Madeleine McCann: Police Errors, Kate And Gerry McCann Speak, And Amaral’s Book
MADDIE WATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
Portuguese prosecutors have shelved the investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance. Kate McCann, Gerry McCann and Robert Murat are not longer official suspects.
Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, Portugal’s Attorney-General, told police to halt the investigation into of Madeleine’s disappearance.
A statement released by his office confirmed that it had decided to “close the file on the investigation concerning the disappearance of the minor Madeleine McCann due to lack of evidence that any crime was committed by the persons placed under formal investigation”.
But it’s not the end of the matter. And Madeleine McCann returns to the nations’ front pages:
DAILY MIRROR (front page): “OUR DESPAIR – OUR FURY – OUR FUTURE”
No not an editorial by the Mirror’s staff wodnering where this story will end, rather words ascribed to Kate and Gerry McCann.
Says “angry” Kate McCann: “It is hard to describe how despairing it was to be named as arguido. It has been devastating to witness the detrimental effect this has had on the search”
Pages 4 and 5: “McCanns vow to keep up search for Madeleine and leave…NO STONE UNTURNED.”
Under the table, out of sight of cameras, her hand trembled as she gripped her husband’s, fighting to keep her emotions in check.
What of Robert Murat, the one the Mirror’s Lori Campbell introduced to the police?
Mr Murat spoke of his joy at being cleared but said he too now wanted the focus to be on finding her. The dad of one, 34, said: “It’s a good feeling but doesn’t take away from the fact there is still a child missing, which is very sad. I was dragged into this because of Madeleine’s disappearance so I would like to know what happened.”
FIONA PHILLIPS: “Let’s hope that they find peace one day”
Any human being with a heart will have felt the same as me - that Kate and Gerry McCann should never have been suspects at all.
If you don’t agree with Phillips then you are heartless, something less than human. Hey, you might not even be a parent:
They are an ordinary family who have lost their daughter and, as a parent, my heart goes out to them…
But as a parent, I know exactly what it’s like to go on a family holiday and be lulled into a sense of security.
DAILY MAIL: “McCanns’ fury - and despair - at Portuguese police as they are finally cleared”
Glasgow-born Mr McCann and his wife, both 40, had not ruled taking legal action against the Portuguese authorities for the way they have been treated.
The dodgy DNA evidence that lead to the McCanns being made suspects
Detectives apparently believed that scientists found Madeleine’s DNA and blood in the apartment and in the McCanns’ hire car, which they did not rent until 25 days after her disappearance.
Armed with that ‘evidence’ and the knowledge that dogs supposedly found the ’scent of death’ on Mrs McCann’s clothes, they decided to name the couple as suspects.
But the final report from the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham several weeks later said that the DNA evidence in the case was inconclusive, and did not support the police’s theory.
The forensic evidence which led to Kate and Gerry McCann being named as suspects was misunderstood by Portuguese police, it was claimed yesterday.
Detectives wrongly believed the work of British experts supported their theory that Madeleine had died in her parents’ rented holiday apartment, when in fact the DNA analysis was inconclusive, it was suggested.
The claims come from leaks from inside the Portuguese investigation, based on an initial British forensic report into the case.
THE SUN (front page): “MADDIE”
Pages 6 and 7: “COPS CLEAR ‘ARGUIDO’ HELL PARENTS”
The couple have fought long and hard to gain access to the documents, which could be available as early as the end of this week for a period of 20 days only.
After the 20-day term, the world’s media will then have the right to apply to view them.
FERGUS SHANAHAN: “TIME TO GIVE KATE A BREAK”
“Having consistently spoken up for Kate and Gerry McCann, I can welcome the official clearing of their names over Maddie without being called a hypocrite”
That’s the important thing. What of Robert Murat, also cleared? Nothing. Not a word.
DAILY EXPRESS (front page): “MADELEINE – Now Kate will see police files at last”
Great news. Now the Express can start featuring our Maddy on its front page again.
THE TIMES: “Kate and Gerry McCann cleared over Madeleine disappearance”
Remember those bungling Portuguese cops?
According to reports yesterday, one key error that led to the McCanns being declared suspects was made by Britain’s own Forensic Science Service.
