Alcohol and the Reliability of Statements

[ferryman]

They doubtless wouldn't have passed a roadside breathalizer, but none was driving.

Unlike (all to frequently) the man who was investigating them.  Often while way over the limit ...

[stephen25000]

They doubtless wouldn't have passed a roadside breathalizer, but none was driving.

Unlike (all to frequently) the man who was investigating them.  Often while way over the limit ...

So you have proof he was over the limit when investigating ?

What is the legal limit in Portugal ?

[Alice Purjorick]

Quite strange that the supporters claim that alcohol played no part in inconsistent statements. I would have thought it a good explanation.

But they been drinking within the bounds of "responsible alcohol consumption"; one of the baristas in the restaurant said so (allegedly)

[slartibartfast]

But they been drinking within the bounds of "responsible alcohol consumption"; one of the baristas in the restaurant said so (allegedly)

That's a bit like the barman in the last pub in the pub crawl saying they had only had one drink.

[Carana]

8 or 9 bottles divided by 9 = roughly a bottle each.

So, pissed they were then.

They certainly wouldn't be fit to drive anyways, & I wouldn't have them babysit.

It would be perfectly normal to serve 2 bottles of white and 2 bottles of red, plus water at a table of that size. Then, replace empty bottles, either automatically, or upon request.

Two- to- three dcl of wine over the course of a meal when you don't have to drive anywhere and you're staying next door doesn't seem excessive to me.

[Carana]

Quite strange that the supporters claim that alcohol played no part in inconsistent statements. I would have thought it a good explanation.

The statements were made on 4 May, starting relatively early. Many had been up all night in a state of panic.

Were all police officers sober on the morning of 4 May?

[Wonderfulspam]

It would be perfectly normal to serve 2 bottles of white and 2 bottles of red, plus water at a table of that size. Then, replace empty bottles, either automatically, or upon request.

Two- to- three dcl of wine over the course of a meal when you don't have to drive anywhere and you're staying next door doesn't seem excessive to me.

Would you let your babysitter drink?

& they weren't next door.

[ferryman]

So you have proof he was over the limit when investigating ?

What is the legal limit in Portugal ?

I believe, in all Europe, a little more than half the UK limit ...

[Carana]

At major points during the investigation, Amaral was in a bar (including late at night on 3 May), by his own admission.

One of his gripes about the media was that if they had said he drank beer at lunchtime, they would have been correct.

His wife even complained about his drink-driving when she was worried about their young daughter. The police ticket on that has already been posted on here.

[Alice Purjorick]

The effects of alcohol on the brain are well recorded. Not to mention the effect on the liver over prolonged periods.
"Difficulty walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, slowed reaction times, impaired memory:  Some of these impairments are detectable after only one or two drinks and quickly resolve when drinking stops".
So can someone make out a case for T9 and G. Amaral be atypical ?

[slartibartfast]

It would be perfectly normal to serve 2 bottles of white and 2 bottles of red, plus water at a table of that size. Then, replace empty bottles, either automatically, or upon request.

Two- to- three dcl of wine over the course of a meal when you don't have to drive anywhere and you're staying next door doesn't seem excessive to me.

Why do you assume it is excessive, they were on holiday. Whether it impaired their memories is another matter.

[Alfred R Jones]

it strikes me reading a number of recent topics that some discrepancies in the statements of those concerned could be attributed to alcohol consumption. There doesn't appear to be any solid information in the files around the amount that was drunk but I would assume that the PJ would have tried to ascertain the condition of the witnesses so that they weigh the reliability of each. What does the forum think?

Are you suggesting that discrepancies in their respective statements could have a very simple explanation and that is that their memory and judgement were impaired by the imbibing of a few drinks prior to the events of May 3rd @ 10pm?  Hmm...not sure how well that will play to those who insist that these discrepancies are deliberate lies....

[Mr Gray]

it appears to me the translators had been drinking

[Miss Taken Identity]

...and of course if any were on medication. Anti- depressants or even paracetamol... Hmm big impact.

I would suspect that they may have sobered up instantly with shock, or became delirious with fear... Kate was worried what people would say...

The sad fact is, they spent very little time with their children on that holiday.

[slartibartfast]

Are you suggesting that discrepancies in their respective statements could have a very simple explanation and that is that their memory and judgement were impaired by the imbibing of a few drinks prior to the events of May 3rd @ 10pm?  Hmm...not sure how well that will play to those who insist that these discrepancies are deliberate lies....

I am suggesting it needs to be thrown into the mix. The reconstruction would have helped.