UK Justice Forum 🇬🇧
Disappeared and Abducted Children and Young Adults => Madeleine McCann (3) disappeared from her parent's holiday apartment at Ocean Club, Praia da Luz, Portugal on 3 May 2007. No trace of her has ever been found. => Topic started by: faithlilly on April 02, 2015, 05:11:11 PM
-
From an experienced investigator.
http://portugalresident.com/ex-detective-adds-his-voice-to-the-legions-backing-disgraced-maddie-cop
Ex-detective adds his voice to the legions backing disgraced Maddie cop
(http://portugalresident.com/sites/default/files/styles/node-detail/public/field/image/728x410xUntitled-1_7_0_0.jpg,qitok=AzFUdVkZ.pagespeed.ic.KYosjL2gmv.webp)
A former German detective with years of experience working on murder investigations has added his voice to the legions of people backing disgraced Madeleine cop Gonçalo Amaral.
Ulrich Merz, 60, was in Praia da Luz on the day Madeleine went missing in 2007. He has been following the various investigations ever since with the eye of a trained professional.
His “exasperation” at the way things have been handled down the years is one of the reasons for his decision to put pen to paper.
He writes to Amaral as the latter waits on tenterhooks to hear the judge’s final decision over whether or not he is liable for the €1.2 million defamation claim taken out against him by Madeleine’s parents five years ago.
Merz does not mince his words. Amaral’s theory, given the details available at the time, was “completely valid”, he tells the policeman.
The theory that burglars could have abducted Madeleine simply “does not fit the profile”, he claims - and indeed, in his opinion as a criminal investigator, Merz does “not believe in an abduction” at all.
Social media support for Amaral since he was “disgraced” - particularly by the British media - and removed from the original Portuguese investigation has been resounding, but this is perhaps the first time a trained police investigator has come out on record in this way.
Non-English speaking, Merz is unconcerned.
He claims the case is unique in that the Portuguese government “has allowed itself to be pushed around” by Britain, currently conducting the “Operation Grange” investigation into Madeleine’s almost eight-year-old disappearance.
“The way this case has been handled is particularly unique because your conclusions differed from those of the British government,” he told Amaral, stressing his “exasperation” at seeing a fellow policeman’s work “denigrated”.
The Resident learnt of Merz’ letter as it was handed to us to pass on to Amaral. We cannot go into the details of Merz’ theory as a criminal investigator with specific experience in murder cases as it would undoubtedly see us in legal hot-water.
As Portuguese news media has long pointed out, Amaral’s theory, expounded in his book “The Truth of the Lie”, has seen him financially-strapped since its publication.
Bank accounts have been frozen, the book ‘seized’ and withdrawn from sale for months, and his “civil position”, as the former detective refers to it, made untenable.
In an open letter to his supporters as the long-running trial for defamation came to a close, Amaral reiterated his belief that the parents of the missing child have “sought to ‘asphyxiate’ him financially and push him to a civil death” - a position from which he would be “unable to react judicially”.
“After five years, the parents of the child that mysteriously disappeared on the 3rd of May of 2007 in the Algarve were not able to fully achieve what they intended. I am alive, I'm able to financially sustain the civil suit, although not much more than that…”
Since that message, Projecto Justiça Gonçalo Amaral has issued a new bulletin saying the judge’s decision on the McCann parents’ suit should come after the judicial holidays which close on April 6.
“We trust in justice and serenely await the judge’s decision,” the message came to its close.
“God’s windmills move slowly,” Merz concluded in his letter to Amaral. “You are in a trap made by bad people, but I know that when someone shares the knowledge of the deed, the conscience always come out - even if it is unintentional.
“I have strong hope in your complete recovery and rehabilitation,” he tells the Portuguese “colleague” whom he has never met.
Endless column inches have been devoted to this eternal mystery but the truth is that Gonçalo Amaral has been fighting for his professional credibility in an arena bereft of mainstream support.
It is this reality that prompted Ulrich Merz’ hand-written letter which comes in the wake of rumblings from the UK that the Metropolitan Police may at last be considering a renewed scale back of the multi-million pound investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance.
