
“The prospect of the case dragging on for years was reinforced yesterday by the president of the National Union of Portuguese Judges, Antonio Martins, who said: ‘No-one knows what type of crime was committed. If it was homicide, the investigation can only be shelved after 20 years; if it was kidnap, 15 years’”
On we go…
THE OBSERVER: “After a year in which the torment of Madeleine McCann’s family has dominated the British media, the trials of the Lees - and the hope the new image has given them - seem particularly acute”
The story: “Katrice disappeared on her second birthday from a supermarket in Germany, where her father was serving as a soldier. Her mother turned away for a few moments to fetch a pack of crisps for the girl’s party and when she looked back Katrice was gone”
Twenty six years ago…
FOX NEWS: “Missing Madeleine McCann: Irish Witness ‘Clears’ Murat”
Says Martin Smith, who was on holiday in Praia da Luz: “I told police it was definitely not him because the man wasn’t as big as Murat - I think I would have recognised him because I’d met him several times previously. He was wearing beige trousers and a darker top. We all put him in his early 40s and I didn’t think he was Portuguese”
The Speculation Commented Upon
Posted: 4th, January 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,150) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
January 4th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
596…Batman
Yes, Batman…..for note and file only, I think.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
602 Stevo
when you get ahold of them, do ask about Comical Clarence’s remark the other day, something to the effect that the fund is being used to pay thing appropriately….
Like what? Can he give us some facts?
January 4th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Distance from Tapas bar was measured out by Martin Blunt recently. He must have TINY feet and legs. It took him about 150 paces to cover Gerry’s 40 yards.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
588 Tinsel
Good post! Would be great, it it’s true.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
588…Tinsel
One called Vision also….on Mirror Forum….1st day member.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
592
RedRooster Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
582
Garth Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
==========
does that mean it never happened garthy love???
weren’t the mc’s at chaplins the night maddie was heard screaming for her daddy??
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Well I dont bleeding know do it Daffy? Thats what I’m trying to get out of young Ian! He must know somefing we dont?
January 4th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
600
Batman
Be fair….you mean there’s ——> .
January 4th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I’m off to try calling Madeleine’s Fund again…I’ll try one of the directors this time…
January 4th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
589 Annie_m
Well, to be completely fair, that ARE MANY McCanns and several “spokespersons.” But after Gerry went on about it being like their back garden, and I think initially the reports said the Tapas bar was 40 feet away from the apartment, and then some reporters actually went in and MEASURED….and then there was some backtracking. And eventually, Kate said something about how in hindsight, she wouldn’t have done left her kids alone….
January 4th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
New Year Summary of evidence for abduction theory:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
589 Annie_m
They have never admitted making any mistake.
They have said they regret not being there when Madeleine was abducted but it would have happened even if they had been in the room next to it.
Anyone who says they have accepted responsibility for Maddie ‘being abducted’ or not being with them, is mistaken or deliberately misleading.
This is a vital clue - it exposes their knowledge of the UK Child Protection Act. However, there is a case where a judicial interpretation of the Act resulted in a jail sentence for parents who didnt realise risks, so ignorance is not a defence (sadly the UK magistrates told TB that they7 had no jurisdiction over this case, as it occurred in Portugal).
January 4th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
593 Remigius
It’s no urban myth. Sadly, it was part of the McRepostes made after they came back to the UK and the press were questioning paternity, sedation etc.
Oh…and thanks for the email and new year message
January 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Good evening all
January 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
570 Matt
Thanks for that re: Vision. Vision sounds a little like Soothsayer! However, I notice that Paulo Reis advises to disregard it. Think that is good advice.
But cages are definitely being rattled and a new team of ’supporters’ has been introduced to deflect attention from……
must be time for another sighting
January 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
545
Garth Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
537
Cheryl Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
“……Ian, none of us know what happened to her yet that plain and simple”
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Hang on a minute Cheryl…….its Ian you’re talking
_____________
REPLY: Hi Garth, Happy New Year! What a sad tragic case, Garth! People often hear about some tragedy or another and think it can’t happen to them.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
574 trainer
Interesting but I never heard that before. Hope it’s more evidence for the PJ’s pot.
563 Jez
http://prisonersvoice.blogspot.com/2007/09/gerry-mccann-quizzed-over-decision-to.html
“Gerry McCann was grilled by American TV networks about why he and his wife Kate did not hire a babysitter to watch their three children as they dined with friends”.
