5 Jul 2008

GONCALO CONFIRMS MADELEINE'S DEATH

Hi All, Claudia referred me to this translation she assisted with for gazetta digital and I have reproduced it below because it is obviously fascinating to hear directly now from Goncalo, just ahead of the court hearing McCanns v Leicester Police in open court on Monday. It is most unusual for a family case to be held in open court, normally strict privacy is ensured to protect the child, very sadly Madeleine is far beyond protection. Goncalo obviously realises the McCanns could not sue him because when the files are released next month they will confirm that British and Portuguese Police do of course believe that Madeleine died in their apartment and they then concocted a false abduction scenario and disposed of the body which is what they were being investigated for.


JUSTICE FOR MADDIE

4.7.08
http://gazetadigitalmadeleinecase.blogspot.com/
The former Polícia Judiciária investigator criticized the PJ director and the Justice minister, on a interview, tonight, with TVI, a Portuguese TV channel. Asked if he believed that Madeleine was dead, Gonçalo Amaral said that he was “convinced” she was dead “based on the evidence collected”. When the journalist asked: “Was she killed, there (in the apartment)?”, the former PJ inspector said: “She died there”. About Madeleine's parents being named as formal suspects, Amaral spoke about “strong evidence” as the base for the decision and referred that “there was a common understanding”, between Portuguese and British police officers involved in the investigation, about the fact that Madeleine was dead.
“There was evidence, about two different crimes – which were referred by the defence lawyer, Pinto de Abreu, in a public statement – and it was hiding a body and a criminal simulation. That was the situation, when I left the investigation,” Mr. Amaral said. The former PJ inspector, who has a Law Degree from Lisbon University, mentioned the fact that “these kind of cases of disappearance, frequently bring with it other crimes, sometimes fake statements or physical abuse”.
Questioned about the fact that the McCann were not accused of negligence or child abandonment, Amaral said that “it was clear they (the McCann children) were not safe”, when Madeleine disappeared, but reminded that it's easier, with UK laws, to charge parents in those kind of situations, once the Portuguese Law is more complex, it requires the existence of intention to left the children in a dangerous situation. Gonçalo Amaral refused to comment any decision from the Public Prosecutor's Office of from the Courts and refused to admit that he was “frustrated” with those decisions. Asked about his removal from the investigation, the former PJ inspector told the journalist that he had no contact with PJ director, on that day, and he only knew the reasons when he had a “private conversation” with Alípio Ribeiro – refusing to give details about it.
Gonçalo Amaral revealed that the “statement” he gave to Diário de Notícias – and was the reason for his removal, according to the PJ director – was not correctly reproduced and it was not a statement to a newspaper, but just an informal talk with a journalist from Faro, “very close to the family, a friend of my wife”, who called him to ask about the email sent to the web site of Prince Charles, denouncing a former employee of Ocean Club as the kidnapper. “What I said, talking not to a journalist, but with a friend, a personal talk, was that Police should concentrate in what was the common conclusion of British and Portuguese Police: the child was dead and it was necessary to consolidate the existing evidence and move forward, to find where she could be and what happened.” At that moment, the kidnapping line of inquiry was “already closed”, and “another door was opened”, Mr. Amaral said. When asked about the existence of political interference in the investigation, is answer was short and clear: “I think there was more politics than police.”
“We did our job, the best we knew and we were the target of a lot critics and insults, from the British newspapers”, the former PJ inspector said. When the case of Joana Cipriano was first raised by the British Media, Mr. Amaral contacted the PJ director and called the attention for the risks, because those news about his alleged involvement in the “torture” of the mother of Joana Ciprianio would be, soon, a large campaign against him, and talked about the convenience of taking him out of investigation. “What they told me, later, was that I had all the support and should continue the work.”
“Surprised” with his removal from the investigation, Gonçalo Amaral used a popular Portuguese phrase to explain what he felt, when he knew about his removal: “I felt as I was kicked up in the ass, on October 2.” About the influence and importance of the McCann, Mr. Amaral said that “there is a all story to be told, about this case, and I think that the journalists that followed this case, have a great opportunity and responsibility, in helping to understand what happened. This is really, a case that is different from all other cases.” Gonçalo Amaral criticized the Justice minister, who said, after his removal, that “it was, now, time to work”: “Mr. Justice Minister Alberto Costa, we worked hard.”
Download the audio from the full TVI report and interview here.
(Transcription with the help of Cláudia)

236 comments:

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Cláudia said...