The report, apparently from the Portuguese authorities and which was leaked to the London Evening Standard newspaper, states that the Policia Judiciaria, Portugal’s criminal investigation department, was told that DNA evidence found in the couple’s hire car, on the window sill of their holiday apartment and in the car park of the apartment complex, belonged to Madeleine.
The document claims that it was given categorically as her DNA and as a result the McCanns were questioned and later made suspects. But, one month later, the forensic service wrote another report saying that it could not be sure that those findings were correct.
THE INDEPENDENT: “Pandora: ‘You can imagine how I felt’ - Max Clifford”
Henry Deedes reads the Anorak.
McCanns finally cleared of blame over daughter’s disappearance
Goncalo Amaral, the detective in charge of the initial inquiry who was removed from the case, will publish a book this week making clear his belief that Madeleine died in her parents’ apartment on the night of her disappearance.
THE GUARDIAN: “Case closed: no leads, no suspects but, say McCanns, the hunt for Madeleine goes on”
“We welcome the news today, although it’s no cause for celebration,” Kate McCann said at a press conference last night.
DAILY TELEGRAPH (front page): “Case closed, but parents’ hunt goes on”
THE HERALD: “McCanns’ anguish: police should be in the dock”
Shame on the Portuguese police force. It emerges from the investigation of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance with its credibility in tatters. Where to begin? It has failed to find Madeleine or even to establish whether she is alive or dead, yet it has shelved her case.
It’s “COLETTE DOUGLAS HOME”. Yeah, those bungling Portuguese plods need to be punished. They’re not like our British coppers. Not like the Forensic Science Service…
Madeleine McCann: The news goes on…
Posted: 22nd, July 2008 | In: Broadsheets, Madeleine McCann, Tabloids Comments (590) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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July 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 am
Im putting a set here together: the Police: they’ll be watching you:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WwqhhZnl8G4
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 am
Who knows….. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EdPB1Ymq_1Q
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 am
Maria:
Surprised but pleased that you finally accept that the McCanns’ story simply doesn’t add up!
Goodness - next thing will be Cheryl admitting that the Amber thing is a money-making politically-driven project which has BEWARE written all over it.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:18 am
Fine, I’ve got an update: Stevie Winwood : Keep on Running!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=H6LVI1gDswg
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 am
Chenny, the point of the report is that living human beings produce the same chemicals as dead humans, a point studiously avoided by many.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HVexacSIGYQ
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
Gandolf Says:
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 am
————————–
Gosh!
Brings back fond memories of the happy times we spent researching the decomposition of pigs in lime and not-lime; do you remember that one, Gandy?
I’need to find something decent to listen to before I slide off to bed! Stevie Nicks singing ‘I need to know’ needs an update…
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 am
WTF
“wtf
only today i was talking to a very intelligent lady, she has been a midwife for 30 years, and she said that she thinks they have harmed their daughter,”
So what? I know a person who has 3 degrees, including a Phd who did a further 4 years towards a degree in medicine and who thinks they are innocent”
My person with an opinion is clearly better qualified than your person with an opinion so that means I win right?
“How do you explain the dogs maria? they are incapable of lying”
Incapable of lying is not the same as infallible. Chimpanzees have been shown to lie. I am not aware of any scientific study that has ‘proven’ that dogs can’t lie.
Who says they are infallible?
“John Barrett, a former Scotland Yard dog handler, also indicated that the trained dogs used in an attempt to detect a “death smell” on Mrs McCann’s Bible and clothes were brought in too long after Madeleine vanished.
The crucial scent lasts for no longer than a month, he said.”
……….
” In fact, remarkably little is yet known about how the sense of smell works and there is a shocking shortage of reliable empirical research on the accuracy of detection dogs. The only substantial body of research was conducted in Australia. The Privacy Ombudsman of New South Wales reported its review on the use of drug-detection dogs to parliament in 2006. His research revealed that 74% of those searched following an indication by a dog were found not to be in possession of illegal drugs. This statistic adds weight to Justice Souter’s statement that the “infallible dog” is a “legal fiction”.”
………………….
