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Saturday, May 26, 2007

Police focus on the McCanns as suspects


The police in their leaving no stone unturned search for the missing Madeliene McCann now appear to have switched their focus upon Gerry and Kate McCann as being prime suspects in the investigation. I would be surprised if the police did not brief the presenters of both the BBC and Sky what questions they would like them to ask so that they could study the tapes for tell tale signs during the answers given by both Gerry and Kate McCann.

I think that it is right that they feel guilty for the disappearance of Madeliene. It was irresponsible for them to have gone off and left three young children home alone, and I don't accept that it is what thousands of other parents would have done. And, if this is the case, is it what thousands of professional couples would have done? Gerry McCann stated that he felt guilty that they were not there when Madeliene was abducted. The point is, if she was abducted, it would not have happened had they been there. He also said that he would have felt just as guilty had they been in the next bedroom when she was abducted, again, it would not have happened had they been in the next bedroom.

A couple of things that stand out for me are Gerry McCann's desire to control things, for example, "Influencing the publicity side of it", and, "The fund was really evolved to provide an outlet for people who wanted to contribute financially". I would like to know how The International Family Law Group became involved, did they contact the McCanns or vice versa? Finally, the McCanns announced that they had no intention of coming back to the UK. Personally, I can't wait to get back home.

BBC interview with the McCanns.

Sky News interview with the McCanns.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a father I was initially angry when I first heard the story about Madeleine, angry because children had been left alone.

However on reflection, I don’t believe that little Madeleine or her parents deserve this because of that one irresponsible act.

In relation the police liaising with the press & involving them in the investigation in a secretive manner. Come on, the press!

You seem to take issue with the fund being raised but once again as a parent if “god forbid” I was ever in that situation I would move mountains to find my child. I would not care how it was done. Nothing is more important than protecting a child. If other peoples money would assist in the search for one of mine then so be it.

This story has all the hallmarks of people getting used to the idea that a little girl is missing & letting their minds wander towards another more sinister story. It’s simply called gossip.

Somewhere there is a child, hopefully alive. Who knows what horrors this little girl has gone through. That thought has sickened me these last few weeks. Imagine what it has done to her parents.

There may be a strange twist, nothing is impossible, but without evidence to the contrary lets not pick the bones until the meal is finished.

jailhouselawyer said...

I didn't feel any anger at all. The only thing I felt from the word go was suspicion.

The police work with the media in this country in this respect. British police are over there assisting. I think that that there has been a change of tactics.

As I recall, it was announced that a fund would be set up very quickly and the details how to contribute would follow. And that this was within the first 48 hours. As you say, finding Madeliene is the important issue. This did not appear to be the McCanns priority which is odd. They were more interested in setting up a business to exploit the situation. Even more reason to be suspicious.

Anonymous said...

I understand suspicion, that is me all over. In relation to the speed of their actions my first thoughts are good on ya. As I previously said I would move mountains & to heck with what people think.

What I’m getting at is this, are your suspicions just a gut feeling (ok you might ultimately be correct) or do you have more information. If it is just a feeling then where I have an issue is, using publicly words like “exploit”. if they are genuinely decent folks going through hell shouldn’t we refrain from our judgements until the end?

I guess I’m using the “you shouldn’t kick a man while he’s down”, argument.

I also have to say that for some reason this particular missing child story has really got to me. More than any other I have heard of & for that reason I am a little sensitive to the issue.

jailhouselawyer said...

Initially, it was gut reaction. But, then I saw the first video of the McCanns appeal and my suspicions were raised further based upon what I heard and saw. The McCanns, in effect, were asking us for a great leap in faith. I don't put much store in faith. I prefer seeing is believing. The McCanns version of events of a break in were not supported by the holiday company who said the opposite. The police checked for signs of a break in but have not confirmed the McCanns version. But, they have not said anything to the contrary.

The McCanns were claiming they knew it was an abduction straight away. It was possible that Madeliene could have gone walkabout. I don't know what has happened to Madeliene except that she is missing. There may be a Robert Murat/Russian connection to her disappearance. But, I suspect that the connection between them has to do with something else. In Russia and other Eastern European countries they do have child pornography, but use children off the streets or in orphanages. With such an easy supply close to hand why risk an abduction abroad?

Even allowing for the difference in UK and Portugese police procedures in relation to discussing evidence, Gerry McCann was taking control of the media and the setting up of the fund within 48 hours. The police do not perform miracles, still it was rather hasty to take control and not leave it to the professionals. It feels like a hidden agenda at work, one only has to think of Alistair Campbell how he was able to manipulate the media by spin.

