Slarti's Simple Solution.

[G-Unit]

But G - can you think of any reason why Gerry - having already said the patio door was unlocked and so knowing that to be the obvious way for him to enter 5A  - he decided to tell the PJ interviewer that he took the much longer route round to the other door?      That just doesn't make any sense to me - and one would have thought the interviewer would also have wondered why he would do that  - and would have asked him to explain such a strange decision at that point in the interview.   But apparently he didn't - which IMO is quite telling.

IMO the fact that the reason Gerry gave to the PJ as to why he 'changed' his statement has not been mentioned is quite strange.   One would think that the reason for such a major change in his evidence would definitely have been recorded.   After all  - he must have explained to them why he wanted  his first statement to be changed.

We do know as a fact that there was confusion over which door witnesses were referring to - and so the only reason that works for me is that a misunderstanding happened very early on - and carried on throughout the interview.   And I would not blame anyone for that - because it WAS the very first interview for all concerned.

I can only assume that he thought he had used the front door and opened it with his key. There is no reason why the PJ officer would have asked him to explain unless he was familiar with the layout of the apartment. All they were doing on 4th was getting statements, not critically examining them. When he was interviewed on 10th they asked him why he said he used the locked door before and all he said was yes, he had said that but he was now changing it. Again, there was no reason for those taking the statements to dig deeper, I don't suppose that was their job. The only person who was confused about doors was one police officer working for Leicester Police, as I recall and that was the fault of the witnesses referring to front and back doors. In Gerry's case there was no confusion about 'front' or 'back' doors, he was quite clear. Locked and unlocked. Open with key and slide.

Why is it so worrying that Gerry McCann couldn't remember which door he used? After all, he locked the patio doors every time he went out in the daytime and then locked the front door with the key. It was only at night he says he left the patio doors open and didn't double lock the front door.

[faithlilly]

But G - can you think of any reason why Gerry - having already said the patio door was unlocked and so knowing that to be the obvious way for him to enter 5A  - he decided to tell the PJ interviewer that he took the much longer route round to the other door?      That just doesn't make any sense to me - and one would have thought the interviewer would also have wondered why he would do that  - and would have asked him to explain such a strange decision at that point in the interview.   But apparently he didn't - which IMO is quite telling.

IMO the fact that the reason Gerry gave to the PJ as to why he 'changed' his statement has not been mentioned is quite strange.   One would think that the reason for such a major change in his evidence would definitely have been recorded.      After all  - he must have explained to them why he wanted  his first statement to be changed.

IMO the reason it wasn't recorded was because merely correcting a mistake caused by confusion over the doors  was not that important.

We do know as a fact that there was confusion over which door witnesses were referring to - and so the only reason that works for me is that a misunderstanding happened very early on - and carried on throughout the interview.   And I would not blame anyone for that - because it WAS the very first interview for all concerned.

A police interviewer does not ask the interviewee why they made decisions. They let them gang themselves, or not, by their own words.

[pathfinder73]

But G - can you think of any reason why Gerry - having already said the patio door was unlocked and so knowing that to be the obvious way for him to enter 5A  - he decided to tell the PJ interviewer that he took the much longer route round to the other door?      That just doesn't make any sense to me - and one would have thought the interviewer would also have wondered why he would do that  - and would have asked him to explain such a strange decision at that point in the interview.   But apparently he didn't - which IMO is quite telling.

IMO the fact that the reason Gerry gave to the PJ as to why he 'changed' his statement has not been mentioned is quite strange.   One would think that the reason for such a major change in his evidence would definitely have been recorded.      After all  - he must have explained to them why he wanted  his first statement to be changed.

IMO the reason it wasn't recorded was because merely correcting a mistake caused by confusion over the doors  was not that important.

We do know as a fact that there was confusion over which door witnesses were referring to - and so the only reason that works for me is that a misunderstanding happened very early on - and carried on throughout the interview.   And I would not blame anyone for that - because it WAS the very first interview for all concerned.

IF there was a deceased person in there as Eddie suggested the patio door would be locked at 8:30. That's an explanation for using a key to enter. That's a theory of course before the claws are out.

[pegasus]

Can anyone identify source of this  snippet?  "I pulled the sofa away from the wall and searched behind it"

[pegasus]

... must be in a statement somewhere?

[Benice]

I can only assume that he thought he had used the front door and opened it with his key. There is no reason why the PJ officer would have asked him to explain unless he was familiar with the layout of the apartment. All they were doing on 4th was getting statements, not critically examining them. When he was interviewed on 10th they asked him why he said he used the locked door before and all he said was yes, he had said that but he was now changing it. Again, there was no reason for those taking the statements to dig deeper, I don't suppose that was their job. The only person who was confused about doors was one police officer working for Leicester Police, as I recall and that was the fault of the witnesses referring to front and back doors. In Gerry's case there was no confusion about 'front' or 'back' doors, he was quite clear. Locked and unlocked. Open with key and slide.

Why is it so worrying that Gerry McCann couldn't remember which door he used? After all, he locked the patio doors every time he went out in the daytime and then locked the front door with the key. It was only at night he says he left the patio doors open and didn't double lock the front door.

