The Smithman e-fits

[Robittybob1]

"3991 Martin Smith information regarding Gerry McCann on television 2007.11.08
13-Processo Vol XIII  Page 3991
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3991
 NUIP 201/07 o GALGS
4' Brigada Information

We can infer, from the analysis of the information contained in folios 2871 and 2872, that the statement of Martin Smith, duly identified and filed as folio 1606, reports new elements.

This information alleges that upon catching sight of Gerald McCann on the television news, when he (GM) arrived at the UK and still at the airport, he (GM) appeared to him to be the individual whom he saw on 3rd May in Praia da Luz, carrying a child.

As a result of this and because of the fact of the witness being resident in Ireland, we contacted an officer from the Irish force for the Iberian Peninsula, in Madrid, Bernard Gattney, who took on the task of carrying out the necessary arrangements in order to proceed to a new questioning of Martin Smith.

He was sent by email a copy of the information including the witness statement, and a list of questions to ask him, duly translated into English.
Portimao, 8th November 2007
Inspector

Joao Carlos"

Whether Martin Smith really says he saw Gerry McCann the PJ took what he said and interpreted it as an identification: "This information alleges that upon catching sight of Gerald McCann on the television news, when he (GM) arrived at the UK and still at the airport, he (GM) appeared to him to be the individual whom he saw on 3rd May in Praia da Luz, carrying a child."

They are going to question him again.  Are those questions and answers in the file?

The questions are there.  We need to look at each question and determine why the PJ would need to be asking those questions.

The questions:
"3992 Email regarding Smith statement 2007.11.07
3993 to 3994  Portuguese translation of email from Prior re: Smith statement 2007.09.20
13-Processos Vol XIII Page 3992 (in English)
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3992
 
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3993
 
13_VOLUME_XIIIa_Page_3994
 
Email sent from Joao Carlos Silva Pereira to Bernard Gattney

8th November 2007
Subject: Martin Smith

Bernard ,

According to our phone contact, I hereby enclose the report on Martin Smith, son of P S and C S, born in Ireland on *****, and an Irish citizen, passport n' *****, home address*****.

Following the enclosed report you are now kindly requested to ask him the following questions:

- Does he confirm the statement he made in Portugal on May 26th 2007?

- Can he describe in detail the individual he saw carrying a child on May 3rd 2007, notwithstanding the fact that he has already made this description in his previous statements? Was this individual alone?

- When and in what mass medium has he seen the news of Gerald McCann going down the plane stairs, and carrying one of his children? (If possible he should be shown the above-mentioned pictures, as well as asked whether he confirms or disconfirms this man was the same individual he saw on May 3rd 2007).

- Was it really Gerry McCann? Is he sure of this fact?

- Does he recognise Gerald McCann from the facial features or from the way he was carrying the child?

- Are his family members, namely the ones who were with him on May 3rd 2007, able to recognise the individual? If yes, do they also identify the individual as being Gerald McCann? (If yes, such family members should also be interviewed with a view to equally answering the above questions).

- Any other possible significant question, whether arising from the answers of Martin Smith to the above questions or that is deemed as relevant, should be equally asked.

3993 to 3994 – Portuguese translation of email from Prior
re: Smith statement 2007.09.20"

[Robittybob1]

When I look at those questions I see they are still the same questions as we are asking today.  I found one question there particularly odd and I'm going to look to see if Martin Smith answered it:  "Was this individual alone?"

I'm getting the hint that there were two men but only one child so at anyone time it is only one man carrying the child but at some point along that journey they swapped. 

What does Martin Smith say regarding "Was this individual alone?"

[Robittybob1]

I take this part to be Martin Smith's second statement even though his name is not mentioned
"I hereby declare that this statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I will be liable to prosecution if i state in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.


I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct. The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10' in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone. I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person. It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either. I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane. After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later. This statement has been read over to me and is correct."

He does not mention whether the individual was alone.  He does not answer the question: "Was this individual alone?"
Why didn't he answer that simple question?
Did they all misunderstand the question, for the statement seems to have quite a bit of detail saying that Martin Smith is not alone in this opinion, but I don't believe that was the question the PJ wanted answered.

What did the PJ really mean when they asked Martin Smith  "Was this individual alone?" ?  Were they wondering if Smithman was alone?  Or was it was whether Martin Smith was alone in his opinion?

[misty]

I take this part to be Martin Smith's second statement even though his name is not mentioned
"I hereby declare that this statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I will be liable to prosecution if i state in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.


I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct. The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10' in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone. I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person. It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either. I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane. After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later. This statement has been read over to me and is correct."

He does not mention whether the individual was alone.  He does not answer the question: "Was this individual alone?"
Why didn't he answer that simple question?

He did.
" He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone."....

[Mr Gray]

I take this part to be Martin Smith's second statement even though his name is not mentioned
"I hereby declare that this statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I will be liable to prosecution if i state in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.


I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct. The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10' in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut. This individual was alone. I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person. It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either. I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane. After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later. This statement has been read over to me and is correct."

He does not mention whether the individual was alone.  He does not answer the question: "Was this individual alone?"
Why didn't he answer that simple question?

