Madeleine McCann: Four, Three Men, DNAboost And Risk
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
DAILY STAR: “Cops slam pics of Maddie suspects – Innocent people are put at ‘risk’”
“Four” people who look like the drawings inspired by holidaymaker Gail Cooper have now been questioned by police
So says the Star. Although on closer inspection Jose Marques plus Joaquim Agostinho plus a Portuguese builder in Gibraltar makes three, not four
Celebrity criminologist Francisco Moita Flores says: “It is manipulation and propaganda.” No, not the Star’s reporting, rather the sketches
DAILY MAIL: “Fourth man questioned in Maddie e-fit probe”
When is an e-fit a drawing? Compare and contrast
The Mail sees the Portuguese builder questioned and then freed. “At least” three other men have been questioned
THE SUN: “SUPER DNA ‘WILL CLEAR McCANNS – They welcome new-style forensic tests”
A tiny sample is, reportedly, found in the McCanns’ Renault Scenic hire car. How did it get there? From her clothes, say the McCanns. “Another theory was that Maddie’s younger brother and sister may have similar DNA,” says the Sun
And there’s a new test. It’s called DNAboost. DNAboost “can separate or ‘clarify’ profiles and unravel tiny samples”
With DNAboost what you thought had gone comes back with a bang!
DAILY MIRROR (online): “McCann pics fury”
Always the “fury”
Police in Portugal “claim Kate and Gerry McCann are hindering the probe into missing Madeleine by releasing sketches of the possible kidnapper.
One detective says the drawings were too vague and could “identify dozens or hundreds of people”
“But McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell hinted more sketches could be on the way ‘if we get any more information’”
THE INDEPENDENT: “Alastair Campbell: The Cudlipp Lecture”
“In an era of more pages, more space, more access, more talk, there is less said and done that is truly memorable. Even in Dacre’s apologia he could only draw on Stephen Lawrence – again - as the story where he felt the Mail made an impact and did some good. Similarly, in his Mactaggart Lecture Jeremy Paxman said the BBC constantly pointed to Planet Earth as evidence of good TV combining with good ratings, but did so precisely because it is a rarity. And with every front page screaming headline that doesn’t quite deliver the big story, every exclusive that isn’t, every whooshing breaking news that isn’t really breaking news at all, every new twist in the McCann case that isn’t a new twist at all, the public gets a little wiser every time”
We recognise the spin, says Mr Campbell – “Media spin to fill media space.” And we might even recognise the irony…
Madeleine McCann: A media feeding frenzy
Posted: 29th, January 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (930) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
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January 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I don’t think they can refuse being interviewed in the UK - and I really don’t think they would anyway (it’s really bad PR - one thing is to slag off the incompetent sardine eaters, quite another is doubting the integrity of HMs police force).
But I do foresee problems getting anyone other than the official suspects back to Portugal if ever charges are to be pursued.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
194 coolandcalm Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
In UK witnesses can refuse to be involved?
+++++++++++++++++
Thinking further about your statement, there are cases that are not brought to court because of witness provocation. It does not stop the Police interviewing them, but it may stop them from giving evidence in court because of provocation.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
… just an addition to my previous post.
Even if they are interviewed in Leicestershire and then refuse to come to Portugal, the PJ could always say that the interviews were the last step of the investigation and pass the investigation file to the prosecution magistrate. The magistrate would then decide if there’s enough evidence to formalise charges against anyone. That being the case (ie charges are pressed against 1 or more of the tapas), the portuguese judiciary would then require their presence in court). This then would become a relatively twisted and long legal debacle… and frankly it’s anyones guess how it would end… calls for extradition?
January 29th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Salomon ES, apparently the more bigoted posters here including the Portuguese ones, don’t believe that the prosecutor went against Amaral. Does not fit with their submission of absolute guilt.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Salomon, thanks. It’s interesting isn’t it?
January 29th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
dcb 198
I don’t know, thats why I was asking really. Not sure how it works…….. but I think witnesses can refuse to be questioned if they are not suspects themselves?
I can see that the McCanns probably can’t refuse but the others?
Don’t know! someone on here must know the answer!
January 29th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Cool and Calm 194
I think the situation is indeed very complex if the others (non-arguidos) don’t cooperate. Let’s take just the example of Tanner and O’Brien.
Even if they agree to sit interviews by Leicestershire police in the UK, IMO these interviews will not per se be sufficient to turn them into official suspects / arguidos.
I think (maybe wrong) that they would then have to be asked to come to Portugal by Portuguese police for a formal interview and would then be named “official suspects”.
Now, they could easily sit down with Leicestershire POlice (I don’t think they’ll refuse that because that’s bad PR). But then, if asked to go back to Portugal they can just refuse on the grounds that they are innocent but that the portuguese want to frame them.
