What the papers say - Amaral V McCanns trial

The lovely DM are printing comments ,lots of them negative including mine.

McCanns angrily dismiss Portugese detectives’ claims that Madeleine is dead

Gerry and Kate McCann talk to journalists as they arrive at a court hearing in Lisbon
heraldscotland staff

0 commentsPublished on 13 Jan 2010

Gerry McCann angrily dismissed Portuguese detectives’ claims that his daughter Madeleine is dead as he arrived at court.

Senior officers involved in the case told a hearing in Lisbon yesterday of their belief that the little girl died in her family’s holiday flat and that her parents faked her abduction.

Returning for a second day of evidence, Mr McCann and his wife Kate insisted that none of the claims were new.

Mr McCann was asked by a Portuguese reporter whether it was worth the emotional cost for the couple to attend the court case.

He replied: “Do you have children? Anyone who has children would go through the same process.”

Lisbon’s main civil court is hearing an attempt by former police chief Goncalo Amaral to overturn a ban on his book questioning the McCanns’ account of what happened to Madeleine.

Speaking as he arrived at the court building hand-in-hand with his wife, Mr McCann seized on public prosecutor Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses’s testimony yesterday that it was “50-50” whether the child is dead.

Mr McCann said: “The most important thing yesterday was what the prosecutor said, there is absolutely no evidence that Madeleine is dead and there is absolutely no evidence that we were involved in her disappearance.

“That is the conclusion of the process and that is what we are here debating - the conclusions of the process versus the conclusions of the book.”

Chief Inspector Tavares de Almeida told the court yesterday he believed that Madeleine died in her family’s apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the day she went missing.

He said the main evidence for this was the findings of British police sniffer dogs sent to Portugal to examine the flat.

Mr McCann said the evidence of the police witnesses called by Mr Amaral’s lawyers did not surprise him.

“Why would we be shocked? We are not denying the existence of the dogs or anything else,” he said.

“It’s evidence we’re interested in. There is no evidence that Madeleine is dead, that’s what you heard yesterday.”

His wife added: “There’s nothing new.”

Mr Amaral’s lawyers argue that the material in his book - Maddie: The Truth Of The Lie - is contained in the official Portuguese police files for the case, many of which were made public in August 2008.

Arriving for today’s hearing, Mr Amaral said he was “very happy” that his police colleagues had repeated in court what was in the files and in his book.

The McCanns, both 41, from Rothley, Leicestershire, say their main motive for challenging the former policeman is the fear that people will stop looking for their daughter if they think she is dead.

Explaining why the couple launched legal action against Mr Amaral, Mr McCann said today: “This is a legal process that we’re going through to protect our daughter and our family.

“We’re looking for new information to help the search.

“The question of course is who is looking for Madeleine and who has been looking for Madeleine over the last two years, and that is us and our investigators.”

Mr McCann will return to Britain this afternoon because of work commitments, a spokeswoman for the couple said.

Fiona Payne, one of the friends who was on holiday with the McCanns when Madeleine disappeared on May 3 2007, is flying out to support Mrs McCann.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/mccanns-angrily-dismiss-portugese-detectives-claims-that-madeleine-is-dead-1.998408

halfamo wrote:The lovely DM are printing comments ,lots of them negative including mine.

Been removed now

fred wrote:

halfamo wrote:The lovely DM are printing comments ,lots of them negative including mine.

Been removed now

Hi fred, yeh getting too negative for them, its that list of people to sue the Ms have got.

If, as described in today's Mirror, Kate McCann was so convinced by a dream she had in which her daughter's body was on a hillside that she rang detectives about it, why was she still insisting she was alive? I love the way the Mirror uses this to insult those running the investigation, when the McCanns themselves obviously thought it needed reporting. Then, the McCanns spokeswoman says, "It's hurting them, these things repeated again and again", when its they who asked for the things to be repeated, by suing Amaral.

Harvesmom wrote:

dazedandconfused wrote:

Harvesmom wrote:I'm still not convinced this will go the right way, they're not so stupid they wouldnt have known all this was going to be said, I'm not celebrating till we've heard their witnesses I'm afraid

I'm thinking along the same line Harvesmom. I wonder what Clarrie has up his sleeve to counter attack the negative publicity.

Is Clarrie even there DazedandConfused (gonna call you D/C from now on lol)

I've no idea of he's there or not but I'm sure he will have some "useful" input to give the Macs wherever he is.

ali1966 wrote:It is on sky news now that the McCanns are going to give evidence today. Does that mean that Amaral's Lawyers will be able to cross-examine them?

Gerry is supposed to go home today, so he will be up first no doubt, leaving cadaver Kate to shiver in her shoes.