By NATASHA DONN natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
-
I don't know what to make of this Faith. I really don't. I do support Amaral in his fight against the McCanns, due to my belief in Freedom of expression. However, his theory has never been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
I also wonder why he waits until now to come out of the , where ever it is he has been hiding these feelings, to support Amaral. Was he there on that night, as a guest? witness?...just seems strange to me. I also had a feeling there was a subiminal message there somewhere...
-
I don't know what to make of this Faith. I really don't. I do support Amaral in his fight against the McCanns, due to my belief in Freedom of expression. However, his theory has never been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
I also wonder why he waits until now to come out of the , where ever it is he has been hiding these feelings, to support Amaral. Was he there on that night, as a guest? witness?...just seems strange to me. I also had a feeling there was a subiminal message there somewhere...
the voice of reason
-
The letter is a fake.
-
The letter is a fake.
Is that a fact or your opinion ?
-
The letter is a fake.
I think you are absolutely right...what evidence is there that is letter is genuine..
-
Is there any evidence either way - just like other things in this case ?
-
Is there any evidence either way - just like other things in this case ?
if there is no evidence then it is valid to dismiss it
-
An interesting article. Maybe this cop was waiting until his retirement before going public with his views.
Even now nearly eight years on however, no investigator has got to the truth of what happened to Madeleine that fateful evening.
-
An interesting article. Maybe this cop was waiting until his retirement before going public with his views.
Even now nearly eight years on however, no investigator has got to the truth of what happened to Madeleine that fateful evening.
maybe this cop doesn't exist
-
maybe this cop doesn't exist
IMO the letter was penned by a source close to the Portuguese investigation.
-
IMO the letter was penned by a source close to the Portuguese investigation.
the style is familiar..."God’s windmills move slowly" does not sound like a german policeman
-
I don't know what to make of this Faith. I really don't. I do support Amaral in his fight against the McCanns, due to my belief in Freedom of expression. However, his theory has never been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
I also wonder why he waits until now to come out of the , where ever it is he has been hiding these feelings, to support Amaral. Was he there on that night, as a guest? witness?...just seems strange to me. I also had a feeling there was a subiminal message there somewhere...
It's strange because the article seems confused. It refers to Amaral as 'disgraced', but the story is about another person 'joining the legions' who support him. Having referred to Amaral as 'disgraced' the article then says 'the truth is that Gonçalo Amaral has been fighting for his professional credibility in an arena bereft of mainstream support'. That's not a quote, it's being said by the writer of the article. Is the inference that he won't be disgraced any longer if he wins the defamation trial?
-
It's strange because the article seems confused. It refers to Amaral as 'disgraced', but the story is about another person 'joining the legions' who support him. Having referred to Amaral as 'disgraced' the article then says 'the truth is that Gonçalo Amaral has been fighting for his professional credibility in an arena bereft of mainstream support'. That's not a quote, it's being said by the writer of the article. Is the inference that he won't be disgraced any longer if he wins the defamation trial?
"joining the legions of people supporting him" still tickles me. What sort of a journalist is this Natasha Donn? Let's have some evidence that this ex-cop actually exists - like some German national newspaper article of a high profile case he cracked.
-
What a hoot - all the old predictables coming out to diss it, bang on cue @)(++(*
And before you ask, I have no idea about its reliability, it is merely a newspaper article.
-
He claims the case is unique in that the Portuguese government “has allowed itself to be pushed around” by Britain, currently conducting the “Operation Grange” investigation into Madeleine’s almost eight-year-old disappearance.
“The way this case has been handled is particularly unique because your conclusions differed from those of the British government,” he told Amaral, stressing his “exasperation” at seeing a fellow policeman’s work “denigrated”.
Erm... It reads like a late-80s puff-piece. LOL
Amaral's conclusions differed from those of the PJ team that took over from him, the UK police (particularly concerning the DNA), the Portuguese AG, the subsequent UK and PJ reviews and the independent (re)opening of the case.
-
What a hoot - all the old predictables coming out to diss it, bang on cue @)(++(*
And before you ask, I have no idea about its reliability, it is merely a newspaper article.
Hmm...seems even some of the "sceptics" are sceptical though, bet you didn't predict that!
-
What a hoot - all the old predictables coming out to diss it, bang on cue @)(++(*
And before you ask, I have no idea about its reliability, it is merely a newspaper article.
