Gerry McCann may be witness at libel trial tomorrow - Jerry Lawton **UPDATE** TRIAL ABANDONED FOR TODAY

aiyoyo wrote:

Tony Bennett wrote: If there was for example a late application for Kate McCann (or Gerry McCann) to give evidence, a judge could well say something like: "I'm not going to rule on this now, but I may consider a further application at a later stage in the proceedings (depending on how the evidence goes)". Sometimes, also, a witness can be recalled, if the court thinks s/he may have something to add.

As a general rule in the British courts - and no doubt in most other well-run judicial systems - a witness must tender their evidence well in advance and in writing. To allow last-minute witnesses would clearly prejudice the other side.  

I suspect the lack of factual reporting is just shoddy journalism.  
The Newpapers may have been told Kate wasn't able to testify but not given the reason for that, and journalists just cant be arsed to find out why, so worded it any how just to come up with an article about their case.   Something just scuppered their case is likely a notion invented by the Papers.  
Unless that 'scuppered their plan' is in quotation marks I doubt its from source..

In general also, it is more likely that a defendant would be allowed to introduce extra witnesses at the last minute than a claimant/plaintiff.  

What I can't understand so far is why, given the claim that both of the McCanns are suffering from the most serious and permanent depressions, with eating disorders and insomnia, indefinable fear and other such severe emotional conditions detailed in the libel writ...why we haven't yet heard from the McCanns' G.P. nor a Consultant in Depressive Disorders or a Consultant Psychiatrist.

They would be truly suicidal if they dare come up with psychiatrist reports certifying this and that, and risk being institutionalised at worst, or at best risk losing Gerry his job, Kate her freedom to come out to spin and raise fund,  and risk losing the twins to social service.

Even if they're hell bent on destroying Amaral that they produced psychiatrist reports to support their claims, there is no measurable mean to accurately reflects that all the contributory factors to their mental and emotional health conditions were caused by Amaral's book and one documentary/

The damage was already done when they were arguidos covered so widely in the national news and news worldwide is irreparable.
 There exists already plenty of negative and skeptical of them articles/media and press reports about them.  Besides there are other books written about the case that are negative about them.  

If the argument that book and documentary are easily available and easier to sway people's opinion than files access on the internet, then the same argument should apply to Kate's bewk and documentary.
Both versions are out in the public domain, if it is perceived  (since there's no accurate gauging measure ) that general public members believed one over the other, then it's no fault of the author or producer.  Credibility of the story is down to the discerning public to decide for themselves.
The public were given informed choices so how can they possibly argue one set of opinion is any more valid than the other.

If they say Amaral's book influence people, Kate has sold more of her books than Amaral, then which leg is their argument standing on?
Is she saying contents in her bews arent believable?  That no one believes it?

aiyoyo wrote:

candyfloss wrote:So is Martin Brunt hotfooting it in to PDL today....


martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt  
#madeleine Gerry McCann expected to ask judge to let him give evidence in libel trial against ex-cop Goncalo Amaral in Lisbon today.

Expected to ask?  

So earlier reports that he hopes to give evidence is just a load of tosh then!

Last minute request cant be entertained, surely any dim wit knows that, or any tom dick and harry can walk in from the street and expect to be allowed to testify

PEANUT66 wrote:Martin Brunt just tweeted pic of Mr M. arriving in court today!

candyfloss wrote:HEARING ABANDONED TODAY

Oh heck, a wasted journey for G McCann today........




martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 38s
#madeleine Today's hearing abandoned because Mr Amaral's lawyer's son is ill.

candyfloss wrote:martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine Outside court Mr McCann said: "I want to give evidence. Kate and I know better than anyone what we've experienced."

candyfloss wrote:martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine Outside court Mr McCann said: "I want to give evidence. Kate and I know better than anyone what we've experienced."

Tony Bennett wrote:

candyfloss wrote:martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine Outside court Mr McCann said: "I want to give evidence. Kate and I know better than anyone what we've experienced."

 In other words, 'it was a fat lot of use relying on the likes of Susan Hubbard, Michael Wright and Alan Pike'!

margaret wrote:

candyfloss wrote:martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine Outside court Mr McCann said: "I want to give evidence. Kate and I know better than anyone what we've experienced."

That's right Gerry, which begs the question why didn't you and Kate put yourselves down as a witness from day 1!

Don't answer we know it was for headlines and a chance to bash the Portuguese again.   

aiyoyo wrote:

margaret wrote:

candyfloss wrote:martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine Outside court Mr McCann said: "I want to give evidence. Kate and I know better than anyone what we've experienced."

That's right Gerry, which begs the question why didn't you and Kate put yourselves down as a witness from day 1!

Don't answer we know it was for headlines and a chance to bash the Portuguese again. 

Inclined to think it's ID change of tactic when she realised the bunch of hearsay witnesses didn't make any impact.

nobodythereeither wrote:Anyone know why the case has been postponed?

Surely not another personal issue for the judge???

Tony Bennett wrote:

aiyoyo wrote:

margaret wrote:

candyfloss wrote:martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 1m
#madeleine Outside court Mr McCann said: "I want to give evidence. Kate and I know better than anyone what we've experienced."

That's right Gerry, which begs the question why didn't you and Kate put yourselves down as a witness from day 1!

Don't answer we know it was for headlines and a chance to bash the Portuguese again. 

Inclined to think it's ID change of tactic when she realised the bunch of hearsay witnesses didn't make any impact.

But they have made an impact!

candyfloss wrote:

nobodythereeither wrote:Anyone know why the case has been postponed?

Surely not another personal issue for the judge???

I put it up nearly an hour ago.........

martinbrunt ‏@skymartinbrunt 47m
#madeleine Today's hearing abandoned because Mr Amaral's lawyer's son is ill.