Have a good day, all.

ICantThinkOfAName said...

The reports I've read so far indicate that the LP had agreed to release a very limited amount of information.

The Judge however believes in the existence of an abductor.

Cláudia said...

ICTOAN, if the info is only related to calls people made, to sighting and leads, I think they should be given to their private investigators. That way they won't be able to say the info was kept from them and that's why they came up with zilch.
Many people in this world believe in alien abductions too. :-)

ICantThinkOfAName said...

There seems to be very mixed views on 3A's as to who won.

Cláudia said...

ICTOAN, this is not a game show were people win or lose, in my opinion. The McCanns only win if the info they get will lead their 'private investigators' return Madeleine, right?
I take it that the McCanns think their pathetic little wannabe detectives are more competent than the British Police? Or is the British Police in on it with the PJ?

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Claudia

The win/lose situation give the impression that the McCann are changing the conception oof English law enforcement.


It has also been reported that the Serious Crime Squad was one of the other agencies involved.

I think that Viv has mentioned this in the past.

Joe said...

So the clan get what they want yet again and the Judge asks the abductor to return Madeline, or words to that effect, if the bits I have read are correct? When is this circus going to end? I asked yesterday what exactly the LP are doing? Assisting the PJ or just collecting info for Metodo 3? Unless some one steps in this circus will continue.

Cláudia said...

ICTOAN and Joe, some things cannot be spinned. Others can be spinned but only to a certain extent. The truth will out. One way or another. Sooner or later.

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Posted by paddington2007 on 3A's

Mrs Justice Hogg (From the Press Association)

"There is, of course, one person who knows what has happened to Madeleine and where she may be found," the judge said.

"I ponder about that person - whether that person has a heart and might understand what it must be like for Madeleine to have been taken and secreted from her parents and siblings and those she loved and felt secure with.

"I ponder whether that person has a conscience or any feeling of guilt or remorse or even cares about the hurt that has been caused to an innocent little girl, and whether that person has a faith or belief and what explanation or justification they might give to God.

"I entreat that person, whoever they may be, to show mercy and compassion and come forward now and tell us where Madeleine is to be found. I hope she will be found soon, alive and well."

Very carefully worded - as befitting a statement from a High Court judge - read it however you like.

Cláudia said...

ICTOAN, I would change the judge's words to say: "There are, of course, people who know what has happened to Madeleine and where her little body may be found".

ICantThinkOfAName said...

According to ITN.

The McCanns, both 40, were not in court and Mrs Justice Hogg said she had not asked for their attendance because "they have suffered enough and I wished to ease their burden".

Joe said...

Well it looks like Hogg has already made up her mind that she was abducted. So much for impartiality, when "disappeared" would be the correct word to use at this conjecture. No wonder the PJ are frustrated with bias like this.

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Joe

I think you share my pessimism.

Cláudia said...

Joe and ICTOAN, this is the type of thing the PJ has had to fight against since the 3rd of May 2007. That is why a big part of the Portuguese population have been saying after September/October 2007: let the British Police take over. Let them investigate and stop spending Portuguese tax payers money because the parents of the missing child are the first ones to refuse to cooperate with authorities.

Joe said...

Hi ICTOAN,

It is the establishment, it always liiks after its own,no matter what country it is. If I recall Hogg has brother Douglas who was Agriculture Minister under Thatcher and he was arrogant, aloof, superior and elitist and above the people he had to deal with. I think Thatcher was not happy with his performance at the time.

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Claudia

With this example and the erosion of civil liberties that have taken place in the last 25 years at an accelerating rate I am glad that I am an old man.