There should be some logical pattern to follow by now but there are more questions than answers. I cannot eliminate the McCanns from suspicion whilst there are still some unanswered questions. It is one thing to want to do everything possible to get a missing child back, quite another to manipulate the media into a hype and play on peoples emotions for donations. It appears as if the focus for the McCanns was the distribution of the photos rather than getting a daughter back. I am waiting to hear from any witness other than the McCanns when was the last time Maddeliene was seen.

Anonymous said...

In an earlier part of my career I had to make life or death decisions based on immediate first impressions.
Quite frankly from the first my antennae have been buzzing with unease over this.
As a parent I give them the benefit of doubt.
But professionally there are a number of questions I would like to see the McCanns answer.
Questions that might lead to more substantive avenues to explore, rather than chasing shadows.

Anonymous said...

It seems that Gordon Brown is now involved. The BBC reports that after several phone calls with the McCann's he has put pressure on the Portuguese police to release details of the possible "abductor" seen on that night.

If you are correct Jailhouse, then the McCann's have upped the anti by several notches. Myself I think this is very dangerous ground for Brown, will he personally help the parents of every missing child from now on?

Two points you made in your last post, are the ones that sent the Alarm bells off for me.

1, When was Madeleine last seen alive? It is reported that Mr McCann checked on the three children at 9.10, what exactly does this mean?

2, The McCann's were instantly certain that Madeleine had been abducted (actually just Mrs McCann went back at 10pm). This directly conflicts with their story that they were sure Madeleine had been left in a safe, idyllic and child friendly place.

jailhouselawyer said...

alarm bells: As I understand it, this alleged sighting was by a friend of the McCanns and the police have had it for three weeks. How many men would fit that description? Not much to go on is it?

White
5ft 10ins
Medium build
Short hair
Wearing a dark jacket, beige trousers and dark shoes
Carrying "a child or an object that could have been taken as a child".

Perhaps, Gerry McCann should be pointing the accusing finger at a mirror held up in front of himself?

Anonymous said...

Agree.

Gerry also seems to be the source of all the conflicting reports about this case and the certainty that an abduction has taken place.

As for the.International Family Law Group (IFLG). Their fees to provide two lawyers on site 24/7 must be taking a big chunk out of the No Stone Unturned fighting fund company.

Anonymous said...

i've had a beer so only paying lip service to the comments but,


1, When was Madeleine last seen alive? It is reported that Mr McCann checked on the three children at 9.10, what exactly does this mean?

Madeleine was last seen alive at 9.10 would appear to be the answer.

sorry if my post appears rude but i refer to my opening sentence combined with anal comment.

up the workers!

jailhouselawyer said...

grannys.myth.peeler: You need to leave the beer alone as it is effecting your eyesight "I am waiting to hear from any witness other than the McCanns when was the last time Madeliene was seen". I am assuming that the McCanns are being less than honest.

Not Saussure said...

JHL, where exactly do your headline and opening paragraph come from? Can't be the Portuguese police because they aren't allowed to say much about anything. Have the British police questioned the McCanns under caution, or something?

I'm puzzled.

jailhouselawyer said...

The headline is attention grabbing. It is not based on fact. The opening sentence clarifies the point "now appear". There has been a definite switch. It's not a Portugese thing. It's a British police thing. Give them enough rope to hang themselves. The Times today reports that the Portugese media were looking for a scapegoat, Robert Murat. His story is supported. The McCanns isn't. The camera doesn't lie, I am not talking about trick photography, I am on about the studying of the tapes. The classic signs of lying which cannot be hidden from view. I expect at any time to hear the announcement of their arrests and questioning as suspects rather than as witnesses. Softly, softly, catchee monkey...

Anonymous said...

Audience with The Pope indeed. Am audience with Social Services would have been more appropriate. I have written to Gordon Brown telling him how disappointed I am that he has got involved in this circus while ignoring other issues like an independant Scotland for example. So far he has not replied.

Anonymous said...

Some facts.

Coloboma (tear drop eye) is according to medical websites (authoritative ones) a sign that Long QT syndrome may be present.

Long QT syndrome is the heart disorder that can lead to sudden death following a shock sometimes as trivial as an alarm clock going off. Or maybe from being upset emotionally in some way.

Long QT according to medical websites cannot be ruled out by tests - only ruled in. So even if you come out clear in a test you still might have it.

Gerry McCann is a cardiac consultant - a heart specialist.