Could the Portugese police have known who it was all along?

Question

They may not have enough proof and are letting the person reveal themselves by over pushing themselves into people's faces, and showing their callousness. They have often let perpetrators do press conferences in the past because they reveal themselves - like the thing about going back to the scene of the crime. The questioning of Robert Murat was decided on that basis too. Somone fully involved and trying to control how the investigation goes. mmmmmmm

Answer 1

Lady Faversham - Maybe they arent questioning Robert Murat or the Russian guy because they have no credible evidence against him. There is a lot of doubt surrounding him but unless you can prove something, the dude is innocent.

And you mentioned how there were inconsistencices in his story , which makes me wonder if you know anything about the McCanns at all. There story has more holes in it than swiss cheese. First they checked on their children every half hour. Then it was every hour. Then it wasnt just them, it was a combination of them and friends who checked up on the kids.

I could go on and on ......... but if you want to start blaming people for inconsistencies in their story then its not just Robert Murat who is the sole member of this list.

Answer 2

Not necessarily!
They haven't enough evidence agains Robert Murat - but if they had sealed off the scene of the criem from the minute they were called and put the McCanns in another room they might have done by now!
This is what the British police would have done - and not allowed in cleaners and all and sundry - including the possible perpetrator!
Any evidence is null and void!
But why haven't they taken Robert and the Russian in for more questioning - surely they could find out what those conversations were about - surely there must be computer evidence and what about the hire car - surely they could force him to tell them what he hired it for - and did they check that for any evidence of Maddy perhaps?!
And what about the fact the tracker dog followed a trail to teh next apartment - who was in there and have they been traced and how much were they questioned and searched and their car searched?!
What about all the people who Robert asked to give alibis to him - have they been questioned and talked to by the police very much?!
They should arrest him and cross question him and force him to give them some answers and tell the truth about where he was that night!
His mother should also be questioned again - especially as she supposedly gave her son a false alibi - there are too many inconsistencies - the police over here would have been a lot more thorough - it would seem their force is not and
gives up far too easily if you ask me!
Think that is why the parents have sought so much publicity and taken matters into their own hand - they are frustrated by the way the police work over there - not making things public etc etc!

Answer 3

I have to smile at most of the answers above. Why do they not realise EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN ??

It is clear to whom you are referring and a lot of people are beginning to think along the same lines.

Whenever I seem to come across McCann 'supporters' there is little sound argument and, indeed, most resort to one or two liners along the lines of 'Get off their backs!' The current one going around slagging people off is the not so eloquent 'Angela F' - I wonder exactly why these people get so worked up about a few home truths?

The public has a right to question the anomalies in this case - let's be honest, it is littered with them! I won't repeat them all here as they have been covered extensively in other posts. Suffice to say that I am still waiting for some answers from the 'supporters' as to what exactly the McCanns have done right and why all the things they have done wrong do not matter !!

Answer 4

The Portuguese people have done everything they possibly can to try and find the missing girl.

Already, considerable pressure has been placed upon the Portuguese police by the UK.gov in the guise of Gordon Brown MP who wants open press conferences which are not part of normal police procedure in Portugal as they are in US/UK etc.

It is very doubtful that the Portuguese police know the perpetrator but are just continuing their investigations in a manner as laid down in Portuguese law. The police must operate within the law of Portugal, if they do not, then an arrested suspect may very well have a case to bring against the police which could mean no charge, no trial and all that follows.

Everyone wants the person or persons responsible for what has happened to be caught, arrested and charged. This now seems unlikely in the short term.

The hunt is now spreading across Europe and the world.

Answer 5

Read any work of fiction that involves a child abduction and even there you will find references to what is now sometimes called the "golden hour". It is such a basic fact that in this country we tend to take it for granted.
What the Portuguese police did in those first hours would leave British police officers open to disciplinary action.
There is no getting away from the fact that, no matter how much they've tried to catch up, they allowed vital evidence to be contaminated and/or lost completely in the beginning.
As a direct result of their ineptitude, it is unlikely that anyone will be held accountable in law - (unless the kidnapper is caught red handed with Maddy or her remains) any trial that follows an arrest made now will always be tainted with doubt for the lack of physical evidence.
Remember OJ Simpson?
The only trial that may stand any chance of success is if the McCanns are charged with child neglect.

Answer 6

I think the Portuguese police have messed up this investigation from day one.
They had a description of a man seen with a child at the right time & right day but did not release the description to the press. If they had someone might have come forward with information. By now he could have gotten twice around the world, grown a beard, shaved his head, anything. They have no chance of finding him after all this time.
Also, releasing the fact that the little girl has a very recogniseable flaw on her eye could possibly have been a bit too much. Now people would only have to look at her to recognise her even if her hair was dyed or cut.
I'm afraid I think she is dead & that, had the police released the right details earlier, she might have been found by now.

Answer 7

This is why we as a country are the best. Are police force comes away with everything with in a matter of days and have a suspect right from the go. Its the same with the cricket guy who died and no one had a clue for weeks untill we went over to help. They must know and the more this goes on the less chance we will find that poor girl.

Answer 8

They did mention about a man early on in the investigation
but left it till now to say something
I just prey for the Mcanns and all there family that they have strength to carry on
Respect
shaz

Answer 9

Another related Maddy question

Answer 10

why are you wasting time on here join the police . you will make detective in no time, and catch them yourself, the whole thing has got out of hand the way police work best is not to let all and sundry know whats on their plate, the offender is one step ahead all the time the way it is,