Could Smithman be the key to Madeleine's disappearance?

[pathfinder73]

Any sighting of a man carrying a child is of great importance but the PJ were investigating Murat at the time and Tanner said the man she saw was carrying a child towards his house so of course that sighting was given top priority.


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[pegasus]

Any sighting of a man carrying a child is of great importance but the PJ were investigating Murat at the time and Tanner said the man she saw was carrying a child towards his house so of course that sighting was given top priority.

"Any sighting of a man carrying a child is of great importance"
Disagree.
What needs to be found is a person apparantly not carrying a child.
It's the most popular rule in the criminal mind Pathfinder: Don't let people see what you're doing.

[Brietta]

Any sighting of a man carrying a child is of great importance but the PJ were investigating Murat at the time and Tanner said the man she saw was carrying a child towards his house so of course that sighting was given top priority.

Then that is a perfect example of all the eggs going into the one basket.

The PJ may indeed have had an arguido constituted the day prior to the witnesses coming forward but it is not the function of the PJ or any policing body to act as prosecutor ~ judge ~ or jury.
They are tasked with investigating; whether or not that may inconvenience them.

I would be of the opinion that the priority of this and any case involving a missing child ... is the child and the opportunity to find her ... not a conviction at that time.

A report of a man seen carrying a child matching the description of the missing child but walking away from the direction of the prime suspect's residence was worthy of note and investigation; particularly as the witness statement seemed to suggest the PJ were backing the wrong horse.

[Brietta]

"Any sighting of a man carrying a child is of great importance"
Disagree.
What needs to be found is a person apparantly not carrying a child.
It's the most popular rule in the criminal mind Pathfinder: Don't let people see what you're doing.

               Quite. The object of the exercise would be concealment not advertisement of the crime.

[pathfinder73]

why do you think wheel a suitcase through a holiday resort would look more suspicious than carrying an uncovered undisguised corpse?

Because open carrying is quicker and not suspicious in that resort with late night creches. This was 10pm at night. Struggling with a heavy suitcase stands out a mile at that time all alone. If you were smart you would use concealment only away from the crime scene. That is where you don't want to be seen carrying a child so of course Tannerman was prime suspect.

[pegasus]

               Quite. The object of the exercise would be concealment not advertisement of the crime.

Precisely.

[Carana]

"Any sighting of a man carrying a child is of great importance"
Disagree.
What needs to be found is a person apparantly not carrying a child.
It's the most popular rule in the criminal mind Pathfinder: Don't let people see what you're doing.

Hindsight's a great thing...

In different circumstances, a number of questions might have been helpful (IMO).

- Did you see anyone carrying a child?
- Were YOU or someone you know carrying a child?
- Did you notice anyone carrying / dragging a suitcase or bags of any description?
- After a roundabout general convo and much soothing: was anyone you know expected for dinner / drinks in a bar / evening shift work who was delayed?
- Has anyone you know been behaving in a different way recently?

- (...)

[pathfinder73]

Precisely.

Only at the crime scene. If you are moving from a safe distance away then it's not suspicious as it looks like a normal father and daughter returning home from the creche. This is what has fooled everyone. They think it's normal and no abductor would carry a child that far without using a vehicle. 

[pegasus]

Because open carrying is quicker and not suspicious in that resort with late night creches. This was 10pm at night. Struggling with a heavy suitcase stands out a mile at that time all alone.

You seem to be assuming a light weight for your theory, and a much greater "struggling" "heavy" weight for the other theory.

[Alfred R Jones]

Because open carrying is quicker and not suspicious in that resort with late night creches. This was 10pm at night. Struggling with a heavy suitcase stands out a mile at that time all alone. If you were smart you would use concealment only away from the crime scene. That is where you don't want to be seen carrying a child so of course Tannerman was prime suspect.

This is in your opinion.  Personally I think the reverse is true.  In a holiday resort people expect to see people "struggling" with suitcases (though why pulling a suitcase on wheels should prove so difficult I don't really understand).  Conversely, people don't expect to see men carrying corpses around, but perhaps that's just me?  Remember this supposed corpse was undisguised and anyone passing it could have reported it as looking exactly like the missing child, and the man carrying it looking exactly like the child's father, in fact that pretty much happened anyway didn't it?!  So, why did "Smithman" puruse such an idiotic course of action in your view?

[pegasus]

Only at the crime scene. If you are moving from a safe distance away then it's not suspicious as it looks like a normal father and daughter returning home from the creche. This is what has fooled everyone. They think it's normal and no abductor would carry a child that far without using a vehicle.

Safe distance? How many metres from the apartment does visible open carrying start in your theory?

[pathfinder73]

Safe distance? How many metres from the apartment does visible open carrying start in your theory?

About half-way from crime scene to Smiths sighting. On the opposite side of wasteland to the crime scene location (not in the wasteland).

[pathfinder73]

This is in your opinion.  Personally I think the reverse is true.  In a holiday resort people expect to see people "struggling" with suitcases (though why pulling a suitcase on wheels should prove so difficult I don't really understand).  Conversely, people don't expect to see men carrying corpses around, but perhaps that's just me?  Remember this supposed corpse was undisguised and anyone passing it could have reported it as looking exactly like the missing child, and the man carrying it looking exactly like the child's father, in fact that pretty much happened anyway didn't it?!  So, why did "Smithman" puruse such an idiotic course of action in your view?

Easy answer Time since death could possibly be established if found and she hasn't been found.

[Alfred R Jones]

Easy answer Time since death could possibly be established if found.

With all due respect that is a rubbish answer. 

[pathfinder73]

With all due respect that is a rubbish answer.

Oh really do you think? Hypothesis: We've found her dumped in the wasteland only a 150 metres away but she's been dead for many hours. Hmmm.....