Could Smithman be the key to Madeleine's disappearance?

[Eleanor]

Could we get back On Topic, Please.

[Alfred R Jones]

If you invite the media into that most private of places, your home, it's not hard for those viewing to see what table you eat from Alfie dear.

Yes, a big mistake on their part IMO, giving people like you an opportunity to ogle and criticise, though no doubt they are deeply gratified that their dining table at least meets with your approval (presumably).

[Eleanor]

I ask again.  Could we get back on Topic, please.

[Carana]

@ Pegasus

I haven't found anything so far to indicate that Amaral was busy searching wherever Smithman went after the sighting. His main preoccupation at the time seems to have been trying to get Martin to return to PT to make a statement that he thought Smithman might have been Gerry.

From this interview at least, he wasn't interested in the fact that other family members didn't agree with him. I can't possibly think why...


May 19, 2014
MADDIE: SEVEN YEARS ON – A CMTV SPECIAL (Second Half)


Back to the studio

(P) We return now to the conversation with Gonçalo Amaral – one of our guests in tonight’s special edition of the CMTV dedicated to Maddie’s Case.

(addressing GA) Gonçalo Amaral, please correct me if I am wrong. When you were very close to collect the testimony of this Irish person – who allegedly identified Gerry McCann – you were, suddenly, removed from the investigation.

(GA) That is correct. We already had permission from the police Directorate-General for him to travel to Portugal and we were already dealing with his travelling and other arrangements.Then, suddenly, I was relocated to Faro (another PJ jurisdiction).

Afterwards, my colleague, who took over the case (Paulo Rebelo) decides the testimony of this witness was not relevant to the investigation. He did look  into it thought. Afterwards a contact was made with an Irish liaison officer in Madrid who later went over there and brought his (Smith) testimony from Britain – in other words, they found another way (second-hand) to collect his testimony.

(P): But after speaking with the Irish officer, he contradicts himself…

(GA): Who contradicts himself?

(P): This Irish gentleman.

(GA: No, there is no contradiction. When he spoke to us, he was sure the person he saw was Gerald McCann but then, when he makes his statements to the British police, he tells them he is only 85 or 90% sure. The question then becomes one of chance and percentage.

In addition, we have to bear in mind the manner in which he (Smith) identifies the man. He does not say he is sure the sighting was of a certain person because of its physiognomy. He identifies him by observing his gait and carriage, the child and other details so, in terms of strict evidence, the Smith’s sighting may not have been decisive.

Nonetheless, in terms of the investigation, it was an important element that could have helped us to understand things further; to get to the bottom of this case – (adding with irony) at least until someone else came forward to “clarify” this sighting as well!


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[Eleanor]

What a fibber.  85 or 90% Certain?  This is an outright lie.

[faithlilly]

What a fibber.  85 or 90% Certain?  This is an outright lie.

Could he not just have misremembered as the McCanns and their friends, we are told by your good self amongst others, do ?

[Alfred R Jones]

Could he not just have misremembered as the McCanns and their friends, we are told by your good self amongst others, do ?

So, finally - do you accept that individuals can misremember stuff?  And that this can account for most if not all of the discrepancies that you hold dear to your heart as proof of McCann malevolence?

[Eleanor]

Could he not just have misremembered as the McCanns and their friends, we are told by your good self amongst others, do ?

Sorry.  I thought he was in charge at some point.  Did he not make a note of what his prime witness actually said?

[G-Unit]

What a fibber.  85 or 90% Certain?  This is an outright lie.

Unless someone translated something badly of course. 

[Eleanor]

Unless someone translated something badly of course. 

Difficult with figures.  No, he was just fibbing.

[G-Unit]

Difficult with figures.  No, he was just fibbing.

Well, there was quite a discussion about someone bleeding for 4 5 minutes or 45 minutes as I recall. Also about whether David Payne was in G5A at 1700 or not.

[Alfred R Jones]

So, at last we're all agreed - misremembering and/or mistranslations are valid explanations for discrepancies and odd statements.  Consensus at last, let's remember this day!

[Eleanor]

Well, there was quite a discussion about someone bleeding for 4 5 minutes or 45 minutes as I recall. Also about whether David Payne was in G5A at 1700 or not.

Oh, you mean he meant eight and a half percent to nine percent.  Okay.  I'll go along with that.

[pegasus]

List all missing people in PDL 3 May 2007 wearing long sleeves.
Next.

[faithlilly]

So, at last we're all agreed - misremembering and/or mistranslations are valid explanations for discrepancies and odd statements.  Consensus at last, let's remember this day!

So you agree that Amaral could have misremembered parts of Martin Smith's statement ? Perhaps you'll tell that to Eleanor.