According to today's online version of the Snail, Gerald is flying back to the UK today due to work commitments ( so he does work occasionally?) and the lovely Fiona is flying out to support Kate.

Ex-Madeleine McCann detective seeks to lift book ban

It makes it sounds as if it's GA who's suing the McScum!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8454431.stm

It just seems really strange to see a BBC headline written like that!

Yes famous, I noticed that. More honest than the McCanns go to Portugal for libel trial slant!

I read that late last Night on the News Page, the Beeb was not siding with the McCann's makes a change.
Perhaps at last the tide is turning.
Whatever the outcome of this Case they have lost, things that they never wanted to be heard by the Public have now been heard, they will never ever be free of suspicion of what happened to Madeleine.
One day their time will come.

OK, thanks roisin

Ambersuz wrote:

The McCanns' lawyer, Isabel Duarte, challenged this claim, arguing that the sniffer dog results did not constitute proof and were not allowed as evidence in the case.

I'm eager to see what proof they will show that Maddie is alive? Because if they have nothing then it shouldnt be allowed as evidence either right?

Law as written by the McCanns Amber ,its apparently different to the laws everyone else abides by.

jejune wrote:If, as described in today's Mirror, Kate McCann was so convinced by a dream she had in which her daughter's body was on a hillside that she rang detectives about it, why was she still insisting she was alive? I love the way the Mirror uses this to insult those running the investigation, when the McCanns themselves obviously thought it needed reporting. Then, the McCanns spokeswoman says, "It's hurting them, these things repeated again and again", when its they who asked for the things to be repeated, by suing Amaral.

Its because they make it up as they go along.

Laffin Assasin wrote:I've caught "Grave Robbers " out in the past, in my Diving days, an Ex-detective helped me, I supplied the info, ex CID under cover cop "Socialised" with culprits, got the waekest link drunk, bobs your Uncle.

What are grave robbers and diving days LA? It sounds like you have an interesting life.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1242736/Anyone-children-Angry-Gerry-McCann-dismisses-claims-Madeleine-dead-libel-case-continues.html#comments

You've shot yourself in the foot this time Gezza.

Some more good comments http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1242736/Anyone-children-Angry-Gerry-McCann-dismisses-claims-Madeleine-dead-libel-case-continues.html

Mike o'Sullivan comeing up again on BBC East Midlands.

Reporting Gerry's "passionate" speech out side the court.

I thought they were there to report on what happened inside the Court !!!?????

a sample before they go woosh cluck

Not everyone with children would leave them unattended in an apartment whilst swanning off to have dinner out of their line of sight or sound either!

- White Dragon, Bristol, England, 13/1/2010 13:27
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In a foreign country and leaving not one but 3 infants in unlocked rooms whilst the parents join their friends for drinks and dinner well away from where the children are. The rooms being out of sight from where the parents dined.

What responsible parent would do that ?. You would not even do it in England if caring parents.

- Pip Waller, North Yorkshire, 13/1/2010 13:26
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'Do you have children? Anyone who has children would go through the same process.'

I am sorry Mr. McCann but this wornout statement is idealistic and quite simply not true.

Fortunately a lot of parents are very caring, but there are plenty of people with children who do not care sufficently for, or about their offspring.

There are also plenty of childless people who are wonderfully compassionate and caring towards children.

I am truly sorry for what you've been through but don't attack others based on their parental status, remember, you're the parent that left a child alone.

- Fi, Sydney Australia, 13/1/2010 13:12
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....and equally there is no evidence to say that she is alive either.

- Crissy, Derby UK, 13/1/2010 13:08
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how is this court case going to help in the search for their daughter?? I am sorry sorry for Madeleine, and we all have our opinions on what happened, but suing a police detective in his own country where free speech is honoured? The evidence was so muddled that no one can prove anything either way and I think they should leave Amaral alone and get on with looking for their daughter.

- cybergran, sant carls,spain, 13/1/2010 13:06
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'Anyone with children' would NOT leave them all alone, despite what the McCann's would like us all to believe.

- S, UK, 13/1/2010 13:01

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1242736/Anyone-children-Angry-Gerry-McCann-dismisses-claims-Madeleine-dead-libel-case-continues.html#ixzz0cWE1SKmk

Actually Mr Mcann, anyone with chidren usually supervises them continually, not leave them alone while they go out.

- Lorna Collins, Bournemouth, 13/1/2010 12:50
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Most people would not have left their children alone in the first place

- John, Doncaster, 13/1/2010 12:48
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' Anyone who has children would go through the same process.'

Anyone who has children........WOULDN'T Leave them Home alone either !!!

- Jo, Chester, 13/1/2010 12:57
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'Anyone with kids' would have not have abandoned them whilst you enjoyed your tapas gerry

- christopher Tracy, bath, 13/1/2010 12:56
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Anyone with children would not have left them alone while they went out socialising.