“Eddie and Keela used to be South Yorkshire police dogs, but now they and their former policeman handler have gone freelance. It seems that there are no guidelines governing how such dogs are used and no test to see how reliable they are.”
http://tinyurl.com/6jp4jy
The substances these dogs supposedly found, when sent for further forensic testing, were not verified to be anything of significance.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:05 am
I think the fact that you recognised yourself as a windylicker, settles it, case closed.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:05 am
Well kido’s - seems like its all over bar the shouting!! I was very surprised that the “solution” was so low key and frankly bland in its content. In my opinion the world should now stand back - leave the Mcs to their own devises and not give them even a snowflake in hell’s chance to earn money from their sad little daughter. I think that all the film makers, chat shows, newpapers tv news should just completely back off and let them get on with what they say are going to do - search! They have done nothing but critisise the police, the media and everyone else - so my advice is right now McCanns - do your own thing, go it alone, you have had all the publicity you craved and it did not find your daughter, you have been supported financially by the well meaning public, and now the time has come to get off your backsides, with no restictions stopping you and LOOK!! even if it means doing what you insisted that you would do in the early stages - sell up, raise your own money and LOOK - but please have a little dignity and do not let this whole sorry saga develop into a commercial poppy show
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 am
The concentrations of putrescine, cadaverine, indole and skatole were determined in the saliva of healthy human volunteers upon waking and at time points during the day. Putrescine was found to be the most abundant of the amines studied, followed by cadaverine then indole. Skatole could not be detected in the saliva samples at any time point. The amines were found in the highest concentrations immediately upon waking (mean concentrations (μg/ml): putrescine 33.0±19.0, cadaverine 17.6±16.7 and indole 0.4±0.4) with a rapid decrease following consumption of breakfast and brushing their teeth (mean concentrations (μg/ml): putrescine 7.0±6.4, cadaverine 3.1±4.7 and indole 0.04±0.09). Putrescine and cadaverine then increased in concentration during the day apart from a decrease post-lunch caused by increased salivary flow and mechanical cleaning due to mastication. An analytical method based on high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection has been developed to quantify amines in human saliva. Sodium fluoride has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of amine formation in saliva at room temperature allowing samples to be collected and kept without requiring cold storage.
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003996903000153
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 am
Gandolf Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
‘Windylickers the same the world over, want everyone else to do their thinking for them, so nothing new.’
stuck for words again are you ?
nevermind, i’m off to bed, perhaps you might work out how to discuss something without personal attacks by tommorrow but i shan’t hold my breath.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:58 pm
The Real Stig
I can understand that - I would think that most people would take their lawyers advice.
What annoys me is how the press and their columnists interpret the arguidos status.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Windylickers the same the world over, want everyone else to do their thinking for them, so nothing new.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Gandolf Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 pm
‘As I said you have no knowledge of the matter, the points that you are unable to understand are common knowledge and freely available on Google, perhaps you should ask Anorak to supply you with a research assistant, as Google also appears to be beyond you. I wouldn’t waste my time attacking you, it would go right over your head.’
you’re right, i’ve no idea what you’re talking about now, changed the subject to me rather than answer what i write and then spend time telling me you wouldn’t bother attacking me, silly man
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
‘It may be questioned that KATE HEALY was not immediately made an arguida, but rather inquired, as a witness, and only afterwards, following said inquirition, did she assume that quality.’
You missed this bit Ferdinand
… do you read that different to me?
Maria
Whether it was a journalist or a man with a microphone in his hand and a camera stuck in her face, from what I understand, she’d had enough of the press and said what she did to get rid of them.
Remember, she was under strict secrecy laws, allegedly the press got wind of her original statement and wouldn’t leave her alone.
Imagine being confronted by Brunty and co day after day …..
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 pm
As I said you have no knowledge of the matter, the points that you are unable to understand are common knowledge and freely available on Google, perhaps you should ask Anorak to supply you with a research assistant, as Google also appears to be beyond you. I wouldn’t waste my time attacking you, it would go right over your head.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Gandolf Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Sam there is no argument, you do not have one iota of knowledge, about the subject at hand.
why don;t you just answer the points gandolf ? you make assertions which i contradict and then you reply with personal remarks, have you no answer, i think it’s silly really.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Could it just conceivably be that Kate had a lawyer sitting next to her when being interviewed, and that when the PJ mentioned the dogs excitation, her Lawyer suggested she request Arguido status, so that is what she did - followed her lawyers advice?
