Has support for the McCanns and Goncalo Amaral reached cult status?

[G-Unit]

Support for neither the McCanns nor Amaral has reached 'cult status'.

There are those who believe in the rule of law (McCann-supporters) and there are those who uphold the 'right' of citizens to trample rough-shod over the rule of law (Amaral-supporters); precious little in between (so far as I can judge).

Supporter's seem to have issues with the laws of Portugal, however.

[stephen25000]

Supporter's seem to have issues with the laws of Portugal, however.

Yet they were elated when the law was in the mccanns favour, until the appeals of course.

[Angelo222]

Yet they were elated when the law was in the mccanns favour, until the appeals of course.

I always said Mr Amaral would win in the end and I was proven right.

Now about this cult status claim, my own view is that both Amaral and the McCanns have people who 'follow' them who think they are in a cult of some form or other.

[stephen25000]

I always said Mr Amaral would win in the end and I was proven right.

The initial judgement by the first judge was flawed, so it came as no surprise it was overturned.

I expected that as well.

The gloating of the supporters before the appeal decision came out was very foolish.

[jassi]

I always said Mr Amaral would win in the end and I was proven right.

Now about this cult status claim, my own view is that both Amaral and the McCanns have people who 'follow' them who think they are in a cult of some form or other.

My God, don't tell me you are the Davel in disguise   

[ferryman]

I always said Mr Amaral would win in the end and I was proven right.

Now about this cult status claim, my own view is that both Amaral and the McCanns have people who 'follow' them who think they are in a cult of some form or other.

The end?

(Incidentally, some people on the side of truth and justice (for the McCanns!) also predicted Amaral would win the libel trial).

[stephen25000]

The end?

(Incidentally, some people on the side of truth and justice (for the McCanns!) also predicted Amaral would win the libel trial).

He should have.

The first judges judgement was flawed.

[Jean-Pierre]

He should have.

The first judges judgement was flawed.

I don't think anyone should start gloating just yet. 

First of all, going to law is always an uncertain business, so you must always be prepared for a case to go against you.  By and large, Judges do an excellent and thoughtful job in reaching their decisions.

Portuguese law, in common with other Roman Law systems is codified, and in this judges do have discretion as to which parts of the code they see fit to apply in a particular set of circumstances.  So it perfectly possible for two courts, presented with similar cases, to come to two quite different judgements - and for both to be correct according to the code.  As seems to be the case here.

Ironically, this makes it more unpredicatable than English common law which relies on precedent. 

Until the Supreme Court has had its say (if the McCanns do decide to appeal) it may be unwise for anyone to celebrate too publicly. 

[jassi]

Another couple of weeks and we should know if an appeal has been submitted .

[Mr Gray]

I always said Mr Amaral would win in the end and I was proven right.

Now about this cult status claim, my own view is that both Amaral and the McCanns have people who 'follow' them who think they are in a cult of some form or other.

those who talk of dogma and mantras certainly do sound cultish

[stephen25000]

those who talk of dogma and mantras certainly do sound cultish

..and you type you dogma and mantra , day by day, by day by  .........................

[ferryman]

Supporter's seem to have issues with the laws of Portugal, however.

That Portuguese law places no requirement on ex police officers to keep quiet about cases they have been involved in, especially as recently as just a handful of months before publication of a book on the subject, does seem bizarre.

[stephen25000]

That Portuguese law places no requirement on ex police officers to keep quiet about cases they have been involved in, especially as recently as just a handful of months before publication of a book on the subject, does seem bizarre.

You do believe in the rule of law, don't you ferryman ?

[G-Unit]

That Portuguese law places no requirement on ex police officers to keep quiet about cases they have been involved in, especially as recently as just a handful of months before publication of a book on the subject, does seem bizarre.

What they actually said was;

The facts were already in the public arena because the files had been released and;

They had been widely discussed in the media [because of the parents], so;

It made no sense to say Amaral shouldn't give his interpretation too.

[ferryman]

What they actually said was;

The facts were already in the public arena because the files had been released and;

They had been widely discussed in the media [because of the parents], so;

It made no sense to say Amaral shouldn't give his interpretation too.

I have posted what they actually said ....