Former Portuguese detective Gonçalo Amaral wins appeal in damages trial.

[Angelo222]

Let's face it, this latest and probably final judgement in the damages trial will be painful to the McCanns in more ways than one.  They must be devastated by this ruling of the Appeal Court which opens up the way for what could be a very expensive countersuit against them.

[stephen25000]

Let's face it, this latest and probably final judgement in the damages trial will be painful to the McCanns in more ways than one.  They must be devastated by this ruling of the Appeal Court which opens up the way for what could be a very expensive countersuit against them.

Precisely.

In my and others view they had this coming.

[jassi]

Let's face it, this latest and probably final judgement in the damages trial will be painful to the McCanns in more ways than one.  They must be devastated by this ruling of the Appeal Court which opens up the way for what could be a very expensive countersuit against them.

It couldn't happen to nicer people - Having tried to destroy someone, they deserve everything they get - IMO 

[stephen25000]

It couldn't happen to nicer people - Having tried to destroy someone, they deserve everything they get - IMO

Precisely.

[Benice]

Let's face it, this latest and probably final judgement in the damages trial will be painful to the McCanns in more ways than one.  They must be devastated by this ruling of the Appeal Court which opens up the way for what could be a very expensive countersuit against them.

On what grounds can he sue them?

[Carana]

It couldn't happen to nicer people - Having tried to destroy someone, they deserve everything they get - IMO

What exactly did they do to him to "destroy" him aside from suing him for his assertions that their missing child was dead and that they had committed crimes for which there is no proof?

[Carana]

On what grounds can he sue them?

I asked that question as well, Benice. But I don't think I got an answer.

[lordpookles]

I think anyone would sue if they were being slandered with such serious accusations - assuming they are innocent. Anyone here would right? I certainly would for both the money and for my reputation.

[stephen25000]

What exactly did they do to him to "destroy" him aside from suing him for his assertions that their missing child was dead and that they had committed crimes for which there is no proof?

Are you serious ?

He postulated a thesis, and at no time said the mccanns killed Madeleine.

[faithlilly]

I think anyone would sue if they were being slandered with such serious accusations - assuming they are innocent. Anyone here would right? I certainly would for both the money and for my reputation.

Yet none of those reasons were put forward as a reason for suing.

[Eleanor]

I asked that question as well, Benice. But I don't think I got an answer.

He can't sue them for their opinion because they are entitled to that. 

And it was The Portuguese Court that froze his assets due to his previously dreadful propensity for non payment of his debts.

What else is there?

[lordpookles]

Are you serious ?

He postulated a thesis, and at no time said the mccanns killed Madeleine.

But at the very least he is insinuating and speculating that they are responsible for the demise of their daughter... So if they gave the children sleeping medication this is what killed Madeliene... Hence the McCanns were responsible although he does not claim her death was intentional...

[jassi]

I think anyone would sue if they were being slandered with such serious accusations - assuming they are innocent. Anyone here would right? I certainly would for both the money and for my reputation.

Like Lord Archer, you mean 

[Angelo222]

On what grounds can he sue them?

Very simply, material loss.  Amaral has lost a substantial amount of money due to the McCanns failed legal actions against him.  He is entitled to seek reparation.

[Alice Purjorick]

The files weren't available to the media until 4 August. 21 July was when the AG announced the archival.

Although the book was launched on 24 July, he started a pre-launch media blitz some weeks before that.

It's not difficult to imagine that his bleating about death and cover-up made for far more sensational reading than the conclusions of the archiving report.


14. on the 21st July 2008 the General Prosecution of the Republic divulged a note to the media announcing the archiving of the criminal investigation and that the same could be reopen by the initiative of the Public Ministry or any interested parties if new elements of evidence that would lead to pertinent diligences (article 20 of Base Instrutória) .

...


26. On the day of its launch, 24.07.08, the book was also sold with the newspaper Correio d Manhã.

http://pjga.blogspot.co.uk


On 4 August 2008 access to the case file was granted to the 'media' by the Portuguese authorities. In compliance with Portuguese law certain documents had been withheld by the Portuguese authorities for reasons recorded in the file.
http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/04.htm

That is totally irrelevant to the public domain issue.