Following a lawyers advice is neither suspicious or an admission of guilt, it is just sensible and what most people would do when dealing with a foreign legal system with which they are unfamiliar. And to add peace of mind to an already friendly and calming situation, she was being asked questions in Portuguese via a translator she might have been unsure was getting it right.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
The Real Stig Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
áde
“revelation of the contents of the files - which will expose them as guilty bastards to the world”
This would be the same file which does not contain enough evidence to charge them with anything?
————————————————————
Er, ade didn’t suggest that they were guilty of any specific offences. I took his comment as conveying the same spirit in which Jeremy Paxman allegedly approaches any interview with a politician:
“Why is this lying bastard lying to me?”
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Mrs T
This wasn’t written in the press. You see and hear Mrs Fenn in person. You may choose to put a strange interpretation on what she says but I have no reason not to respect what she says as the simple truth. I don’t think she is lying. On the video you hear her saying she hadn’t even spoken to a journalist and everything she was reported as having said was just press rubbish.
Watch it yourself! When Mrs Fenn begins to speak, you can hear her English quite clearly even though the presenter is translating simultaneously for their viewers.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Sam there is no argument, you do not have one iota of knowledge, about the subject at hand.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
The Real Stig Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
‘Yeah, and I expect to see reindeer on my roof on 25th Dec 2008 and observe a large fat man in a red suit descend down a 200mm flue pipe to deliver the helicopter I wrote him a letter about.’
this one might fit down the chimney,
http://www.daveswebshop.com/af04002.shtml
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I think I may have read an updated version Ferdinand
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Maria Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
chenier
Perhaps you would care to read it and let us have your opinion on whether it is genuine or not?
————————————-
My opinion on that score is as worthless as yours. I cannot possibly know for sure.
————————————–
Actually, my opinion is that we don’t know whether it is genuine or not.
Clearly if the document is genuine then it represents the views of the PJ, and it is the views of the PJ which you are asking me to comment on.
It seems sensible to wait and see, since that would solve our problem for us.
I would note though that it seems unlikely that Article 150º of the Penal Process Code simply doesn’t exist, though I could be wrong…
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
MrsT Says:
” Ferdinand it is on the Expresso website ( thanks chenier - I read it somewhere else
) ”
But I remember to have read somewhere
Therefore, the constitution of KATE HEALY as an arguida was made when she was confronted with concrete elements that might lead to her incrimination, a fact that, within the terms of the penal process law, would officiously force that constitution.
That doesn’t sound as if she asked for it.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
áde
“revelation of the contents of the files - which will expose them as guilty bastards to the world”
This would be the same file which does not contain enough evidence to charge them with anything?
Miraculously, when handed to the ‘world’ this same file undergoes a magical transformation that will clearly indicate their guilt.
Yeah, and I expect to see reindeer on my roof on 25th Dec 2008 and observe a large fat man in a red suit descend down a 200mm flue pipe to deliver the helicopter I wrote him a letter about.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Gandolf Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
‘Sam if you cant read a document that tells you what Rachael Oldfields maiden name is, the rest is beyond your limited capabilities.’
gandolf, it does not say it is her maiden name, but i do note when you are stuck for argument you use ad hominem.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
chenier Says:
” Replying that, say, the police couldn’t prove that it was Madeleine since it might have been the twins or another child would be useless since Oprah would inevitably ask whether they had left their children for the length of time suggested by Mrs Fenn’s evidence. ”
Sure an interesting question.
” Another nasty, though wholly predictable, question would be why the McCanns hadn’t been able to persuade their friends to travel back to Portugal… ”
This one is easier. I would answer: “I certainly would have travelled to Portugal, even though I were not convinced of the sense of the reconstruction. But how can I persuade my friends of something I am not convinced of?”
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
âde Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
off to bed now
god stuff the mcconns
have lots of fun for me watching their demise…
————————–
Well, at least one of our posters is in a good mood tonight.
Good night, ade!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
http://tinyurl.com/5dhwfo