Was Kate McCann right to decline to answer the 48 questions?

[pathfinder73]

I didn't say it would be different.  Gerry chose to answer the questions, his prerogative.  Clearly he didn't give the PJ any ammunition, he obviously played a blinder.  Well done Gerry. 

Pathetic. Robert Murat answered all questions (he didn't want a lawyer present) and wasn't stitched up. Gerry sat in with Kate for her first interview on 4 May (because of her mental health) and she didn't want to do a second interview on 10 May. When the time came for her to finally answer questions, she thought it was easier not to. Well done Kate treat yourself to a strawberry vodka but don't forget 10 years later they want to solve it at all costs for Madeleine

When asked if on any occasion Madeleine was injured, he says that he has no comments. GM

It's interesting to note who said, are you alright, when Madeleine fell on the plane steps.

[Benice]

Bizarre post.  She covered them in her book because she chose to, and wasn't under investigation by the police at the time, so not at any risk of incriminating herself in a criminal investigation or being thrown in the slammer.   Kate did control the interview agenda very well by refusing to answer any of the PJ's devious (and in some cases rather stupid) questions.  Good for her I say.

I'm glad it wasn't only me who read the 48 questions and was amazed at some of them.   I found it hard to believe that some had been devised by grown up professional policemen.        Apart from anything else they showed an abysmal lack of knowledge of information which should have been known to them already.

For instance - the question -  'What did ..''we let her down''..mean' - surely could have been explained to them in an instant - simply by asking the UK officers who had been with them for weeks.

It's noticeable that while sceptics are keen to point out the fact that Kate didn't answer the questions - they are not so keen to actually discuss them.   I'm not at all surprised.
AIMHO

[The Singularity]

First, you have this from Kate.  Did her lawyer actually confirm this?

Second, you have the issue that Kate chose to answer certain questions whilst refusing to answer the bulk.  So why did she answer any questions whatsoever?  Did she do so with her lawyer's advice or against it?

Mrs McCann's legal counsel is highly unlikely to confirm or deny anything regarding this aspect of their services - why do you think they would?

With regards to the highly publicized 48 questions, this interview was clearly conducted under the advisement of her legal counsel. Whether or not that was good legal advice remains to be seen however I strongly suspect that Mrs McCann adhered to her legal counsel during this interview and subsequent enquiries

[Mr Gray]

Very simplistic yourself.

The logical outcome of your pearl of wisdom is that innocent people should never give information to the police on the basis it might incriminate them.  Which is nonsense.

Actual it isn't
Simplistic again
I'm referring to those suspected of a crime
There was an interesting case shown here of an American lawyer who actually incriminated himself during questioning
His advice was not to answer any questions
The questions Kate was asked were nothing to do with the search for Maddie
The pj had absolutely nothing on the McCanns and were looking for something

[pathfinder73]

I'm glad it wasn't only me who read the 48 questions and was amazed at some of them.   I found it hard to believe that some had been devised by grown up professional policemen.        Apart from anything else they showed an abysmal lack of knowledge of information which should have been known to them already.

For instance - the question -  'What did ..''we let her down''..mean' - surely could have been explained to them in an instant - simply by asking the UK officers who had been with them for weeks.

It's noticeable that while sceptics are keen to point out the fact that Kate didn't answer the questions - they are not so keen to actually discuss them.   I'm not at all surprised.
AIMHO

If your child has disappeared you would get similar questions as a suspect. You can either answer them to help the police and clear yourself or not. Robert Murat answered ALL questions (not nice for him) and it wasn't his child. That would fill me with shame and embarrassment but they've never said that.

[ShiningInLuz]

Bizarre post.  She covered them in her book because she chose to, and wasn't under investigation by the police at the time, so not at any risk of incriminating herself in a criminal investigation or being thrown in the slammer.   Kate did control the interview agenda very well by refusing to answer any of the PJ's devious (and in some cases rather stupid) questions.  Good for her I say.

'Bizarre' seems to be the flavour of the week with some supporters, which is revealing.

If Kate set the agenda why was she muttering f***ing t**sers under her breath.  Was that meant to help Madeleine?