A newspaper article from a Rag that refuses to divulge it's source for legal reasons.
-
What a hoot - all the old predictables coming out to diss it, bang on cue @)(++(*
And before you ask, I have no idea about its reliability, it is merely a newspaper article.
Hardly surprising though. Go on, be honest ;)
An alleged German police investigator writes an email a hand-written letter to an English-speaking rag, eight years after the event, who claims to have been in PdL on the day, but who doesn't appear to have given a statement, is providing an expert view, but whose credentials can't be revealed, on a case that he doesn't appear to know much about...
And this is supposed to be taken seriously?
-
What a hoot - all the old predictables coming out to diss it, bang on cue @)(++(*
And before you ask, I have no idea about its reliability, it is merely a newspaper article.
That's just it Jassi, ONE newspaper. The author of the article being a member of a sceptic site. Odd it's not in CM, as is the norm, for something so against the McCanns.
My opinion of the article, is that it has been penned by an ex detective, yes. But not a German one!
-
Hardly surprising though. Go on, be honest ;)
An alleged German police investigator writes an email to an English-speaking rag, eight years after the event, who claims to have been in PdL on the day, but who doesn't appear to have given a statement, is providing an expert view, but whose credentials can't be revealed, on a case that he doesn't appear to know much about...
And this is supposed to be taken seriously?
Who Allegedly, doesn't speak English.
-
Who Allegedly, doesn't speak English.
It doesn't actually say that the email hand-written letter was in English. It may have been sent in fluent Portuguese...
-
A newspaper article from a Rag that refuses to divulge it's source for legal reasons.
It does, though. It names the "police officer" in question... but not the highlights of his illustrious career.
Odd that...
-
It doesn't actually say that the email was in English. It may have been sent in fluent Portuguese...
How unusual for a German professional to not speak any English. &%+((£
In Holland even the wrapper ups in the Fish and Chip shop speak perfect English ... and the Germans are very similar with their English skills
-
It doesn't actually say that the email was in English. It may have been sent in fluent Portuguese...
You would have thought they would have shown the original too, wouldn't you? Whatever language it was in.
-
Perhaps Natasha has kept the envelope with the postmark on it. She could arrange a handwriting & fingerprint analysis.
-
Perhaps Natasha has kept the envelope with the postmark on it. She could arrange a handwriting & fingerprint analysis.
@)(++(*
-
How unusual for a German professional to not speak any English. &%+((£
In Holland even the wrapper ups in the Fish and Chip shop speak perfect English ... and the Germans are very similar with their English skills
Angela Merkel
-
Angela Merkel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGZWR5S1lCo
-
Oooops! Just testing @)(++(*
-
Oooops! Just testing @)(++(*
I disagree
-
I think you would disagree with your own reflection in a mirror @)(++(*
-
I think you would disagree with your own reflection in a mirror @)(++(*
hehehehehe good point
-
if there is no evidence then it is valid to dismiss it
Is that your general opinion?
-
Is that your general opinion?
yes..and as for your next question
.... there is evidence to support it
-
OK ... where are with this exclusive Donn report ??
I see no-one appears to be commenting. So I can take it this is just another puerile smear job on the McCanns like so many that have gone before and no doubt the many still to come ?
-
OK ... where are with this exclusive Donn report ??
I see no-one appears to be commenting. So I can take it this is just another puerile smear job on the McCanns like so many that have gone before and no doubt the many still to come ?
I suppose what you are doing is called ' laying the groundwork' is it Brietta ?
-
I suppose what you are doing is called ' laying the groundwork' is it Brietta ?
Laying the groundwork for what?
Either he exists and sent a communication.
Or he does not exist and ...
It may be considered that you laid the groundwork for this thread ... so maybe you can inform us of the veracity of the situation.
-
Laying the groundwork for what?
Either he exists and sent a communication.
Or he does not exist and ...
It may be considered that you laid the groundwork for this thread ... so maybe you can inform us of the veracity of the situation.
Only time will tell on that one Brietta.
-
I'm a bit disappointed with Natasha Donn. I think that's she's capable of more than puff pieces.
Was this pro bono? If not, who paid for her to write that and for what purpose?
