So what's next in the libel trial saga?

[Mr Gray]

In the Murat appeal case, the presumption of innocence was a point in his favour.

From what  I have read in the US the burden of proof would be on amaral...

also...why has amaral been desperately trying to justify his statements if he doesn't have to and the mccanns have made no attempt to prove their innocence

[stephen25000]

The default position of the mccanns is innocent so the allegation are false..

Nature of crime unknown dave.

So how does that absolve the mccanns, as nobody has been charged yet ?

[stephen25000]

From what  I have read in the US the burden of proof would be on amaral...

also...why has amaral been desperately trying to justify his statements if he doesn't have to and the mccanns have made no attempt to prove their innocence

Don't be so coy.

If the mccanns didn't conduct this action, then the attention  would still be on them.

[Eleanor]

Murat won his case on appeal, and there was no way that he could prove a negative in terms of the allegations against him.

Now, whether or not that was because he was suing a newspaper is a point that I haven't been able to clarify.

I think that this is an interesting point.  But in the case of The Libel Trial it was all published or Media stuff.

[Carana]

I think that this is an interesting point.  But in the case of The Libel Trial it was all published or Media stuff.

Yes, but that may depend on how the judge interprets media law. It's quite clear in terms of editors of periodicals and journalists.

Amaral isn't a journalist (according to the legal definition in the PT media law), and the publisher of the book isn't a periodical (in the sense of a newspaper that appears on a regular basis).

So.... dunno.

[Mr Gray]

If amaral had a decent chance of winning this trial he would be in court getting his life and Jag back on the road...he isn't...he's doing everything he can to delay the trial...he's toast and he knows it

[Montclair]

Yes, but that may depend on how the judge interprets media law. It's quite clear in terms of editors of periodicals and journalists.

Amaral isn't a journalist (according to the legal definition in the PT media law), and the publisher of the book isn't a periodical (in the sense of a newspaper that appears on a regular basis).

So.... dunno.

For anyone who read the press here in Portugal or watched the television reports at the time, Gonçalo Amaral's book offered no surprises. Everything in the book was already known to the general public. For those expecting revelations, it was a bit of a disappointment. The only advantage was that it was compact and easier to read, as one of the McCanns' witnesses said.

[stephen25000]

For anyone who read the press here in Portugal or watched the television reports at the time, Gonçalo Amaral's book offered no surprises. Everything in the book was already known to the general public. For those expecting revelations, it was a bit of a disappointment. The only advantage was that it was compact and easier to read, as one of the McCanns' witnesses said.

Precisely.

So why didn't the mccanns go for other targets ?

Answer, they thought he was easy prey.

[Mr Gray]

For anyone who read the press here in Portugal or watched the television reports at the time, Gonçalo Amaral's book offered no surprises. Everything in the book was already known to the general public. For those expecting revelations, it was a bit of a disappointment. The only advantage was that it was compact and easier to read, as one of the McCanns' witnesses said.

it was surprising he libelled the mccanns so blatantly...had he been a little smarter he could have worded it so as to suggest what he thought MIGHT have happened rather than accusing the mccanns outright...he wouldnt be in so much trouble then

[Carana]

For anyone who read the press here in Portugal or watched the television reports at the time, Gonçalo Amaral's book offered no surprises. Everything in the book was already known to the general public. For those expecting revelations, it was a bit of a disappointment. The only advantage was that it was compact and easier to read, as one of the McCanns' witnesses said.

How could that be when the book was launched only a few days after the legal summary and until then the investigation was under judicial secrecy?

[Mr Gray]

what lawyer will work for amaral when he hasn't paid his last one..will his last one sue him for the outstanding fees

[carlymichelle]

what lawyer will work for amaral when he hasn't paid his last one..will his last one sue him for the outstanding fees

ever heard  of pro bono dave  the mcanns had pro  bono lawyers did they not?

[stephen25000]

ever heard  of pro bono dave  the mcanns had pro  bono lawyers did they not?

He will have to google that one.

[carlymichelle]

He will have to google that one.

Still no answer

[Mr Gray]

ever heard  of pro bono dave  the mcanns had pro  bono lawyers did they not?

it seems amarals wasn't as he is complaining about not being paid