So where was Smithman going to that night?

[Brietta]

We have two e-fits supposedly both attributable to the 'Irish family' ie the Smiths, but why oh why are they so different if they are supposed to represent the same man?

Surely the one on the left could never in a millon years be taken for GM?

Could the more defined one perhaps be an enhanced version of the original using better software, John?

I think many things such as the eyebrows and hair look similar.

What has always concerned me a bit about these images both of which seem to be very detailed, is that Mr Smith stated that the lighting was poor which meant he couldn't really see the features to that extent.

— Regarding the description of the individual who carried the child he states that: he was Caucasian, around 175 to 180m in height. He appeared to be about 35/40 years old. He had an average build, a bit on the thin side. His hair was short, in a basic male cut, brown in colour. He cannot state if it was dark or lighter in tone. He did not wear glasses and had no beard or moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details partly due to the fact that the lighting was not very good.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/MARTIN_SMITH.htm

His son, Peter did not give a clear description because he could not ~ again the lighting was a factor.
That leaves his daughter, Aoife, who perhaps had a better view although not as close as her family.

Jane Tanner was unable to give a facial description of the individual she saw partly because of the lighting conditions.

[Angelo222]

Could the more defined one perhaps be an enhanced version of the original using better software, John?

I think many things such as the eyebrows and hair look similar.

What has always concerned me a bit about these images both of which seem to be very detailed, is that Mr Smith stated that the lighting was poor which meant he couldn't really see the features to that extent.

? Regarding the description of the individual who carried the child he states that: he was Caucasian, around 175 to 180m in height. He appeared to be about 35/40 years old. He had an average build, a bit on the thin side. His hair was short, in a basic male cut, brown in colour. He cannot state if it was dark or lighter in tone. He did not wear glasses and had no beard or moustache. He did not notice any other relevant details partly due to the fact that the lighting was not very good.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/MARTIN_SMITH.htm

His son, Peter did not give a clear description because he could not ~ again the lighting was a factor.
That leaves his daughter, Aoife, who perhaps had a better view although not as close as her family.

Jane Tanner was unable to give a facial description of the individual she saw partly because of the lighting conditions.

Both Peter and then Martin encountered Smithman at a point which is particularly gloomy since it was not lit by a streetlight.  Aoife on the other hand got a good view of him 2 metres away when she was stood at the top of the steps and directly under a street lamp.  She didn't think it was Gerry.

[Angelo222]

No doubt that is why Mr Smith was convinced of what he had seen when he viewed the footage of Gerry coming down the aircraft steps.

[Mr Gray]

No doubt that is why Mr Smith was convinced of what he had seen when he viewed the footage of Gerry coming down the aircraft steps.

didn't mr smith say it was dark and he didn't get a good look at his face....he made this efit AFTER he had seen Gerry repeatedly on tv and in newspapers...if he had made it BEFORE he had seen Gerrys face that would be completely differrent

[Mr Gray]

Both Peter and then Martin encountered Smithman at a point which is particularly gloomy since it was not lit by a streetlight.  Aoife on the other hand got a good view of him 2 metres away when she was stood at the top of the steps and directly under a street lamp.  She didn't think it was Gerry.

so the only member who got a good look did not think it was Gerry but those who had a poor view originally thought it might be Gerry.....it obviously wasn't gerry

[icabodcrane]

so the only member who got a good look did not think it was Gerry but those who had a poor view originally thought it might be Gerry.....it obviously wasn't gerry

Where and when has  any  member of the Smith family said ;

"The man I saw that night was NOT Gerry McCann"  ?

You see,  being unable to say, one way or the other,   whether it was Gerry they saw that night or not  is  not the same as  saying  "it was not Gerry McCann"

Has any member of the Smith family ever said that  ?  ...  said that they know, without doubt, that it was not Gerry McCann that passed them  ?

[Mr Gray]

Where and when has  any  member of the Smith family said ;

"The man I saw that night was NOT Gerry McCann"  ?

You see,  being unable to say, one way or the other,   whether it was Gerry they saw that night or not  is  not the same as  saying  "it was not Gerry McCann"

Has any member of the Smith family ever said that  ?  ...  said that they know, without doubt, that it was not Gerry McCann that passed them  ?

angelo posted that aoifee didnt think it was gerry...no..none of the smiths have said it definitely wasnt gerry...

there seems to have been invented a completely new legal system for this case where the accused has to prove they are innocent,.....not beyond reasonable doubt..but definitely. Thr hounding of the mccanns to this extent is disgraceful and you and others should be ashamed of yourselves..

[Benice]

angelo posted that aoifee didnt think it was gerry...no..none of the smiths have said it definitely wasnt gerry...

there seems to have been invented a completely new legal system for this case where the accused has to prove they are innocent,.....not beyond reasonable doubt..but definitely. Thr hounding of the mccanns to this extent is disgraceful and you and others should be ashamed of yourselves..

I agree.   What could be more crystal clear than Mr Smith saying that after talking to the other family members the only person who agreed with him that it might have been Gerry they saw was his wife.   There is absolutely nothing remotely ambiguous or vague about that statement.    The only other family member who agreed with him was his wife.   Full stop.

[slartibartfast]

I agree.   What could be more crystal clear than Mr Smith saying that after talking to the other family members the only person who agreed with him that it might have been Gerry they saw was his wife.   There is absolutely nothing remotely ambiguous or vague about that statement.    The only other family member who agreed with him was his wife.   Full stop.

So we have to assume the others weren't sure.

[pathfinder73]

I agree.   What could be more crystal clear than Mr Smith saying that after talking to the other family members the only person who agreed with him that it might have been Gerry they saw was his wife.   There is absolutely nothing remotely ambiguous or vague about that statement.    The only other family member who agreed with him was his wife.   Full stop.

What the same wife agreed that was close enough to ask him, 'Oh is she asleep?'

[Alfred R Jones]

What the same wife agreed that was close enough to ask him, 'Oh is she asleep?'

Seeing as how it's ok to pick on every little thing the McCanns say or do and say it's odd behaviour, I would like to suggest that it was an odd thing for her to say to a complete stranger carrying an apparently sleeping child passing in the street.  Why did she feel the need to ask such a question, as they moved past each other?  I can't imagine doing such a thing myself hence it probably didn't happen (using doubter logic here).

[Benice]

So we have to assume the others weren't sure.

Only if you're desperate for them not to be imo.   Most normal people would take it from Smith's statement that they simply didn't agree with him that Gerry may have been the man they saw on the 3rd.   Martin Smith is the only one who wasn't sure.   If he was -  he would have said 100% not 60 to 80%.   

[Mr Gray]

So we have to assume the others weren't sure.

how couldthey be sure if the light was dim and they didnt see his face clearly///as SY have said gerry is not a suspect then they seeem sure

[Mr Gray]

We already know who Mr. Smith thought the man probably was.

Invariably, first instincts are CORRECT.

first instincts...have yoy been following the case...how many months did it take him to report it to the police

[stephen25000]

first instincts...have yoy been following the case...how many months did it take him to report it to the police

I see I have hit home, as usual.