Other witnesses cast doubt on Bundleman sighting?

[Sherlock Holmes]

If they lied to police it is a criminal offence in itself

More importantly ,  though,   it may have  jeopardised the investigation  ...which would surely be unthinkable,   whether they wanted to  'protect themselves'  or not

I'm not saying that withholding information is not serious.  But the reality is that 'decent' people break the law all the time, in all sorts of situations, if they convince themselves there is a good reason for it.

Not to make excuses for them, but T9 were under extreme stress, and probably not thinking completely clearly. Their fear for themselves and the trouble they may have got themselves into probably took over.

That's obviously completely irrational, because a big part of their trauma was caused by knowing that it could just as well have been one of their children to have gone missing, in which case they would have wanted the others to be as forthcoming as possible in an investigation. But we're irrational beings.

[Lyall]

Maybe they didn't tell the 'whole' truth, if that is so, because they sought to protect themselves...quite natural.

That's very different from a grand cover-up.

Quite natural? Equally natural for people to disbelieve their stories as well, because I think we all know there's a reason why they were, are and doubtless always be so silent.

[AnneGuedes]

I believe that I left the apartment around 20h30. I calculate that I met Gerry on the road between 20h45 and 21h15.

Isn't that marvellous !

[Sherlock Holmes]

Quite natural? Equally natural for people to disbelieve their stories as well, because I think we all know there's a reason why they were, are and doubtless always be so silent.

And they're doing well to have remained silent all this time..

[Redblossom]

maybe its just ME but the whole bunch knew about tanners sighting even writing it down in the handwritten timelines thing and not  going out to search in that direction? And why did any if them thnk we musnt tell gerry and kate incase it upsets them when they were already upset and KNEW their child  had bee taken.... Wouldnt kate and gerry have thought why the hell didnt you mention this  pdq???

Bizarre

[Luz]

Quite natural? Equally natural for people to disbelieve their stories as well, because I think we all know there's a reason why they were, are and doubtless always be so silent.

I don't think any of the Tapas 9 are evil persons, but I think they got caught into an evil situation. Once you start lying you get enthralled and it becomes more and more difficult to tell the truth.

I want to believe that Tapas 7 and the McCann became victims of their own fear and of the first lies they produced. But that doesn't excuse them, in particular the McCann, to destroy other people's lives.

[LagosBen]

And they're doing well to have remained silent all this time..

Don't you get that they were all "in on it" Sherlock? , <rolls eyes>

They did the sensible thing and tried to work out times, pinning them down to aid the Officers. Personally I would have been more suspicious if they had all matched and fitted perfectly.

[AnneGuedes]

I'm not saying that withholding information is not serious.  But the reality is that 'decent' people break the law all the time, in all sorts of situations, if they convince themselves there is a good reason for it.

Not to make excuses for them, but T9 were under extreme stress, and probably not thinking completely clearly. Their fear for themselves and the trouble they may have got themselves into probably took over.

That's obviously completely irrational, because a big part of their trauma was caused by knowing that it could just as well have been one of their children to have gone missing, in which case they would have wanted the others to be as forthcoming as possible in an investigation. But we're irrational beings.

I quite agree with this. But how can it be helped ? Because effectively an investigation was hampered, suspicions on the parents were differed and the result is a complete mess and total frustration.
I don't doubt that then (I wouldn't swear they still do) they believed the little girl was abducted, it could have been one of theirs and they were lucky (a motive to try to be helpful).

[Lyall]

And they're doing well to have remained silent all this time..

It must have been tough the first year but since 2008 who has asked them any questions other than us few online 'nutcases'?

It's a really bizarre case isn't it >@@(*&)

[AnneGuedes]

I don't think any of the Tapas 9 are evil persons, but I think they got caught into an evil situation. Once you start lying you get enthralled and it becomes more and more difficult to tell the truth.

I want to believe that Tapas 7 and the McCann became victims of their own fear and of the first lies they produced. But that doesn't excuse them, in particular the McCann, to destroy other people's lives.

It's the sorcerer's apprentice story.
I'm personally convinced that the origin of all this is a deny of reality (that I'm able to understand).

[AnneGuedes]

It must have been tough the first year but since 2008 who has asked them any questions other than us few online 'nutcases'?

The damages of saying all the truth are, they think, worse than keeping silent.
Up to now. Because they also have kids who will go on Internet.

[AnneGuedes]

why did any if them thnk we musnt tell gerry and kate incase it upsets them when they were already upset and KNEW their child  had bee taken.... Wouldnt kate and gerry have thought why the hell didnt you mention this  pdq???

Bizarre

This part I never understood.

[LagosBen]

The damages of saying the truth are, they think, worse than keeping silent.
Up to now. Because they also have kids that will go on Internet.

I do wonder exactly what makes some of you people tick !

Do you honestly think that a group of, not best or even close friends, (even  my best friends would not cover up a fatal accident or crime for me) would help cover up a serious crime accident or not? As you point out, risk their children finding out, risk their careers, risk their families turning against them? Come on use your brain. 8-)(--)

[Lyall]

I do wonder exactly what makes some of you people tick !

Do you honestly think that a group of, not best or even close friends, (even  my best friends would not cover up a fatal accident or crime for me) would help cover up a serious crime accident or not? As you point out, risk their children finding out, risk their careers, risk their families turning against them? Come on use your brain. 8-)(--)

So why were they so silent, and why are they still?

They said "we can't talk because of the secrecy laws", but after those no longer applied they still said nothing.

[carlymichelle]

So why were they so silent, and why are they still?

They said "we can't talk because of the secrecy laws", but after those no longer applied they still said nothing.

didnt one  say we havea pact etc we know what happned that night or something similer??