What's more important? Finding Maddie or a conviction?

[Angelo222]

This question has bothered me recently so I am opening it up for discussion. 

What is more important, finding out what happened to Maddie and possibly getting her back or managing to convict someone for involvement in her abduction?

I ask this question because of a comment made on the reward thread, is it not better to know what happened to her regardless of any conviction?  An amnesty could be offered alongside a reward in a last attempt to get resolution.

Any takers??

[Eleanor]

Not really, No.  I think someone, or several, will be charged before there is any chance of finding out where she is.  And then I expect them to deny it.

One bloody fingerprint isn't going to prove anything.  "I was there, but I never done it."

[Angelo222]

Not really, No.  I think someone, or several, will be charged before there is any chance of finding out where she is.  And then I expect them to deny it.

One bloody fingerprint isn't going to prove anything.  "I was there, but I never done it."

If I was her parent i would be wanting her back safe and sound and to hell with any conviction.  Do you agree Eleanor?

[Benice]

This question has bothered me recently so I am opening it up for discussion. 

What is more important, finding out what happened to Maddie and possibly getting her back or managing to convict someone for involvement in her abduction?

I ask this question because of a comment made on the reward thread, is it not better to know what happened to her regardless of any conviction?  An amnesty could be offered alongside a reward in a last attempt to get resolution.

Any takers??

Definitely finding her IMO.    Any prosecutions which followed would just be a bonus IMO.  The McCanns need closure - one way or another.   The same goes for Ben Needham's family.   The 'not knowing' must be pure hell.

[Eleanor]

If I was her parent i would be wanting her back safe and sound and to hell with any conviction.  Do you agree Eleanor?

Too much assumption for me.  And too late now.  It wouldn't be for The McCanns to choose now.

However, if someone approached them secretly, heaven alone knows what they would decide to do.

[Brietta]

If I was her parent i would be wanting her back safe and sound and to hell with any conviction.  Do you agree Eleanor?

It isn't down to them ... it is down to due process.

I don’t think anyone is going to give Madeleine up even if they could or volunteer any information at all about what happened to her or who may have been involved. 

I think her best chance is in pursuing the criminals in this case as they would in any other, and hoping they uncover evidence in the process. 

I do not think anyone who knows anything will talk, for the simple reason that neither they nor their loved ones would be likely to enjoy spending a euro of any reward.  Omertà

[jassi]

All in all a depressing picture - no one talking , no likely conviction, no likely closure.

[stephen25000]

All in all a depressing picture - no one talking , no likely conviction, no likely closure.

..and SY are investigating a murder, well at least according to BHH.

[jassi]

..and SY are investigating a murder, well at least according to BHH.

I find their stance interesting considering that we have been told countless times that there is no evidence that Madeleine has come to any harm.

[stephen25000]

I find their stance interesting considering that we have been told countless times that there is no evidence that Madeleine has come to any harm.

Indeed. That cliche  has been trotted out so many times, it has become crass.

If Madeleine had come to no harm, she would not have disappeared in the first place.

[Benice]

I find their stance interesting considering that we have been told countless times that there is no evidence that Madeleine has come to any harm.

DCI Redwood acknowledged that Madeleine may be dead a long time ago. 

[jassi]

DCI Redwood acknowledged that Madeleine may be dead a long time ago.

So, either there is evidence that she is dead, or SY are basing their investigation on a hunch.

[Benice]

So, either there is evidence that she is dead, or SY are basing their investigation on a hunch.

No.  SY believe she was removed from 5A by a stranger.   For what purpose they do not know.   She could have been murdered or not been murdered.   That is what they are trying to find out.

[stephen25000]

No.  SY believe she was removed from 5A by a stranger.   For what purpose they do not know.   She could have been murdered or not been murdered.   That is what they are trying to find out.

A belief in not evidence, let alone proof of anything.


BHH said, in his 'slip', a murder investigation, then altered that as he realized what he let slip.

[Angelo222]

Definitely finding her IMO.    Any prosecutions which followed would just be a bonus IMO.  The McCanns need closure - one way or another.   The same goes for Ben Needham's family.   The 'not knowing' must be pure hell.

My sentiments for sure, that is why there has to be some unique thinking in this case and to date we haven't seen any.  Assuming for a moment she was abducted then someone knows about it but they won't come forward without some incentive.