Is everybody feeling positive about tomorrow?

Don't know about anyone else, but I am getting really nervous. I see it's ony SKY news about the McCanns flying out to Lisbon today. How do you think it will go? I am trying to keep positive, and wish Mr Amaral the best, but with the McCanns lawyers you never know. Lets hope freedom of speech prevails.

Well, I must say I am nervous too. I have no faith in the justice system any more.
Only last week a young man I know who was a bystander at a fight was advised by his Counsel in Crown Court to plead guilty to being involved even though he never threw a punch.
He was told he would be sent to prison if he plead not guilty even though he had no criminal record.

He has learning difficulties and now has a tag and a suspended sentence for doing absolutely nothing.

I have my fingers crossed for Snr Amaral and hope that the truth prevails in this case.

Well, it looks as though an English cop who was supposed to testify on behalf of Mr Amaral, is now longer going to testify. Bit worrying, here is the article


Maddie case: Police English invokes state secrets privilege to refuse to testify
00h00m
NUNO MIGUEL MAIA
Trial book on Maddie without key witness in research English.

A detective sergeant from Scotland Yard submits "immunity of State and obligation of secrecy on investigations of the case Maddie refuse to testify tomorrow, Tuesday, at the beginning of the trial that Mr and Mrs McCann to the former coordinator of the PJ, Gonçalo Amaral .

The witnesses tomorrow in the Civil Courts of Lisbon, limited to the elements will be enrolled by the former head of the Judiciary Police of Portimão, most of which also collaborated in the investigation of the disappearance of British girl. The case concerns the order of recall of all books "True Lies", which is defended the thesis of the death of Maddie, and parental involvement in hiding the corpse.

The English police, incidentally named Portuguese (José de Freitas), was the official liaison between the Lusitanian and English and the McCanns. On several occasions accompanied Kate and Gerry, who were to be made defendants, after being confronted with evidence of human blood and body odor in the apartment at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz, Lagos. The remains - remember - were detected by the English dogs "Eddie" and "Keela".

As is standard in the concrete procedures of the British, all the contacts and signals expressed by the McCanns were recorded, including those who contributed to support the decision to set up as suspects. And that's about it, and other data that you want to Gonçalo Amaral interview.

"Any potential evidence [testimony] that I can give may be subject to confidentiality and Public Interest Immunity english. Furthermore, since all the services that were watched officers, applies the doctrine of state immunity and will be required consent of the United Kingdom authorities to waive the immunity of state, before I could be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Portugal and to offer any evidence, whether relevant or not. The immunity of the State covering my official acts is that of United Kingdom and not mine, and can not be waived for me, but only by the United Kingdom, "José de Freitas wrote to the judge of the Civil Courts of Lisbon after having been notified in a letter to the JN had access.

The police suggested that his testimony is before the request through a letter rogatory or through the British ambassador in Portugal. Subject to prior authorization by the British, who have just set a tight regime of secrecy of the process in England (see text below).

(google translation)

That's so unjust littlepixie how can it be right?
It makes my blood boil.
I think this has a fifty fifty chance, after all it was refused, then granted, but I share your nerves. In a way perhaps it's a plus that Jose Defreitas has been barred from giving evidence as it proves what Amaral said all along about interference.
On a different note, this is weird: (from a twitterer called newsoutlines, on Twitter) Is anyone following recent developments re: Hollie Greig? (Maddie connection) (http://newsoutlines.blogspot.com/search/label/Hollie%20Greig
I read their article and it appears to be saying that Anne Greig, mother of abused Holly Greig, advised police that two of her abusers were in PDL at the same time Maddie disappeared but police nevr acted on her advice. Corruption at very high levels within Scottish police - boy every day it's something else *brain implodes*

that is fifty fifty but it won't let me edit!

:: Sky News Online will be covering the libel case with line-by-line live updates from inside the courtroom in Portugal.

This is interesting from Sky. Going a bit over the top aren't they.

Eh?
Thought closed meant we'd hear zilch!
Really confused now, but admittedly it doesn't take much

All UK court cases are in camera and we hear the details that are given out for those. I suppose in the same way we'll just hear the journos thoughts as it's going on.

oh , okay, 'line by line live updates from inside the courtroom' sounds like it's not in camera at all.

how confusing.

Sounds like it's only in camera as far as the general public is concerned -- might be to avoid any opposing factions squaring up to each other and chipping in at every verse end.
But it looks as if accredited media will be allowed in, given their supposed neutrality. (pause for hollow laughter)

Trying to stay positive too but, having also lost faith in the justice system, all we can do is hope and pray that Mr Amaral has a fair hearing and justice prevails. Does anyone know what time the hearing is due to start?

Anne Greig, surely that's an old story? I remember I've read about it ages ago.

I haven't a clue when it starts tomorrow.
I doubt it'll be in camera, it's a civil case.

Autumn wrote:Trying to stay positive too but, having also lost faith in the justice system, all we can do is hope and pray that Mr Amaral has a fair hearing and justice prevails. Does anyone know what time the hearing is due to start?

Hi Autumn, last time it was supposed to start at 10 - 10.30ish, so I would think it might probably be around the same time. Just me guessing though.

Inyx wrote:Anne Greig, surely that's an old story? I remember I've read about it ages ago.

I haven't a clue when it starts tomorrow.
I doubt it'll be in camera, it's a civil case.

You're right Inyx, it is so this could be just more obfuscation.
What happened to Hollie happened nearly twenty years ago.
The update, claimed on that site, is that Anne Greig, Hollie's Mum, reported that two known child abusers (her ex-husband and son) were in PDL when Maddie disappeared. Sounds like spin to me, but the bigger picture is alleged to involve the higher echelons of the Scottish constabulary, right up to the sheriff.

candyfloss wrote:

Autumn wrote:Trying to stay positive too but, having also lost faith in the justice system, all we can do is hope and pray that Mr Amaral has a fair hearing and justice prevails. Does anyone know what time the hearing is due to start?

