Witnesses claimed to have seen Robert Murat the night Maddie disappeared.

[misty]

That was on the morning of the 4th May.

"I think this was my first meeting with Robert MURAT when he was, in my eyes, being very helpful you know liaising with the Police, translating with the Police, offering, offering consolation along with other people, he wasn’t the only person, you know being a supportive member of the public." (ROB)

No police saw him there that night. He was present with them the next morning on the 4th May.

Did ROB state that he was at any time in front of the McCann apartment with the PJ or anyone else that night?

[pathfinder73]

Did ROB state that he was at any time in front of the McCann apartment with the PJ or anyone else that night?

How could Russell and Fiona see Murat with the police that night when not one policeman saw him? Explain? There's an alternative. They could be getting confused with the morning of the 4th when Murat was with the police.

[mercury]

FP's husband was not present at the time. Please provide the cite showing DP said FP was mistaken.

Neither of them could definitely say they saw Murat that night, though they did, but then backtracked and said couldn't be definite

FP only identified him  by his "squint" as if he was the only person in PDL to have one, hey? she couldn't remember the name he gave when he introduced himself that night but she recognised hm when he appeared n the telly after being made arguido

DP is more sure it was Friday morning he met Murat, same with ROB IIRC which fits the facts
Not very reliable witnesses for Murat "being there that night" are they? You do have to wonder how so many got it so wrong

By the way Misty you do know Ferryman started this thread allegedly in order to paint  Mr Murat in a good light, I thought that was so very thoughtful and kind of him lol!! Catch you later!

[misty]

How could Russell and Fiona see Murat with the police that night when not one policeman saw him? Explain? There's a credible alternative. They are getting confused with the morning of the 4th when Murat was with the police. Simples.

So FP can be confused, but the GNR officers who saw many folk that night & a lot of RM over the coming days couldn't have been confused?

[slartibartfast]

So FP can be confused, but the GNR officers who saw many folk that night & a lot of RM over the coming days couldn't have been confused?

A) RM had an alibi
B) he said he wasn't there
C) the GNR said he wasn't there
D) one witness says he was

To continue with this is going to need some deletes.

[John]

This thread has been merged into the original topic.

Having read through the original posts I can see that there was every opportunity for misidentification in the darkness especially when there were men there that night who could have been mistaken for Robert Murat.

The other point which is worth mentioning is that Murat heard the police sirens and surely would have wondered what on earth was going on so close to his own home.  Did he possibly pop out for a nosey?  Question is however, why deny it, there was no reason for doing so?

[Benice]

This thread has been merged into the original topic.

Having read through the original posts I can see that there was every opportunity for misidentification in the darkness especially when there were men there that night who could have been mistaken for Robert Murat.

The other point which is worth mentioning is that Murat heard the police sirens and surely would have wondered what on earth was going on so close to his own home.  Did he possibly pop out for a nosey?  Question is however, why deny it, there was no reason for doing so?

[/b]

Maybe being hauled in by the police and knowing about the 'robust' questioning techniques of the PJ - he simply panicked.     His mother was also well aware that locals could be too scared  to come forward -  and for similar reasons - which is why she set out a 'table' for those locals to anonymously leave any info they had.

[faithlilly]

[/b]

Maybe being hauled in by the police and knowing about the 'robust' questioning techniques of the PJ - he simply panicked.     His mother was also well aware that locals could be too scared  to come forward -  and for similar reasons - which is why she set out a 'table' for those locals to anonymously leave any info they had.

Which still leaves the question why did no one who knew him say he was there that night ?

[mercury]

Which still leaves the question why did no one who knew him say he was there that night ?

THAT is the only relevant question here, they didn't, ergo he wasn't there, from the mouths of reliable and relevant witnesses not a medley of all sorts who knew nothing about anything

[misty]

Which still leaves the question why did no one who knew him say he was there that night ?

How many of the OC staff or holidaymakers would have known who he was? He had lived in the UK for years, only returning to Luz in 2005 and had spent much of his time from Sept 2006 to May 2007 in the UK.
Sylvia Batista said she had known the Murat family for over 30 years but she didn't know of Robert's existence.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/SILVIA_BATISTA.htm
*snipped*
SECOND PAGE BATISTA
 She's here as a witness. She is responsible for maintenance in the Ocean Club Resort located in Praia da Luz - Lagos. Because of her profession she knows many people of the English community, who live in Praia da Luz.
 She knows the Murat (sic !) family, who has been there for about 30 years. In particular Mr. Murat and his wife Jenny. Mr. Murat was linked to building business and development of tourism enterprises, in Salema in her opinion. Mr. Murat died some years ago.
 The Murat live in a house named "casa Liliana", near the Ocean Club.
 Asked, she said not to remember whether the Murats have any child.

[faithlilly]

How many of the OC staff or holidaymakers would have known who he was? He had lived in the UK for years, only returning to Luz in 2005 and had spent much of his time from Sept 2006 to May 2007 in the UK.
Sylvia Batista said she had known the Murat family for over 30 years but she didn't know of Robert's existence.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/SILVIA_BATISTA.htm
*snipped*
SECOND PAGE BATISTA
 She's here as a witness. She is responsible for maintenance in the Ocean Club Resort located in Praia da Luz - Lagos. Because of her profession she knows many people of the English community, who live in Praia da Luz.
 She knows the Murat (sic !) family, who has been there for about 30 years. In particular Mr. Murat and his wife Jenny. Mr. Murat was linked to building business and development of tourism enterprises, in Salema in her opinion. Mr. Murat died some years ago.
 The Murat live in a house named "casa Liliana", near the Ocean Club.
 Asked, she said not to remember whether the Murats have any child.

 I believe Murat was a regular police interpreter. Also Martin Smith, a regular holidaymaker in PDL, certainly knew Murat by sight so it would be safe to assume that many of the regular holidaymakers and expats did too.

[misty]

I believe Murat was a regular police interpreter. Also Martin Smith, a regular holidaymaker in PDL, certainly knew Murat by sight so it would be safe to assume that many of the regular holidaymakers and expats did too.

He had been an interpreter for Norfolk police, not the Portuguese.
Martin Smith was nowhere near 5a during the searches.
How many "regular holidaymakers" were in the vicinity that night who knew a man who'd barely been in Portugal or 15 years?
If he disappeared off home by 2340hrs, not many folk would have seen him during the night anyway.

[Benice]

Mrs Murat said the reason she set up her 'table' was because she realised some locals would be too scared to approach the police.  Why do you think they would be scared of getting involved with the police? 

 
 

[faithlilly]

He had been an interpreter for Norfolk police, not the Portuguese.
Martin Smith was nowhere near 5a during the searches.
How many "regular holidaymakers" were in the vicinity that night who knew a man who'd barely been in Portugal or 15 years?
If he disappeared off home by 2340hrs, not many folk would have seen him during the night anyway.

He was also a translator for the Portuguese police and translated several of the statements in this case. I mentioned Martin Smith because if he knew him then probably many of the expats and regular holidaymakers in PDL did.

[faithlilly]

Mrs Murat said the reason she set up her 'table' was because she realised some locals would be too scared to approach the police.  Why do you think they would be scared of getting involved with the police?

I suppose for the same reason as many people in the UK don't talk to the police after a serious incident.