Very difficult situation indeed. It’s not looking good for the PJ. And maybe they’ve realised that already…
January 29th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
194
coolandcalm Says:
Surely they can just say no?
———————————————————–
If the others of the Tapas group say ‘no’ to further interviews and / or if they or the parents continue to refuse to answer questions, this only
i) adds credence to the view that there is much to hide; and
ii) further obstructs the investigation into finding (out what happened to) the child.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
196
Aardvarko
No offence but that sounds like a load of bollocks to me
;)
January 29th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
194
coolandcalm Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
++++++++++++++++++
Surely if the interviews were to be carried out by UK police and the others in the group refused, then they would be obstructing the police. I am not sure that anyone in the UK can refuse to be questioned by the police in the course of police inquiries can they?
January 29th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
190
Salomon ES Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
*In retrospect I imagine that a much more productive strategy to follow would have been not to name the McCanns as official suspects, but instead to use the inconsistencies in the statements of other Tapas (Obrien and Tanner) and name them as official suspects for the disappearance of Madeleine. *
********
But this is what the PJ wants to do.It looks like the same strategy.
Do you think the PJ cares a lot about the DNA tests the mccanns were supposed to be making?
Ant news in that area?
January 29th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Salomon ES - you’re right - there are procedures which must be followed.
There does seem to be an undue delay at the UK end, and perhaps more public awareness of that delay may help to speed things up.
If not, the “sightings” will just become more and more bizarre, until they run out of “oddballs” in Portugal.
Then what?
A new witness has come forward to say she saw an elephant with four bollocks behaving in a suspicious manner at the door of the McCanns flat, fourteen times on the two days prior to Madeleine’s disappearance. The witness, from Rothley in Leicestershire, claims she only found out about the case recently, and feels that the elephant must be the missing link which could bring an end to the McCanns “anguish”.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Brandon
Thanks for advising about this new thread. Two in a day now!
January 29th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Salomon……….
I think Amaral jumped the gun ahead of the new legislation…..
On a legal note…. as the others in the group are only witnesses in the eyes of the law and as they are in the UK, surely the whole crux will be if they agree to be questioned? The alleged rogatory letters could be wherever in the world but if the non-arguidos don’t want to know then what?
In UK witnesses can refuse to be involved?
Surely they can just say no?
Anyone legal here to clarify?
January 29th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
“Gail saw the suspect she described three times wandering around the resort. He called at the villa where her grandchildren were playing in a pool, visible from the road, claiming he was collecting for an orphanage. ”
It’s really strange that Joaquim Nóia (the last sketch suspect) was able to speak to GC about the orphanage as it seems he does Not speak English. His interview in TV was being translated as he was talking in Portuguese.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
183
dcb Says:
+++++++++++++
This is the scary bit : “..But McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell hinted more sketches could be on the way “if we get any more information”…”
REPLY: Perhaps we should all send in a sketch of our own? The ‘creepier’ the better. Any artists out there?
January 29th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
190
Salomon ES Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
++++++++++++++++++++
I have wondered if the reason behind naming the Mccanns as suspects was to keep them in Portugal whilst investigations continued, but someone somewhere decided to let them return to the UK maybe taking into account GM statement that they would return to Portugal if required (now proven to be a lie).
January 29th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
187 Aardvarko
I think at this stage the case cannot proceed until the interviews are finally carried out. One could argue that these interviews will be instrumental for the MP decision on whether or not to press charges… and until then they’ll just have to wait in hope that the home office will authorise them. Until then the PJ is naturally required to take seriously and investigate all alleged sightings and new information (irrespective of possible family links or contacts between the mccanns and the witnesses).
What has become increasingly clear for me in recent weeks was also why Amaral was removed from the investigation. IMO (speculation) Amaral committed a very basic mistake. HE thought he had enough evidence against the McCanns that would allow the Prosecutor to press charges almost immediately. He therefore named them official suspects expecting that the prosecution would formalise charges against the McCanns and move the case to court swiftly. Unfortunately the prosecution magistrate (maybe he was overzealous maybe not - we’ll know in due time) took a different view. And until today he has not yet pressed charges against anyone.
In retrospect I imagine that a much more productive strategy to follow would have been not to name the McCanns as official suspects, but instead to use the inconsistencies in the statements of other Tapas (Obrien and Tanner) and name them as official suspects for the disappearance of Madeleine.
Any thoughts? Not that it will help resolving the case, but I wonder if trying this strategy now is just not going to be too late.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
187
Aardvarko Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
**********************
I totally agree.I doubt very much the PJ is going to blurt.They have been watching all the the time.
The PJ is waiting for a breeche in the mcFools group and they will act fast and precise.
I am sure the PJ wants to finish up that sordid story as soon as pos.They have,as you said, other issues concerning their own country….so,mccFools,watch out!
January 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
#
182
Bat E Bird Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
As soon as I get an answer from CdM I’ll post it!”
