What if this man is innocent of Maddy's disappearance?

[craigiep]

The British media is now going nuts reporting about this man being questioned over the disappearance of Maddy McCann. He has been named and footage of him has been shown. It seems the whole press pack is now outside his home in Luz, and GMTV are even in his English hometown. Yet the Sunday Mirror reporter who tipped him off to police yesterday failed (in my opinion) to give a truly convincing reason why she did that. And, as I write this, he has not been charged with anything - just questioned. If he never does get charged, what a terrible stain on his character this is - and he surely should be able to sue for a fortune. Should the media be allowed to name a person who's only taken in for questioning? Everyone is understandably desperate to end this nightmare for Maddy's family (and hopefully for Maddy if she's still alive), and the media are unsure what to do (about how long to keep reporting on this story) if she remains undiscovered. But doesn't this latest coverage strike you as being out of order?

[libertie]

I don't think that anyone has a problem with someone voicing their suspicions to the police, the problem we seem to have is with the media wading in and publishing the persons life story and pictures of them and their families before the police have even decided if they are involved! And if they are innocent, maybe we won't remember their names in future.....but I'm pretty sure that their family, friends and neighbours will!!

[spanner7853]

I think they are just desperate to find someone responsible whether that person is innocent or not. As Libertie said either way his life is over unless they find Madeline and the person who took her.

[kdrlly]

Well, I saw the sun (didn't buy it, just read the front cover!), and they think he was guilty because he used to jump up and down on a bouncy castle a bit too much!! Not exactly on par with the Yorkshire ripper is it!
Man who is a raving psychopath with a claw hammer and a man who has to take his trainers off to bounce around a bit!

[badgerchops]

i know i read the bouncy castle article. Basically they are calling him an oddball cos he has one eye. He lost one eye in a motorcycle accident and he struggled to adapt to his disability for a while. Some 'friend' of his says he acted strange after the crash and became a recluse. Of course he did, he just had a bad accident !

Its really bad because IF this bloke is just a helpful chap who perhaps overstepped the mark a little in being too in their faces he will be ruined for the rest of his life. Everyone will now assume he is a paedo or something.

He should not have been named.

[NikkiB]

Yes this trial by media is extremely worrying. A lot of the "evidence" is hearsay, secondary and wildly open to interpretation. The papers and news agencies seem to leap with glee onto snippet after snippet in a way that nauseates even a gossip monger like me.
As a side issue I understand that one of Madeleine's aunt's is lobbying Parliament for "support" in finding the youngster. What kind of support? Parliament can't bring her back any safer or swifter. Is it a tacit declaration that misgivings about the Portuguese investigation continues?

[LeMarchand]

Not sure as to the likelihood of his innocence, although I do agree that (if innocent) the press have thoroughly ruined his life - even if someone else is caught and convicted, there will be some who will permanently harbour suspicions.

However (as any viewer of Criminal Minds will tell you) certain types of unsub will inject themselves into the proceedings...

[tigerlily11]

If he is innocent then what chance in any future episodes like this one, yielding any one who will help at all for fear of being as seen to helpful. What is the right amount of help.
The media is creating a real problem here. They are gossip mungers and nothing else.
I watched the woman from the Mirror who alerted the police about him as she took much delight in getting her face on TV and making a name for herself.
This whole thing has turned into a media circus and the police are grabbing at straws to keep them quietThe media has its palce and right now it seems its place is to dig the dirt on anyone and everyone.
They are no longer helping.

[Le Chat]

If the Portugese police were more forthcoming, instead of just saying a little, I think it would help the situation. As it is, the press seem to have made up what they don't know. This bloke has been condemned already. I hope he does turn out to be guilty for the flak he is already taking....and yet it would then seem unlikely that Madeline is alive, as they would've found her by now.

[lou 26]

im not sure they are clutching at straws here. the portugese police have said that they don't have enough evidence, not that they dont have any at all. I do think it seems youre guilty until proven innocent in this case and I dont agree with him being named. It all smacks of someone telling you half a story, tell us the facts or say nothing at all. Seems to me that the media are focusing too much on whether this man is guilty or not rather than the aspect of finding Madeleine

[JOEYGREEN]

I was talking to my other half about this yesterday and said the exact same thing - what if he is innocent? Thing is they dig up all sorts about these people and it effects their whole family/friends etc.

[tiggerwoo]

And none of this would be happening if Madeleine's parents had been looking after their children.In my opinion they are the people who have alot to answer for.I cannot understand why they have'nt come in for alot more critisism.Had it been a poor uneducated single mother who had gone off out and left her children unattended..the whole world would have come down on top of her,but because these people are educated middle class types they seem to get away wih it.Apart from this little girl and her siblings being abducted or harmed by a third party..did'nt it ocur to her parents that many other terrible things could have happened to them whilst they were left alone in that apartment.Any one of them could have become ill ie. vomited and choked...apartment caught fire etc etc. It beggars belief that these "intelligent parents" could have even considered leaving those children alone that night.
I hope and pray that poor innocent Madeleine is soon found safe and well,but I fear that this whole experience will affect her for the rest of her life.
I am sorry if my view offends anyone but I have to say what I truly feel and all my friends are of the same mind. When you have children it is your sole responsibility to look after them to the best of your ability...they are precious.
Look at it this way....if they were a t home would they go out to the local and leave them? Or perhaps they do.........

[fine,thanks]

tigger. i take no offence from your answer sadly i agree with you ,

[netibiza]

Most of us agree with that sentiment tigger God Bless Her,