Well I think we are going to have to agree to differ on this one G.

I can't believe that after 4 nights when the regular established routine for both of them was to check the children via the patio doors  - Gerry would have any doubt whatsoever in his mind over which door he used..   

I can believe he said he used the front door, but he was referring to the patio door.

I think the PJ officer added the words  (with a key) to clarify in his summarised statement which door he genuinely believed was being referred to..

The fact that the PJ officer was not familiar with the layout and Gerry's state of fear and anxiety at the time of that interview time would explain how misunderstandings could have arisen imo.

Other people have referred to the patio door as the front door - including the 4 ex detectives (?) who went to PdL to do their own investigation.  IIRC they had a chart on the wall showing the layout of 5a and had marked the patio doors as ''the front door'.   (from memory)

Surely any policeman worth his salt would want to question Gerry in depth  about such a massive change in his statement?      Even if they didn't at that particular time - then there were other opportunities.  Why wasn't it one of the 48 questions? 

IMO the reason it wasn't seen as significant enough to be brought up again was because they were already satisfied that it was an innocent mistake which happened during the first interview -  and which was corrected with a satisfactory explanation from Gerry at the second.

As we all know every word spoken is not recorded in summarised statements - only what the interviewing officer deems relevant. 

AIMO

[Carana]

Can anyone identify source of this  snippet?  "I pulled the sofa away from the wall and searched behind it"

Not for the moment.

There are these two statements from Nelson (GNR).



Then, with his colleague, he searched the apartment. He opened all the cupboards of the bedrooms, living room and kitchen and he checked under the beds and in the fridge. He did not see the washing machine. He did not see anything strange during the search and there was no sign of a break in. As regards the bed clothes of the child’s bed, he found it to have a normal disposition.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/NELSON-DA-COSTA.htm

In this sentiment, the deponent states that they searched al the dependencies of the residence and all the pieces of furniture, in order to confirm the disappearance -- effectively confirming that that she was not in the interior;
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/NELSON-DA-COSTA-1.htm

[G-Unit]

Well I think we are going to have to agree to differ on this one G.

I can't believe that after 4 nights when the regular established routine for both of them was to check the children via the patio doors  - Gerry would have any doubt whatsoever in his mind over which door he used..   

I can believe he said he used the front door, but he was referring to the patio door.

I think the PJ officer added the words  (with a key) to clarify in his summarised statement which door he genuinely believed was being referred to..

The fact that the PJ officer was not familiar with the layout and Gerry's state of fear and anxiety at the time of that interview time would explain how misunderstandings could have arisen imo.

Other people have referred to the patio door as the front door - including the 4 ex detectives (?) who went to PdL to do their own investigation.  IIRC they had a chart on the wall showing the layout of 5a and had marked the patio doors as ''the front door'.   (from memory)

Surely any policeman worth his salt would want to question Gerry in depth  about such a massive change in his statement?      Even if they didn't at that particular time - then there were other opportunities.  Why wasn't it one of the 48 questions? 

IMO the reason it wasn't seen as significant enough to be brought up again was because they were already satisfied that it was an innocent mistake which happened during the first interview -  and which was corrected with a satisfactory explanation from Gerry at the second.

As we all know every word spoken is not recorded in summarised statements - only what the interviewing officer deems relevant. 

AIMO

I have stated the recorded facts. You 'can't believe' Gerry McCann made a mistake. You 'can believe' the PJ officer added words which Gerry didn't say. I have written signed statements to support what I have said. You have your beliefs supported by...your beliefs. You can believe or disbelieve whatever you wish, the recorded facts remain.

[Mr Gray]

I have stated the recorded facts. You 'can't believe' Gerry McCann made a mistake. You 'can believe' the PJ officer added words which Gerry didn't say. I have written signed statements to support what I have said. You have your beliefs supported by...your beliefs. You can believe or disbelieve whatever you wish, the recorded facts remain.

I am fairly certain that words were added that Gerry didn't say...these are not verbatim questions they are answers to questions...you can believe the statements are accurate...but thats all it is...a belief

[G-Unit]

I am fairly certain that words were added that Gerry didn't say...these are not verbatim questions they are answers to questions...you can believe the statements are accurate...but thats all it is...a belief

I prefer to base my arguments on a document which I and others can see and read for ourselves. The document is a signed statement and the purpose of the signature on a statement given to the police is to verify the truth of it. If the person signing sees or hears something incorrect it's his or her job to correct it at the time.

[pathfinder73]

Well I think we are going to have to agree to differ on this one G.

I can't believe that after 4 nights when the regular established routine for both of them was to check the children via the patio doors  - Gerry would have any doubt whatsoever in his mind over which door he used..   

I can believe he said he used the front door, but he was referring to the patio door.

I think the PJ officer added the words  (with a key) to clarify in his summarised statement which door he genuinely believed was being referred to..

The fact that the PJ officer was not familiar with the layout and Gerry's state of fear and anxiety at the time of that interview time would explain how misunderstandings could have arisen imo.