I fear for my grandchildren.

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Joe

I refer you to my last posting.

Cláudia said...

ICTOAN, I understand what you mean. :-(

They really don't like courtrooms, do they? Tee hee hee

Wizard said...

Justice Hogg is a queer old bird I also ponder on how she knows that Madeleine was taken and secreted from her parents and siblings and not taken (in all senses of the word) by her parents. I too would say the McCanns have suffered enough for the neglect they showed their children if I believed in an abductor. There is no evidence of an abductor therefore Justice Hogg’s gives a biased opinion which she should not have given in an open court. Disgraceful!

Joe said...

Hi Claudia,

I agree with you 100%. I was thinking along the same lines but I did not want to suggest it for fear of Portuguese people thinking that the PJ were/are not up to it.

IMO it should be passed now to the UK authorities and if they want to do nothing with the files and evidence which CAN be used in the UK it is up to them and the buck will stop there. Madeline was/is no longer important IMO and it keeping the establishment intact is now priority. The truth will only emerge in the form of witnesses, Mr. Amaral, the Tapas if they grow a spine but it will always appear to be subjective. I firmly believe now that there have been manipulations at each step of this case and justice will not be done, but instead the abduction of Madeline scenario will continue.

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Joe

IMHO

The Police and Judiciary are part of the establishment.

Cláudia said...

Joe, the Portuguese people have been saying that almost for one year. Not because they think the PJ is not up to it but exactly because of the opposite. Because they want to stop seeing the PJ, the country and the Portuguese people commented by racist and xenophobic ignorant liars; because Portuguese people want the government to stop spending money because of a pack of 9 irresponsible liars; and because the Portuguese want the PJ to focus on our own problems. I have to say that I'm one of the very few who always thopught the PJ should persue this till the end, no matter what. But I was also of the opinion that the investigation died the day Mr Amaral was pushed. And I believed he was pushed exactly because he had the audacity to enter very uncomfortable areas. Too close to the truth, probably. And yes, I also believe that there was influence and interference almost every step of the way...

Unknown said...

Hiya all

So the McCanns have dropped their High Court action against Leicester Police in a compromised deal where the police release just 80 pieces of information from a massive 11,000! I think it is very interesting that the police are prepared to release only details of calls made immediately after Madeleine went missing. This suggests to me that they are not prepared to release details of what they are actually investigating, the McCanns putting forward a simulated abduction claim. Upon any interpretation, this is a massive climb down for the McCanns who have had to accept they are being investigated and the police simply will not hand over details of that investigation to them.

So far as the statement from Mrs Justice Hogg is concerned. I did wonder why a Family hearing was being held in open court. WE see the same tactics here as was employed in the settlement deal reached with Express Newspapers. As part of such a deal the Judge can be given a prepared statement to read in open court and that is exactly what it looks like to me. I do not believe these are the words of the judge herself, it just does not sound like the words of a High Court Judge to me!

I am sure more will come out about this, but of course we are getting the usual biased reporting in the UK press seeking to suggest the Judge actually believes Madeleine was abducted and that somehow this is a victory for the McCanns.

Clarence Mitchell's comments are a grave insult to both Leicester and Portuguese Police in suggesting that they have, for the past fourteen months, no less, sat on information that could lead to the abductors of Madeleine. What a dreadful suggestion to make and just how absurd is it to suggest that the likes of M3 could do a better job than the police in two countries!
Police officers are father, mothers, grandparents themselves. If there was any possibility whatsoever that they could have recovered Madeleine, alive, then of course they would have done so. The McCanns are clearly suggesting there has been some sort of conspiracy against them and the police have just not bothered to try and find Madeleine. This is a terrible allegation to make.

Viv x

Joe said...

Claudia,

With the case about to be shelved( more than likely) the PT people will have their wish. One cannot fight an honest fight if the opposition use dishonest methods. The PJ have had political intervention and the whole matter has become a poisoned chalice.

Once something becomes political then it goes beyond the realms of law and order, right and wrong. That is what happened here and in politics the truth rarely comes out.

Cláudia said...