-
I'm a bit disappointed with Natasha Donn. I think that's she's capable of more than puff pieces.
Was this pro bono? If not, who paid for her to write that and for what purpose?
Perhaps she wrote it because it was the truth ? Too far-fetched ?
-
Perhaps she wrote it because it was the truth ? Too far-fetched ?
It's the puff style that intrigues me more than the content...
-
It's the puff style that intrigues me more than the content...
Why ?
-
OK ... where are with this exclusive Donn report ??
I see no-one appears to be commenting. So I can take it this is just another puerile smear job on the McCanns like so many that have gone before and no doubt the many still to come ?
Yep, a report suddenly appearing out of nowhere ... now ... at this late date
Why wasn't it written at the time?
-
Why ?
Because it come across to me as a puff piece...
-
Because it come across to me as a puff piece...
No worse than the efforts of Lorraine Kelly I'm sure you'll agree ?
-
I can't find a thing in the German press on the ex-cop's support for GA. The case is big enough in Germany to warrant a few column inches.
I wonder who translated the files into German for him?
-
No worse than the efforts of Lorraine Kelly I'm sure you'll agree ?
none of this is of the slightest importance...the mcCanns are not suspects...soon hopefully we will learn what SY have found...may be nothing ...may be something...no one on here knows...we will have the result of the libel trial...sonias documentary...
most importantly...what SY have found..... for most of us there will be some kind of closure....but the McCanns will never give up hope
-
I can't find a thing in the German press on the ex-cop's support for GA. The case is big enough in Germany to warrant a few column inches.
I wonder who translated the files into German for him?
Anna Esse?
-
Anna Esse?
Having now been on Google Germany, the PJ files available to us are all available translated into German. They are also on Google Holland translated into Dutch.
I presume that was all done by auto-translate. No wonder the McCanns had to go back to the beginning & have everything properly translated.
-
Having now been on Google Germany, the PJ files available to us are all available translated into German. They are also on Google Holland translated into Dutch.
I presume that was all done by auto-translate. No wonder the McCanns had to go back to the beginning & have everything properly translated.
That would give double Dutch a whole new meaning...
-
I can't find a thing in the German press on the ex-cop's support for GA. The case is big enough in Germany to warrant a few column inches.
I wonder who translated the files into German for him?
Is there any indication anywhere that this man actually is a police officer? If he exists whether he is a retired police officer or no, I would be interested in the reason for his communication at this stage.
PDL is a popular holiday venue for Germans too and you did mention the German speaking men who feature in Madeleine's case.
-
Having now been on Google Germany, the PJ files available to us are all available translated into German. They are also on Google Holland translated into Dutch.
I presume that was all done by auto-translate. No wonder the McCanns had to go back to the beginning & have everything properly translated.
Why do you assume that it was done by auto-translate? Why haven't the McCanns put their "correct" translation on internet so that everything can be "properly" informed?
-
Why do you assume that it was done by auto-translate? Why haven't the McCanns put their "correct" translation on internet so that everything can be "properly" informed?
What, are you condoning paying German & Dutch translators out of the fund?
-
Why do you assume that it was done by auto-translate? Why haven't the McCanns put their "correct" translation on internet so that everything can be "properly" informed?
They probably don't think armchair detectives are any use ... I'm sure they are content to let the appropriate authorities get on with their job, using accurate translations.
Speaking of which ... is the German detective a figment of someone's fertile maybe even febrile imagination ... and why would anyone do that?
-
Is there any indication anywhere that this man actually is a police officer? If he exists whether he is a retired police officer or no, I would be interested in the reason for his communication at this stage.
PDL is a popular holiday venue for Germans too and you did mention the German speaking men who feature in Madeleine's case.
I can't find any reference to his name other than in this recent press article. Maybe Ulrich Merz is not his full name, perhaps it is a pseudonym, who knows?
Like you, I'd lay better odds on the letter coming from a bored prisoner in Evora.
-
I can't find any reference to his name other than in this recent press article. Maybe Ulrich Merz is not his full name, perhaps it is a pseudonym, who knows?
Like you, I'd lay better odds on the letter coming from a bored prisoner in Evora.
LOL ... I imagine it will pass the time for him, nothing much else going on for him at the moment I expect.