He did... He said the individual was, alone

[misty]

It was still a choice, as was their decision to refrain from publicising the Smith sighting. Only in 2013 was the extent of their mistake revealed. They had been publicising the sighting of the wrong man and child for six years!

Why would the McCanns have wanted to promote a sighting of a girl wearing long-sleeved pyjamas?

[Robittybob1]

He did... He said the individual was, alone

It does too, not even given a separate paragraph or anything.  OK if there were two people involved he only saw one at that moment.
Thanks for that Davel.

[Robittybob1]

Why would the McCanns have wanted to promote a sighting of a girl wearing long-sleeved pyjamas?

Maybe they didn't want to have to explain where the long-sleeved pyjamas came from.  Between 9:15 and 10:00 PM there is plenty of time to change the girl's pyjamas.

[misty]

Maybe they didn't want to have to explain where the long-sleeved pyjamas came from.  Between 9:15 and 10:00 PM there is plenty of time to change the girl's pyjamas.

And there was also plenty of time to put outdoor clothing, socks & shoes on the little girl.

[Robittybob1]

And there was also plenty of time to put outdoor clothing, socks & shoes on the little girl.

True, but what was the person intending to do?  Were they going to have a sleep or going for a trek?

[Robittybob1]

The questions and the answers together
Following the enclosed report you are now kindly requested to ask him the following questions:

- Does he confirm the statement he made in Portugal on May 26th 2007?
"I would like to state that the statement I made on 26th May 2007 in Portugal is correct."

- Can he describe in detail the individual he saw carrying a child on May 3rd 2007, notwithstanding the fact that he has already made this description in his previous statements?
 "The description of the individual that I saw on 3rd May 2007 carrying a child is as follows. He was average build, 5 foot 10' in height, brown hair cut short, aged 40 years approximately. Wearing beige trousers and darkish top maybe a jacket or blazer. He had a full head of hair with a tight cut."

Was this individual alone?
" This individual was alone."

- When and in what mass medium has he seen the news of Gerald McCann going down the plane stairs, and carrying one of his children? (If possible he should be shown the above-mentioned pictures, as well as asked whether he confirms or disconfirms this man was the same individual he saw on May 3rd 2007).
" I saw Gerard McCann (sic) going down the plane stairs carrying one of his children on 9th September 2007 BBC news at 10 PM, I have been shown the video clip by Sergeant Hogan which I recognise. A clip I have seen before on the Internet. In relation to the video clips of Gerard McCann and the person I saw on 3rd May 2007 when I saw the BBC news at 10 PM on 9th September 2007 something struck me that it could have been the same person.
It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either."

- Was it really Gerry McCann? Is he sure of this fact?
"I would be 60-80% sure that it was Gerard McCann that I met that night carrying a child. I am basing that on his mannerism in the way he carried the child off the plane."

- Does he recognise Gerald McCann from the facial features or from the way he was carrying the child?

"It was the way Gerard McCann turned his head down which was similar to what the individual did on 3rd May 2007 when we met him. It may have been the way he was carrying the child either.
"
- Are his family members, namely the ones who were with him on May 3rd 2007, able to recognise the individual? If yes, do they also identify the individual as being Gerald McCann? (If yes, such family members should also be interviewed with a view to equally answering the above questions).
"After seeing the BBC news at 10 PM, footage on the 9th September 2007 I contacted Leicestershire police with this information. During that time I spoke to all my family members who were with me on the night of 3rd May 2007 about this and the only one who felt the same way as me was my wife. She had seen the video clip of Gerard McCann walking down the stairs of the plane earlier that day. We did not discuss this until some days later."

- Any other possible significant question, whether arising from the answers of Martin Smith to the above questions or that is deemed as relevant, should be equally asked.

[This could have been a good place to introduce the question about whether the child was dead or alive.]

Martin Smith does not use the term "facial features".

   

[misty]

True, but what was the person intending to do?  Were they going to have a sleep or going for a trek?

1. Why change the pyjamas if the child was dead?
2. Why change the pyjamas at all?

[G-Unit]

In my opinion you are apportioning blame in entirely the wrong direction.  Why didn't the Portuguese police prioritise  any leads at all ... particularly the Smith efits forwarded to them ... which when you think about it must have ended up in the file marked "Not Relevant to the Investigation" which was compiled between 2008 and 2010.

Therefore did Paiva look at them before deciding they were irrelevant?

Are you suggesting that they expected the PJ to investigate those e-fits in 2009? Given their opinion of the PJ that's hardly likely. They had every opportunity to publicise the e-fits themselves but chose not to.

[Robittybob1]

1. Why change the pyjamas if the child was dead?
2. Why change the pyjamas at all?

Can you see anything in the Q&A above that suggests the child is dead?  The previous pyjamas may have been soiled or urinated on if the girl had had a fright.

[misty]

Can you see anything in the Q&A above that suggests the child is dead?  The previous pyjamas may have been soiled or urinated on if the girl had had a fright.

So where were the dirty clothes? Where had he got the clean clothes? He'd come from somewhere & he was going somewhere else but carried no baggage for the child.