Other people have referred to the patio door as the front door - including the 4 ex detectives (?) who went to PdL to do their own investigation.  IIRC they had a chart on the wall showing the layout of 5a and had marked the patio doors as ''the front door'.   (from memory)

Surely any policeman worth his salt would want to question Gerry in depth  about such a massive change in his statement?      Even if they didn't at that particular time - then there were other opportunities.  Why wasn't it one of the 48 questions? 

IMO the reason it wasn't seen as significant enough to be brought up again was because they were already satisfied that it was an innocent mistake which happened during the first interview -  and which was corrected with a satisfactory explanation from Gerry at the second.

As we all know every word spoken is not recorded in summarised statements - only what the interviewing officer deems relevant. 

AIMO

But it wasn't the routine every night. Read Fiona's rog. She said she knew the McCanns had been using the front key door to check then found out the patio door was unlocked at the table from Kate just before Madeleine disappeared.

[Miss Taken Identity]

Well I think we are going to have to agree to differ on this one G.

I can't believe that after 4 nights when the regular established routine for both of them was to check the children via the patio doors  - Gerry would have any doubt whatsoever in his mind over which door he used..   

I can believe he said he used the front door, but he was referring to the patio door.

I think the PJ officer added the words  (with a key) to clarify in his summarised statement which door he genuinely believed was being referred to..

The fact that the PJ officer was not familiar with the layout and Gerry's state of fear and anxiety at the time of that interview time would explain how misunderstandings could have arisen imo.

Other people have referred to the patio door as the front door - including the 4 ex detectives (?) who went to PdL to do their own investigation.  IIRC they had a chart on the wall showing the layout of 5a and had marked the patio doors as ''the front door'.   (from memory)

Surely any policeman worth his salt would want to question Gerry in depth  about such a massive change in his statement?      Even if they didn't at that particular time - then there were other opportunities.  Why wasn't it one of the 48 questions? 

IMO the reason it wasn't seen as significant enough to be brought up again was because they were already satisfied that it was an innocent mistake which happened during the first interview -  and which was corrected with a satisfactory explanation from Gerry at the second.

As we all know every word spoken is not recorded in summarised statements - only what the interviewing officer deems relevant. 

AIMO

99.9999% of the population would understand that a patio is unsually  at the rear or side of a building depending on the shape and layout. The apartment 5A front door looked like the front door!

Are you seriously expecting us to beleive that Gerry McCann remembered he saw his beautiful daughter sleeping and he recalled spending a moment to think how lucky he was- he also thought someone was in the apartment with him, but he couldn't recall which door he used  during that IMPORTANT last sighing of his daughter alive? he the recalled that Jane Tanner didn't pass by him, after she gave a sworn statement saying she did!   We have a Cinderella situation here, trying to make the shoe fit...

[Brietta]

99.9999% of the population would understand that a patio is unsually  at the rear or side of a building depending on the shape and layout. The apartment 5A front door looked like the front door!

Are you seriously expecting us to beleive that Gerry McCann remembered he saw his beautiful daughter sleeping and he recalled spending a moment to think how lucky he was- he also thought someone was in the apartment with him, but he couldn't recall which door he used  during that IMPORTANT last sighing of his daughter alive? he the recalled that Jane Tanner didn't pass by him, after she gave a sworn statement saying she did!   We have a Cinderella situation here, trying to make the shoe fit...

That's one way of putting it ... pity it is biased and wrong.  Nothing new under the sun though, is there.

[Benice]

99.9999% of the population would understand that a patio is unsually  at the rear or side of a building depending on the shape and layout. The apartment 5A front door looked like the front door!

Are you seriously expecting us to beleive that Gerry McCann remembered he saw his beautiful daughter sleeping and he recalled spending a moment to think how lucky he was- he also thought someone was in the apartment with him, but he couldn't recall which door he used  during that IMPORTANT last sighing of his daughter alive? he the recalled that Jane Tanner didn't pass by him, after she gave a sworn statement saying she did!   We have a Cinderella situation here, trying to make the shoe fit...

No I am not claiming that Gerry couldn't remember which door he used.   I'm claiming that he may well have said he used the FRONT door - but he was referring to the patio doors.   If the PJ officer interviewing him assumed he meant the wooden door overlooking the car park - then that is how a misunderstanding could have occurred.

Personally it has never occurred to me to think of the patio door as the front door and the wooden door as the back door, but apparently some people did do that.   The previous confusion caused by doing that is mentioned by the UK police officer interviewing JT.

[Eleanor]

No I am not claiming that Gerry couldn't remember which door he used.   I'm claiming that he may well have said he used the FRONT door - but he was referring to the patio doors.   If the PJ officer interviewing him assumed he meant the wooden door overlooking the car park - then that is how a misunderstanding could have occurred.

Personally it has never occurred to me to think of the patio door as the front door and the wooden door as the back door, but apparently some people did do that.   The previous confusion caused by doing that is mentioned by the UK police officer interviewing JT.

I confused the two doors, mainly because I had not seen any photos of the actual front door.  It was all about the front of the appartment overlooking the swimming pool.  A very easy mistake to make.