[Alfie]

'Bizarre' seems to be the flavour of the week with some supporters, which is revealing.

If Kate set the agenda why was she muttering f***ing t**sers under her breath.  Was that meant to help Madeleine?

Oh do grow up.  This obsession with 'f..king tossers' is utterly childish and does you know favours whatsoever.

[ShiningInLuz]

You should watch this then because not giving the police any information even if you are completely innocent is very good advice indeed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8z7NC5sgik

'not giving the police any information even if you are completely innocent'.  My apologies in advance, but if this is you being serious re Kate on Madeleine then I can only assume you side with Kate and Madeleine's fate is of little import.

[ShiningInLuz]

I'm glad it wasn't only me who read the 48 questions and was amazed at some of them.   I found it hard to believe that some had been devised by grown up professional policemen.        Apart from anything else they showed an abysmal lack of knowledge of information which should have been known to them already.

For instance - the question -  'What did ..''we let her down''..mean' - surely could have been explained to them in an instant - simply by asking the UK officers who had been with them for weeks.

It's noticeable that while sceptics are keen to point out the fact that Kate didn't answer the questions - they are not so keen to actually discuss them.   I'm not at all surprised.
AIMHO

If such a thread exists, point me at it.  If not, start one up and I will be happy to join in.

[ShiningInLuz]

Mrs McCann's legal counsel is highly unlikely to confirm or deny anything regarding this aspect of their services - why do you think they would?

With regards to the highly publicized 48 questions, this interview was clearly conducted under the advisement of her legal counsel. Whether or not that was good legal advice remains to be seen however I strongly suspect that Mrs McCann adhered to her legal counsel during this interview and subsequent enquiries

The lawyer was quick enough to point out that an alleged plea-bargain was in fact no such thing.

However, in the absence of supporting evidence, we are down to taking Kate's word for it that she was advised not to answer questions.  The fact that she answered the ones she wanted to answer is the tricky bit.

[ShiningInLuz]

Actual it isn't
Simplistic again
I'm referring to those suspected of a crime
There was an interesting case shown here of an American lawyer who actually incriminated himself during questioning
His advice was not to answer any questions
The questions Kate was asked were nothing to do with the search for Maddie
The pj had absolutely nothing on the McCanns and were looking for something

It would have helped if you'd made that clear the first time.

Gerry was also made an arguido.  You appear to be suggesting he should have answered nothing.   Silly Gerry?

How would that have helped Madeleine?

I wonder if the 4 people made arguidos in July 2014 were smart enough to adopt your advice.

[Alfie]

'not giving the police any information even if you are completely innocent'.  My apologies in advance, but if this is you being serious re Kate on Madeleine then I can only assume you side with Kate and Madeleine's fate is of little import.

I don't think Kate had anything to do with Madeleine's disappearance, therefore I don't see how answering 1 question or 20000 questions is going to reveal Madeleine's whereabouts or fate.  I DO think the PJ were hoping to get Kate to incriminate herself so that they could have grounds to press charges.  My opinion.  Please stop your insinuations that I care nothing for Madeleine's fate, you are wrong and are being offensive IMO.

[faithlilly]

I don't think Kate had anything to do with Madeleine's disappearance, therefore I don't see how answering 1 question or 20000 questions is going to reveal Madeleine's whereabouts or fate.  I DO think the PJ were hoping to get Kate to incriminate herself so that they could have grounds to press charges.  My opinion.  Please stop your insinuations that I care nothing for Madeleine's fate, you are wrong and are being offensive IMO.

If she was absolutely honest how could Kate incriminate herself?

[ShiningInLuz]

Oh do grow up.  This obsession with 'f....ing tossers' is utterly childish and does you know favours whatsoever.

If you ignore the facts, your claim that Kate set the agenda or controlled the interview might be worthy of consideration.  However, the fact is that Kate herself evidenced that she was not in control.  And I have less of an 'obsession' with f ts than Kate does.  I wouldn't have known of it Kate had not published it.  Would you?

[Alfie]

If she was absolutely honest how could Kate incriminate herself?

I have already given an example of how earlier in this thread.