*************************
You are a gem! Thank you…………hope to see it later.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
If this case is to proceed to a resolution, I believe it is imperative that the PJ get the McCanns to “butt out”.
Their interference is using up valuable resources, is not taking the case any further forward, and is so obviously geared towards attempting to discredit the PJ, rather than helping to find Madeleine.
The introduction of Mrs Cooper has not advanced the case one little bit - it has resulted in the PJ repeating earlier work, and following up outrageously useless but time-consuming leads, possibly seriously affecting the lives of innocent people in the process.
This uses up valuable resources in Portugal - how many Portuguese citizens are suffering because crimes against them are not receiving sufficient attention because of these bloody McCanns?
Of course the PJ may be waiting for the McCanns to slip up, or for one of their ever-widening circle of “independent” witnesses to be thoroughly and definitively exposed as a fake, we can only hope…
January 29th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
See you all Later!
Be good?? and thanks for the tea Brandon
Hmmm! Junes Gorgeous………….thought so……. just had to be
January 29th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
for those that didn’t read the latest news from Portugal in Correio da Manhã:
http://joana-morais.blogspot.com/2008/01/controversy-impasse-in-investigation.html
Controversy: Impasse in the investigation for bad collaboration
English do not reply
It’s been more than 20 days since the Public prosecution service and the Judiciary received the notice of reception of the rogatory letters, but the CM knows that, since then, there was no answer from the British authorities regarding the interrogations to the four couples friends of the McCanns. There are still personal objects of Kate and Gerry to apprehend and the whole investigation is being delayed.
The dozens of questions to be done to these eight potential witnesses were thoroughly prepared by the persons in charge of the PJ at the head of the case – always in articulation and with the agreement of English investigators. The process was also stalled for months, so that all the legal roads were followed in the sending of the letters, through the General Prosecution Service of the Portuguese Republic.
The documents followed finally in the beginning of the year – and, at the middle of this month, the investigators of the PJ were already finding the silence of England odd, as the CM advanced at the time. Now, almost in February, we know that there is no green light to explore the different and obvious contradictions between the friends of Maddie’s parents, the first time in which they were heard, in what concerns the night of the crime.
The secret of justice is already secured by the judge up to September, but the whole eventual accusation of the Public prosecution service depends on the interrogations, which might be crucial. For the reason that, after the PJ hears the friends, only then they can prepare a series of questions to the couple – in function of what the other four couples will say. And as for the objects – between them is the diary where Kate describes Maddie’s behaviour and the relation at times difficult with her oldest daughter.
Meanwhile, the Spanish detectives employed by the McCanns continue their hunt of persons with similarities to the photo-fit spread more than a week ago. After the false suspect who received the journalists at his home of the Algarve with gun threats, in the last days it was time of the Spaniards of the enterprise Method 3 move the Altura, in Castro Marim, searching for Joaquim Gomes – another man who has resemblance with the portrait but long ago discarded by the PJ.
In Portugal the ’sightings’ of potential suspects did not take place, but this situation happens again in all Europe and in the North of Africa.
http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?idCanal=9&id=275613
January 29th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
183
dcb Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
***************
Seen it.
This cannot go on much longer,I dont think….
Something is bond to happen soon.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
180 Jo
+++++++++++++
This is the scary bit : “..But McCann spokesman Clarence Mitchell hinted more sketches could be on the way “if we get any more information”…”
January 29th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Grand Finale
Response to your comment from lou203 at 3A’s (with permission to post here)
“Hi Bat E Bird!
I’m in contact with one of the journalist of Correio da Manhã, and this afternoon I send him a copy of my e-mail that I send to Jaqui Schmith with the answer I got from the Home Office!
As soon as I get an answer from CdM I’ll post it!”
January 29th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Brandon
We’ve seen the Sexy Sisters picture.
We’ve seen Gorgeous Gail’s picture.
I wonder what Donegal Gal is going to look like?
January 29th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/01/29/mccann-pics-fury-89520-20301909/
If only true and the PJ would be sooooo fed up,blow up the whole thing…
January 29th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
147
coolandcalm Says:
Mode and admin (twice) ………………. I never made any comment on X appearance!!(far be it from me!! glasshouses etc) She is an ordinary working class woman who was on holiday with her family, So for Saturn to infer I called her being a ‘dog’… well, I’m not even going to bother! Twisting.. twisting……
****************
What nonsense are you spurting? I never even specifically referred to you in any of my posts. There were severeal posters referring to the looks of Gail Cooper, and I only referred to those posts as a group. The discussion was clearly whether or not someone of Gail Cooper’s appearance could be married to a high-calibre doctor.
So for you to say that I said you called her a “dog” is… well… Twisting.. twisting……
Frankly, I pay so little attention to your posts that I would never allege that you said one thing or another. Here’s hoping that one day you may eventually become cool and calm.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
something just blessed them lol