Just to let you know that a Portuguese woman was arrested and brought to court because she left her 8 yeard old son home alone. The woman is a single mother and works shifts. She was working when at half past one in the morning a neighbour heard and saw her son cry in the balcony and alerted authorities. The boy apparently woke up and got scared when he saw he was home alone. The woman is back home while she awaits trial.

Cláudia said...

There are more than 11 000 pieces of info, right? The British Police agree to hand them pathetic 81 leads which they are already aware of, most likely. And they drop the court case? Why? What about the rest of the info? Don't they want to leave no stone unturned? Come on McCanns. Go to court and fight. Fight for your daughter. You believe she's alive and unharmed, right? So do it. She is waiting for you to fight, win and go and rescue her. Or don't you believe that?

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Claudia

And her son didn't disappear from the face of the earth.

Cláudia said...

ICTOAN, no, her son did not vanish. And he was 8. And she was working. But then again she is Portuguese and does not speak on the phone with the prime minister.
P.S: I still think this woman is neglectful. Her son isn't responsible for the circumstances. And she should have asked for help. The social services confirmed there were no contacts made.

Joe said...

IMO the 81 files will be used to target witnesses to perhaps manipulate their statements. Perhaps to say "you saw Madeline" did'nt you?
Or "you say the creepy man", in the hope that the doubt will be created or manufactured that Madeline was abducted and clear the clan. I hope it backfires on them.

ICantThinkOfAName said...

Claudia

I agree with both strains of your last posting.

On a more pleasent note, did you enjoy your day at the Christening?

Cláudia said...

ICTOAN, yes, I had a lot of fun, thanks. And my feet did not even complain from the very high heels. It was not too hot! :-)

Cláudia said...

Off to enjoy the good weather and the great afternoon.
Read you all later! :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi all,

I am still keeping myself grounded through all the Spin. 80 out of 11,000 and them dropping the case. Speaks volumes for me.

BBFN.

Unknown said...

Hiya Claudia

Thanks for details about the case of the working mom with the 8 year old little boy. Subjecting children to such emotional trauma and physical neglect is never acceptable but there is a lot of mitigation for this hard up lady trying to make ends meet. I hope she is dealt with sympathetically and given appropriate support to both work and properly protect her little boy from further harm. This is not a case of wilful neglect where the parent was out for pleasure or a case where it was wilful because the parent could afford childcare and refuses to pay for it and so I do hope there is no question of a custodial sentence in this case. In UK she would probably not even be prosecuted, although would certainly have been arrested from her place of work, but would be assisted and monitored by SSD.

It is clearly not comparable with the seriousness of the McCann case but just goes to show what happens in Portugal to people who do not have highlevel backing. Hence all the McCanns wanted to do was run, never mind looking for Madeleine, self interest is all they have ever demonstrated.

Viv x

ICantThinkOfAName said...

No comment!

McCanns may face neglect charge while Spanish police claim kidnap was 'impossible'

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 10:06 AM on 07th July 2008

Anonymous said...

I sent these people a email. For over a year I have wanted to and held my mouth shut
But a few days ago i finally did it
Of course there has been NO response!

I wrote

To the McCanns

I've held my thoughts for the past year but can no longer do so...........

Well Here are my two thoughts.

I dont care a ratz about you in respect of whether you are being victimized or not. I have two children. I would NOT Even leave them EITHER OF them with
a baby sitter let alone on their own

I think you drugged her as in to sedate her to sleep so you could go to dinner. I think it went wrong..I think she reacted to the drug and died. I think that you covered it up.

You would have had FAR MORE Respect and Understanding if you had of come clean. If you had of spoken the truth. Told everyone that it was a accident

YES you would have probably lost your Dr's Licenses ............. but SO What you could have held your head high that you did the RIGHT Thing by your daughter and your Twins\

YOU CAN STILL DO THE RIGHT THING

TELL THE TRUTH......



Since reading
Gonçalo Amaral on http://www.mccannfiles.com/id79.html
Just now, I am convinced more than ever of their guilt.

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