Why Aren't the McCanns Giving Evidence at their Libel Trial ?

[faithlilly]

Why, when the McCanns are the individuals best placed to describe the damage done to their family, the search and their reputation, are neither of them taking the witness stand ?

Surely emotive, firsthand testimony would have had a much greater impact than the second-hand, hearsay evidence we have seen already ?

[Redblossom]

Why, when the McCanns are the individuals best placed to describe the damage done to their family, the search and their reputation, are neither of them taking the witness stand ?

Surely emotive, firsthand testimony would have had a much greater impact than the second-hand, hearsay evidence we have seen already ?

Good question...seems awfully surreal at best.....

[Mr Gray]

Why, when the McCanns are the individuals best placed to describe the damage done to their family, the search and their reputation, are neither of them taking the witness stand ?

Surely emotive, firsthand testimony would have had a much greater impact than the second-hand, hearsay evidence we have seen already ?

Both Kate and Gerry are still terribly scarred by the abduction and loss of Madeleine. have you seen what barristers do to witnesses. Plus....they don't have to ...their case is strong enough...plus I don't think amaral is taking the stand either

[faithlilly]

Good question...seems awfully surreal at best.....

Absolutely Red, especially as the witnesses they have called's evidence has seemed to have been not only weak but coloured by subjective opinion borne out by not one iota of statistical data.

[icabodcrane]

Witnesses who give  'hearsay'  testimony might be relating something untruthful  ...  but if,   as far as they are aware,  they are relating the truth,  then  no charge of perjury can be brought  (  they are merely reporting what someone else claimed to be the truth  ) 

Therefore,  as  you suggest,  hearsay testimony is of little evidential value   

It is no real surprise though,  the McCanns have always employed others to speak on their behalf   

[Redblossom]

Absolutely Red, especially as the witnesses they have called's evidence has seemed to have been not only weak but coloured by subjective opinion borne out by not one iota of statistical data.

Quite

Not to mention false imaginings....Emma Loach said when asked if the  book was published in England she said she saw it in the shops Lol...got  to run, laters

[Carana]

Does anyone know if Amaral will be testifying?

[icabodcrane]

Does anyone know if Amaral will be testifying?

I'm not sure I see the relevance of the question Carana,  in the context of this thread

The point has been made that the witnesses produced by the McCanns have spoken about the devastation and anguish  they   (  the McCanns )  suffered as a result of Amaral's book

The truth is,  of course,  that no-one can adequately express the feelings experienced by others,  and,  therefore,   had the McCanns described their own emotional reactions  (  rather than have someone else do it for them  )  the testimony would be bound to have more relevance and impact

You must agree with that,  surely  ? 

[Mr Gray]

I'm not sure I see the relevance of the question Carana,  in the context of this thread

The point has been made that the witnesses produced by the McCanns have spoken about the devastation and anguish  they   (  the McCanns )  suffered as a result of Amaral's book

The truth is,  of course,  that no-one can adequately express the feelings experienced by others,  and,  therefore,   had the McCanns described their own emotional reactions  (  rather than have someone else do it for them  )  the testimony would be bound to have more relevance and impact

You must agree with that,  surely  ?

I would agree 100% with that statement ..but
it would be too traumatic
They obviously feel they don't need to
simple

[Redblossom]

Traumatised after 6 and a half years?
In their own wordas they have moved on and lead a normal life and are content and happy

They had no problem giving evidence in leveson, or the  parliamentary committee, or speaking at the eu, or speaking at lawyers conferences, or making documentaries, sitting on gmtv and sky and oprah sofas, giving endless *defiant* interviews and the rest, purleeese, dont play that defunct too weak to give evidence card, its lame as is bringing in mates family and others to speak for them when they havent a clue really what they were talking about and / or was so irrelvant

[icabodcrane]

Traumatised after 6 and a half years?
In their own wordas they have moved on and lead a normal life and are content and happy

They had no problem giving evidence in leveson, or the  parliamentary committee, or speaking at the eu, or speaking at lawyers conferences, or making documentaries, sitting on gmtv and sky and oprah sofas, giving endless *defiant* interviews and the rest, purleeese, dont play that defunct too weak to give evidence card, its lame as is bringing in mates family and others to speak for them when they havent a clue really what they were talking about and / or was so irrelvant

You make an excellent point there,  Red

[Mr Gray]

Traumatised after 6 and a half years?
In their own wordas they have moved on and lead a normal life and are content and happy

They had no problem giving evidence in leveson, or the  parliamentary committee, or speaking at the eu, or speaking at lawyers conferences, or making documentaries, sitting on gmtv and sky and oprah sofas, giving endless *defiant* interviews and the rest, purleeese, dont play that defunct too weak to give evidence card, its lame as is bringing in mates family and others to speak for them when they havent a clue really what they were talking about and / or was so irrelvant

Who was it who said in the last couple of days.."Kate looks more fragile than ever"
Seen weeping in court
Leveson setc were on the side, they were treated gently. Obviously you have no knowledge of adversarial court proceedings. You just cant bear to accept something that is so obvious

[stephen25000]

Who was it who said in the last couple of days.."Kate looks more fragile than ever"
Seen weeping in court
Leveson setc were on the side, they were treated gently. Obviously you have no knowledge of adversarial court proceedings. You just cant bear to accept something that is so obvious

'Leveson setc were on the side'

Leverson was supposed to be impartial.  >@@(*&)

[Lyall]

Who was it who said in the last couple of days.."Kate looks more fragile than ever"
Seen weeping in court
Leveson setc were on the side, they were treated gently. Obviously you have no knowledge of adversarial court proceedings. You just cant bear to accept something that is so obvious

What's obvious davel?

[Mr Gray]

'Leveson setc were on the side'

Leverson was supposed to be impartial.  >@@(*&)

ie they were shown sympathy..it was not adversarial