Sunday, September 9, 2007

Madeleine McCann Story Taking Sad Twist.

It seems very sad that this is what it comes down to, after so many people tried to help. I just hope this sad situation comes to a conclusion, so we can know what realy happened.


----TomC


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/09/nmcann609.xml

Kate and Gerry McCann left Portugal today – just 48 hours after they were declared official suspects in the hunt for their missing daughter Madeleine.

The couple caught the early morning easyjet flight from Faro in the Algarve to East Midlands airport with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.

They are planning to return home to Rothley in Leicestershire to try and pick up the pieces of their life.

It is just two days since they were questioned and named as "arguidos" by detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine from Praia da Luz on May 3.

The McCanns, both 39, left Portugal with the full knowledge and agreement of the police, despite their status as suspects, their spokeswoman said.

They are returning to the UK to "consider their response" to the allegations against them, and to reintroduce their twins to ordinary life, the spokeswoman added.

"Despite there being so much that they wish to say, they are unable to do so, except to say this: they played no part in the disappearance of their beloved daughter," she said.
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No bail conditions have been imposed or charges brought but the couple can be called back to the Algarve at any point to be re-interviewed.

There was speculation that the couple may return as early as later this week to face questions from the local public prosecutor in Portimao.

Just after 7am the McCanns left their villa in Praia da Luz, relying on two police cars to clear a path through the waiting camera crews. They were followed at speed along the motorway all the way to the airport by Portuguese media.

Mr McCann drove his wife and two children in a silver Renault Scenic, the hire car at the centre of controversial forensic results.

Portuguese police believe traces of Madeleine’s blood were found in the vehicle, while other sources claim the DNA sample was too badly contaminated to get a proper match.

The McCanns plan to approach David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, asking him to intervene in the case of their missing daughter Madeleine amid growing fears that they might become the victims of a "shocking injustice".

The couple are "angry and horrified" that the search for the missing four-year-old has been halted as, they believe, police seek to blame them for killing her and disposing of her body.

Some forensic scientists have begun to question some of the evidence against the couple - supposedly samples of Madeline's blood found in the boot of the car they hired 25 days after the disappearance, and the "death smell" allegedly found on Mrs McCann's belongings by a police sniffer dog.

There is suspicion that tiny DNA samples obtained from the McCanns' apartment - and compared with the blood found in the car boot - could have been contaminated.

One of Britain's leading forensic scientists, who asked not be named, said: "If they are spots of blood, it could not be from a car used by the McCanns 25 days later. That doesn't make sense.

"The blood would have dried and it would not transfer as spots unless the child is alive. It would be fragments [of dried blood].

"But that is not what the police are saying they have. This is the prevailing view among other forensic scientists I have spoken to."

John Barrett, a former Scotland Yard dog handler, also indicated that the trained dogs used in an attempt to detect a "death smell" on Mrs McCann's Bible and clothes were brought in too long after Madeleine vanished.

The crucial scent lasts for no longer than a month, he said.

The McCanns are expected to appear before the public prosecutor in Portimao, Portugal, this week. They could face restrictions on their movements and, possibly, charges.

The McCanns, both 39-year-old doctors, are said to be "deeply alarmed" by the turn of events after they were interrogated separately by Portuguese police for a total of 24 hours on Thursday and Friday.

Portuguese sources said police were using a "war of nerves" in an effort to make Mrs McCann "crack" and confess to killing her daughter.

Her two interrogations last week - the second lasting 11 hours - were described as "aggressive", with officers said to be "exploring her weaknesses".

Media reports said the couple used their right to remain silent and refused to answer "more than 40 questions". Friends insisted they answered all questions put to them.

The couple, who spoke with Mr Miliband last month, will urge him this week to step in "with any help he can," said a friend of the couple.

"There is a danger of a shocking injustice here," the friend said. "Kate and Gerry are appalled that anybody could think Kate would harm any of her children."

Mrs McCann's mother, Susan Healy, defended her, saying: "She fought her corner in her interview with the police and I felt quite proud that she was able to do that knowing how distraught she was by Madeleine's disappearance."

Philomena McCann, Mr McCann's sister, said of her brother: "He is a bit distressed and very tired. But he is adamant that he has done nothing wrong."

Portuguese police believe that Mrs McCann killed Madeleine accidentally with a sedative overdose, and then hid the body. They think Mr McCann helped cover up her crime.

The McCanns insist they have never used sedatives on their children and deny any involvement in Madeleine's death. They believe that she was abducted and is still alive.

Police have indicated their case is based on DNA evidence, analysed by British forensic scientists.

It is said to be blood from Madeleine found in the hired car. Investigators say further analysis is needed before any "definitive" conclusions.

The couple spent yesterday at a rented villa in Praia da Luz with their two-year-old twins, Amelie and Sean.

The Foreign Office was last night described as "firing on all cylinders" in its efforts to help the McCanns.

Asked about the case yesterday, Mr Miliband said: "A little girl is missing. This is an independent judicial process we fully respect. Consular services are being provided. Above all, this is about a little girl."

Hanshin Tigers Take Central League Lead!


Takashi Toritani connected an RBI-triple to break 7-all tie and Toru Fujiwara added another one run in the top of extra 10th inning as Hanshin Tigers downed Yomiuri Giants 9-8 (for the second night in a row!) to Extend their lead in the Central League to 1.5 games and to continue their winning streak to 10!

Andy Sheets went 2 for 6 with 1 RBI tonight. Darwin Cubillan took the mound in the bottom of 4th inning as first reliever. Darwin allowed two-run, one-hit over two innings.

Ganbare Mouko!

TomC

Sick!


I pretty much feel like crap today, and so alas there will be no good posts. I am sneezy and runny nosed, congested and groggy. I cant taste much of anything, so I decided all I would have for lunch was frozen chicken burritos, which dont taste like much anyway, and so I wouldn't be missing anything.

Well being sick means no whiskey or cigars because I wouldnt be able to enjoy them anyway. I hope that I feel better before vacation. The Red Sox lost badly so there really isnt much to talk about there. Celtic FC doesnt play this week because of international team duties. I really want to talk about the Central League Baseball race (the Hanshin Tigers have won 9 straight now to surpass the Yomiuri Giants for first place for the first time since APRIL 3, GANBARE MOUKO!), but I am having a hard time finding any info on it, bleg.

Alas that is all.

TomC

PS I will leave you with these fun videos. Its obvious that in the NPB the Hanshin Tigers have the superior baseball team, but just maybe Rakuten Eagles Fans come to the game for "other reasons"......