- Stephen John, waterlooville, 13/1/2010 12:53
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err - Not every parent would leave 3 children under 4 years alone at night in a forign country, or even in their own home.

- GG, Snowy Yorkshire, 13/1/2010 12:59

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1242736/Anyone-children-Angry-Gerry-McCann-dismisses-claims-Madeleine-dead-libel-case-continues.html#ixzz0cWENA1UD

fred wrote:

Laffin Assasin wrote:I've caught "Grave Robbers " out in the past, in my Diving days, an Ex-detective helped me, I supplied the info, ex CID under cover cop "Socialised" with culprits, got the waekest link drunk, bobs your Uncle.

What are grave robbers and diving days LA? It sounds like you have an interesting life.

PM'd you

Well, Clarry must be co-ordinating Mike O'Sullivan and the BBC eat midalnds crew.

eddie wrote:Let's hope he didn't swear like that as he has already allegedly 'dozed off' in court and tbh he is making the Mc's look better than him at the moment.

What does it say about Gerry telling Payne to F*ck off on the airport bus in front of his children, imo Mr Amaral is a saint compared to Gerry.

Like the comments being said in the mail news paper are quite right, no parents should leave their children alone and most parents don't so most parents are not like Gerry and kate Mccanns, so they have no right to say other parents leave their children like they do that is shocking

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... -dead.html

Gerry McCann rejects claims his daughter Madeleine is dead

Gerry McCann has defended the legal action he and his wife Kate are taking in Portugal, claiming any parent would do the same.

By By Fiona Govan in Lisbon
Published: 8:24PM GMT 13 Jan 2010

Madeleine McCann's parents have spoken out against Portuguese detectives who accused them of covering up their daughter’s death.

Mr McCann said the determination of police investigators to pursue the “mistaken” theory, despite a lack of evidence, had harmed the search for his missing daughter.

“It’s disappointing that certain police officers who considered us as possibly involved in Madeleine's disappearance have not been able to change their mind, despite a lack of evidence,” he said outside court in Lisbon.

"It is these officers who we’re dependent on for pursuing the investigation within Portugal."

Mr McCann was asked by a Portuguese reporter whether it was worth the emotional cost for the couple to attend the court.

He replied: "Do you have children? Anyone who has children would go through the same process."

His comments came on the second day of a tense legal battle with the former head of the investigation, Goncalo Amaral, who has written a book about the case.

The couple heard a series of allegations made against them by former detectives involved in the initial investigation as they closed ranks around the ex-police chief.

Four detectives on the case, the public prosecutor and a leading criminologist were all called to testify in support of Mr Amaral’s claims that Madeleine died in a tragic accident in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.

But the McCanns dismissed claims that their daughter was dead and they had concealed her body and faked an abduction.

“I’ll like to remind everyone that it is the book that is on trial and not Kate and I,” Mr McCann said outside court.

“Over last two days we have heard a lot about Amaral’s thesis that Madeleine is dead,” he told reporters. “but we have also heard that there is absolutely no evidence to support that thesis.

“A thesis without evidence is meaningless – and that is what we are here to discuss,” he said.

On Wednesday a court heard how the McCanns, both 41, had woven “a fairytale” to divert police and should have been prosecuted for neglect after leaving their children in the holiday apartment unattended.

Portugal’s leading criminologist Francisco Moita Flores told the court that the abduction theory pushed by the McCanns should have been dismissed immediately as it was “totally implausible”.

He also accused British police of failing to follow up leads that could have led to the couple’s arrest.

"No one believed it was a kidnap. The theory was a fairy tale invented by the McCanns,” he said.

He said Mr Amaral, who he admitted had been a friend for almost 30 years, was a good policeman and that the investigation had been carried out correctly.

He branded the injunction banning the book "pathetic" because it prevented a citizen expressing his opinions in a responsible way.

"This trial is bizarre - an aberration,” he told the court by video link.

The testimony came as Mr Amaral, 50, expressed his total disregard for the couple suing him for libel following the publication of his book “Maddie: The Truth of the Lie” in July 2008.

“F*** the McCanns,” he said on camera when asked by BBC East Midlands news team what he thought of the case.

The current hearing is part of lengthy legal battle that could eventually win the McCanns 1 million euros in damages.

The couple, both doctors from Rothley, Leics, said their main motive for challenging the former policeman is the fear that people will believe his version and will stop looking for their daughter.

"There is a little girl missing who still needs to be found and we will keep going until Madeleine is found and also until whoever has taken her is brought to justice,” said Mr McCann.

"That is why we carry on. We have other children who miss Madeleine dearly and we will be able to look them in the eye and say we have done everything to help that search."