Hi Autumn, last time it was supposed to start at 10 - 10.30ish, so I would think it might probably be around the same time. Just me guessing though.

I have heard 9:30 Portuguese time (if that is different to UK) from a friend in PT.

For Ruby:

https://jillhavern.forumotion.net/have-your-say-news-topics-f12/high-level-establishment-paedophiles-get-away-with-it-again-hollie-greig-t317.htm

candyfloss wrote:

Autumn wrote:Trying to stay positive too but, having also lost faith in the justice system, all we can do is hope and pray that Mr Amaral has a fair hearing and justice prevails. Does anyone know what time the hearing is due to start?

Hi Autumn, last time it was supposed to start at 10 - 10.30ish, so I would think it might probably be around the same time. Just me guessing though.

Thanks Candyfloss :flower: lets brace ourselves for an avalanche of pink spin this week

Thanks for link vaguely1.
I read this before but didn't remember any PDL link mentioned, nor is it on the link you posted or Google, so I think I will disregard this.

I think that Portugal is mentioned in Tony's OP.

If not it's mentioned somewhere. Not PDL specifically.

I'd never seen the two linked before, until your post on page 1.

Is this an official link being given??

Ruby wrote:

candyfloss wrote:

Autumn wrote:Trying to stay positive too but, having also lost faith in the justice system, all we can do is hope and pray that Mr Amaral has a fair hearing and justice prevails. Does anyone know what time the hearing is due to start?

Hi Autumn, last time it was supposed to start at 10 - 10.30ish, so I would think it might probably be around the same time. Just me guessing though.

I have heard 9:30 Portuguese time (if that is different to UK) from a friend in PT.

I've found it and it's indeed 9:30 Portuguese time, that's 10:30 UK time

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=nl&sl=pt&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Faeiou.visao.pt%2Fmadeleine-casal-mccann-presente-no-julgamento-de-proibicao-de-venda-de-livro-de-goncalo-amaral%3Df543725

I also heard it started at 9.30 in the morning. But I expect that will be Portuguese time. Not sure how that translates into our time. (Too complicated for my little brain!!)

Where is TB today? Anyone heard from him? Has he gone to Portugal with Deborah and Sharon?

ufercoffy wrote:Where is TB today? Anyone heard from him? Has he gone to Portugal with Deborah and Sharon?

If he has gone, I very much doubt he will be accompanying Deborah - also, there is nothing to say she is going, only her word which, imo, counts for nothing.

What it boils down to, is this; does Gonçalo Amaral really have something to say at the court? Something that's really incriminating? GA has always maintained that he has further information to reveal.

Well, now is the time to do it.

According to some people, the reason for GA keeping certain information to himself was to ensure that the outcome of any future investigations would not be affected.

Let's be honest, this case has gone nowhere for over two-and-half years. It has been screaming out for factual evidence. What has been the holdup? For goodness sake, let's hear the truth over the next few days.

Still Here wrote:According to some people, the reason for GA keeping certain information to himself was to ensure that the outcome of any future investigations would not be affected.

Let's be honest, this case has gone nowhere for over two-and-half years. It has been screaming out for factual evidence. What has been the holdup? For goodness sake, let's hear the truth over the next few days.

I think we would all like to hear the truth, which is exactly why we must all hope that justice prevails and Senor Amaral is allowed to tell the world 'The Truth About The Lie'.
You ask why the holdup - I think that the 'Article by Paulo Sargento' thread may provide you with the answer.

Best Wishes for tomorrow to a courageous man, Goncalo Amaral

I am positive about tomorrow. Nothing can excuse and there is no fundament for the couple´s demand to stop the aknowledgement, circulation, distribution and sale of Gonçalo Amaral´s book.
Of course, the book is not good to these parents and they prefer GA to be quiet, the same their utterly negligent attitude of leaving the children alone was not good AT ALL for Madeleine and SHE also would prefer them to be QUIET AT HOME KEEPING THEIR CHILDREN SAFE.
THE HUGE DIFFERENCE HERE is that the parents can sue, can threaten, can show their unpleasentness for the outcoming of a tragedy which IS THEIR OWN FAULT. Madeleine can´t. And, not satisfied because their daughter couldn´t have voice in the mess they did, they also want to shut up all the ones who have been trying to give her voice, simply seeking the truth about what happened that bloody night of the 3rd May 07.

So, I am positive about tomorrow. I wish I could be the same positive about the strongness of the proof I am hoping and waiting GA to have. So strong and factual that should be the piece master to frame these parents and put them answering all the questions they were never able to answer.
This is my best wish for the near time about this case, because the book, IMO, will go on being sold and known. Freedom of speech will win in court. Anyway, unlike the parents that seem to be more worried with the irrelevant or acessory, I hope more: The factual truth. The relevant on this case.

Still Here wrote:According to some people, the reason for GA keeping certain information to himself was to ensure that the outcome of any future investigations would not be affected.

Let's be honest, this case has gone nowhere for over two-and-half years. It has been screaming out for factual evidence. What has been the holdup? For goodness sake, let's hear the truth over the next few days.

Oh yes please.

It will indeed be a very dangerous road that the Portugues will embark on if Mr Amaral loses tomorrow. Who has the right to tell another country to ban one it's citizens books, sold in their own country, when it hasn't even been sold in this country. Moreover, a book that was on sale for over a year, which they claim they never read. A very dangerous precedent indeed. Therefore I hope and pray and send all good wishes to Mr Amaral for tomorrow.