Gerry McCann stated: “We were dining 50 yards away and we could see the apartment from where we were. It’s like we were sat in our back garden, all be it at the end of our garden. The kids were sound asleep and they were being checked regularly. We didn’t think we needed a babysitter. We are good parents and what we did felt perfectly reasonable at the time”.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
571 Stevo
I agree. By the way, that “Show us the Body” remark, if it IS “urban legend,” then it’s a legend created by Team McCann. I recall it being in the news headlines, I think it was after Comical Clarence came on board.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
582
Garth Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
==========
does that mean it never happened garthy love???
weren’t the mc’s at chaplins the night maddie was heard screaming for her daddy??
January 4th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
590 Should have said ‘in support’ not ‘i support’
January 4th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
575 Sledgehammer
Again you ‘misquote’ my views.
I simply said that you dont know that - if we accept your argument of sourcing. I didnt say if I thought that was a mistake or not - actually I think if true then it is likely to be a mistake, yes.
However, by accepting that possibility, I’d ask you to do the same for other opinions and ideas based on similar unsubstantiated sources.
Let me put it this way, if I came up with an outrageous theory, I would prefer people to break it down through logical discussion and debate ultimately leading to the need to source for facts i support of their or my views.
Its a bit like going for a job, I’d not expect my references to be checked immediately - but I would expect them to be checked ultimately - sometimes after I had started in the job! An element of trust is required!
January 4th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
567
Remigius
Did I blink and miss something?
“It took a very, very long time for Kate and Gerry to even acknowledge they had made “some kind of mistake” in leaving their children unattended”
Huh? When?
January 4th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
549
Batman Says:
****
It was an update from a poster I’ve seen on 4 forums called Coldwater, or TheBrit, or Clouseau …
The basic gist of it is that Gerry McCann was missing for several hours on the 3rd, missed a tennis lesson and was checked on by Oldfield. A maid service was rejected on the 3rd as well.
The latest rumor, which is from someone named Miguel5 is that one of the Tapas is breaking rank in the new few days and the McCanns will be returning to Portugal (whether they want to or not).
Did I forget anything?
January 4th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
533 Mr B
Private Eye did have a small triangle on a front cover one issue, with the words
“Are the McCanns Guilty? We have no idea.”
And I remember they did run one small column, right hand page, but it was doing what this blog does, namely point out the inconsistencies in Tabloid reporting, rather than getting to the underlying issues.
(Actually ‘underlying’ is rather a good word for Tabloids, don’t you think. I have only just noticed it)
I’ll see if I can find the issue.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
580 Annie_M
No…it isn’t a myth. It was reported in several places:
“But, in a desperate bid to prove their innocence, reports in the Daily Mail indicate that the couple have challenged the police to produce their daughter’s body as proof they killed her.”
Here’s the Belfast Telegraph:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2962393.ece
January 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Isn’t it about time the police started digging in k and g garden just to make sure the “abductor” hasnt buried any “evidence” . Just a thought!!!….
January 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
thanks matt
January 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
576 Logic
What, did something get “banned?” Whatever could it be?
Excuse my ignorance, I was away last week.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
561
Ian Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
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Nice one. Welcome
Ian
Chaplins. Tell me more. Because, I dont recall any report stating the McCanns ever leaving their tots on their own whilst drinking outside of the MW complex. I mean, after all, and I must admit, GM did state that whilst drinking in the tapas bar and with the tots in the apartment, it felt like he was in his back garden. I just dont recall him saying that whilst drinking in Chaplins, it felt like he’d just nipped down to the local for a swift half?
January 4th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
563 Jez
Actually there are two backgarden interviews. I found this out the other day. There’s one where he went to the USA and said it was like being in the backgarden and there’s one on Sky where Gerry and Kate give an 11 minute interview and he mentions “garden” not “backgarden”.
It’s hard to keep track of them all because on Sky there’s over 200 videos if you type in the usual keywords in their search.
Personally I’ve always found the distance and whether you can see the apartment a complete misnomer. Seeing the apartment - even if it was 20 yards away is irrelevant. You “listen” for your kids when they are asleep and wake up crying. Parents will know this when they’ve heard a loud clunk upstairs when a child has fallen out of bed for instance. You don’t need to see anything. Furthermore, the distance was irrelevant to apartment 5A because the bedroom was on the back i.e. unseen side.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
571
Stevo
The McCanns saying “show us the body”
Wasn’t that a forum myth?