Would an amnesty in the Madeleine case bring forth a conclusion?

[Wonderfulspam]

He was just there in order to open the shutters and window.

 

[VIXTE]

Oh, there is nothing there to say I don't believe in it. Just being realistic about how information is gathered. Information could be gathered in all sorts of ways in order to see justice served in the end.

As to exactly how much information is gathered through official amnesties, I don't know.

At what time this would be? Matt Oldfield at 9.30-9.40 did not notice an open window..

[Sherlock Holmes]

Somehow in drug, arms traffic and Mafia matters, but not in ordinary criminal cases.

How do you know? Is there a written rule on this?

Much information on criminals comes from criminals themselves. Very obvious, as Estuarine says.

[AnneGuedes]

How do you know? Is there a written rule on this?

Much information on criminals comes from criminals themselves. Very obvious, as Estuarine says.

Lots of crimes are committed by individuals who have no record. Even serial killers are solitary guys.

[Robittybob1]

The man's destination was not to the clinic for treatment, nor to the chinese restaurant a few doors away for a meal, because both destinations are easily disproven by observing the man's course across the junction. Look at the map in the files which marks exactly where witness AS saw him.

IMO he was simply walking at normal speed, carrying his own daughter, most probably towards his home or holiday accommodation. And no degree in rocket propulsion is needed to deduce he was a non-english-speaker.

So if your view is his actions are innocent and uninvolved you would agree for an amnesty for Smithman too wouldn't you?  It would still require him telling the truth, like if he was to make up a story it would still have to hold true.  It would need to be truth for amnesty not amnesty for lying.  The trade off has to be for truth.

[jassi]

So if you view his actions as innocent and uninvolved you would agree for an amnesty for Smithman too wouldn't you?  It would still require him telling the truth, like if he was to make up a story it would still have to hold true.  It would be truth for amnesty not amnesty for lying.  The trade off has to be truth.

If he is innocent of involvement, then he doesn't need an amnesty.

[John]

So if your view is his actions are innocent and uninvolved you would agree for an amnesty for Smithman too wouldn't you?  It would still require him telling the truth, like if he was to make up a story it would still have to hold true.  It would need to be truth for amnesty not amnesty for lying.  The trade off has to be for truth.

Smithman is key to the Madeleine McCann investigation.  Scotland Yard should have put much more effort and resources into indentifying him.  At least then we would have a better idea of what really happened instead of chasing a ghost for 9 years.

[Robittybob1]

Smithman is key to the Madeleine McCann investigation.  Scotland Yard should have put much more effort and resources into indentifying him.  At least then we would have a better idea of what really happened instead of chasing a ghost for 9 years.

But do you think an amnesty would bring him out?

[ShiningInLuz]

But do you think an amnesty would bring him out?

Amnesty from what?

If he is guilty, he is guilty, so no amnesty.

If he is innocent, he is innocent, so no amnesty.

[Robittybob1]

Amnesty from what?

If he is guilty, he is guilty, so no amnesty.

If he is innocent, he is innocent, so no amnesty.

an amnesty from prosecution.
If he is guilty, he is guilty, so won't come forward.
If he is innocent, he is innocent, but will be worried about being prosecuted.
At least we will get closure.

[John]

But do you think an amnesty would bring him out?

As it stands there appears little likelihood of this case being solved so anything which can bring closure for Madeleine's parents is to be welcomed.  If there was a third party involvement in the disappearance and she is dead then her parents deserve to know.  Anything which can resolve this situation should be pursued.

Scotland Yard are looking for someone to prosecute so that they can justify their existence. The reward being offered by them is confirmation of this.  No reward is on offer for Madeleine's return, I find that quite appalling.

As for an amnesty, that is a matter for the Portuguese authorities.

[Carana]

As it stands there appears little likelihood of this case being solved so anything which can bring closure for Madeleine's parents is to be welcomed.  If there was a third party involvement in the disappearance and she is dead then her parents deserve to know.  Anything which can resolve this situation should be pursued.

Scotland Yard are looking for someone to prosecute so that they can justify their existence. The reward being offered by them is confirmation of this.  No reward is on offer for Madeleine's return, I find that quite appalling.

As for an amnesty, that is a matter for the Portuguese authorities.

I've no idea whether the concept exists in PT. I've been through numerous versions of the ever-changing penal process code and have never come across a provision to that effect. On the other hand, perhaps it is deliberately glossed over. Police informants must be a major source of intelligence in any country, I would have thought.

[John]

I've no idea whether the concept exists in PT. I've been through numerous versions of the ever-changing penal process code and have never come across a provision to that effect. On the other hand, perhaps it is deliberately glossed over. Police informants must be a major source of intelligence in any country, I would have thought.

Absolutely, without informants many a case would never touch base.  My own feeling in the Madeleine case is that the Portuguese police and the AG have lost interest and are merely treading water.  They should be encouraged to offer anything which could bring closure to this mystery.

If someone did provide information they could do it anonymously without fear of being at the centre of the media storm which would inevitably follow.

[Carana]

an amnesty from prosecution.
If he is guilty, he is guilty, so won't come forward.
If he is innocent, he is innocent, but will be worried about being prosecuted.
At least we will get closure.

I don't see it as binary as that.

Guilty of what? Smithman could be an innocent male relative / family friend with unrelated reasons to keep out of the spotlight, whether of an illicit or simply awkward nature.

If, for example, Smithman had been carrying the daughter of his mistress and couldn't be assured of confidientiality in view of the cosy relationship between the police and the tabloids. What then?

Or his working papers may not have been in order, with a family to support. What then?

Or... he may quite innocently not have realised that he may be the person the police are seeking to question.

Or, perhaps he did come forward and his statement got lost somewhere in the mounds of paperwork and has since been eliminated.

I don't find it clear whether the remaining unresolved lead according to recent media reports concerns Smithman or Smellyman, nor whether there is a suspicion that they could be the same person, or possibly an associate.

[Alfie]

As it stands there appears little likelihood of this case being solved so anything which can bring closure for Madeleine's parents is to be welcomed.  If there was a third party involvement in the disappearance and she is dead then her parents deserve to know.  Anything which can resolve this situation should be pursued.

Scotland Yard are looking for someone to prosecute so that they can justify their existence. The reward being offered by them is confirmation of this.  No reward is on offer for Madeleine's return, I find that quite appalling.

As for an amnesty, that is a matter for the Portuguese authorities.

Absurd statement.  Scotland Yard has no power to prosecute anyone in this case.