6 years ago today: NOW EIGHT WITNESSES POINT THE FINGER AT SUSPECT MURAT Tuesday January 1,2008 Martin Evans in Praia da Luz KATE McCann has admitted being suspicious of Robert Murat after yet another witness claims to have seen him on the night Madeleine went missing. She told friends she felt Murat may not have told the truth about his movements on the fateful night and was concerned about the number of people contradicting his version of events. The latest person to cast doubt on Murat’s alibi is an unnamed British barrister who claims he saw the expat hanging around near the Ocean Club half an hour after Madeleine was reported missing. It takes to eight the number of people who contradict his story that he never left his villa on the night of May 3. Murat, who has a five-year-old daughter, has always vehemently denied any involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine. But after he was declared an official suspect in May an increasing number of people have come forward claiming he was hanging around near the McCanns’ apartment on the night of May 3. He maintains he was indoors all evening and learned of Madeleine’s disappearance the following morning – at which point he volunteered his services as a police translator. The eight witnesses who claim they saw him on the evening of May 3 are: The McCanns’ three friends – and members of the Tapas Nine – Fiona Payne, Rachael Oldfield and Russell O’Brien; Ocean Club nanny Charlotte Pennington; holidaymaker and Ocean Club guest Jayne Jensen; the British barrister and two unnamed tourists. Dr Payne, 34, told police she had seen Murat during the search for Madeleine in the hours after the alarm was first raised. Ms Oldfield, 36, said she saw him shortly after Kate announced that her daughter was missing. Dr O’Brien, 36, insisted he spotted Murat during the search. Ms Pennington, 20, told police she had seen him near the McCanns’ apartment at about midnight on May 3. Ms Jensen, 54, and the British barrister both felt certain that Murat was smoking a cigarette outside the Ocean Club around 10.30pm. The barrister has given police a witness statement but does not wish to go public. None of those who has identified Murat, 34, knew him beforehand but his supporters point to the fact that not one of the locals who took part in the first search for Madeleine has come forward to say they saw him that night. Murat’s mother Jenny, 71, has insisted he was at home with her all evening and has accused the McCanns’ private detectives of bribing witnesses to implicate her son. Kate has told friends she remains suspicious about the former estate agent. A source close to the couple said: “Kate has always felt there are questions concerning Murat that need to be answered. “The police have never said this is definitely the man. The McCanns never treated him in their own mind as the man responsible for their daughter’s disappearance. “But they think he has some questions to answer. They read everything, like everybody else, and think ‘that’s a bit odd’. “But because Kate is naturally more wary than Gerry she has occasionally said ‘Perhaps he has some questions to answer.’ But Murat is not a subject of discussion all the time. They do not sit there at home fretting about him.” HOWEVER, the following article appeared in the same paper the very next day, saying that Murat was expected to be cleared. So the first article was no doubt theTeam McCann diversion and confusion tactics weve become so familiar with over the years DAILY EXPRESS, JANUARY 2, 2008 Murat to be cleared soon? The Daily Express reports that Robert Murat could be cleared tomorrow, as the investigation reaches a crucial deadline, police files on the case are finally set to be released. Last night Murat’s lawyer, Francisco Pagarette, claimed that detectives now believe he is innocent and are preparing to lift his arguido status tomorrow – exactly eight months after Madeleine vanished. If they fail to clear him then, under Portuguese law, they must charge him or reveal what evidence they have against the 34-year-old father of one. Murat, who was declared an official suspect on May 14, is desperate to have the cloud of suspicion hanging over him removed, claiming his life has been destroyed by false allegations. Mr Pagarette said: After eight months that is the end of the inquiry, so a suspect must be accused or advised of the suspicions against them. The public prosecutor either accuses him or they don’t. And that is what I am hoping will happen. He added: We have not had any communication from the police since August. Obviously they have already cleared Robert, it is just a question of the deadline. Theoretically, Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry, the only other arguidos, should also be charged, released or told what evidence exists against them tomorrow. But it is believed the prosecutor has already granted an extension allowing a further period of secrecy for the investigation because of the special complexity of the case. Detectives are also due to re-interview Kate and Gerry in Britain and do not wish to make any decision about their status until that process is complete. themaddiecasefiles/post3675.html#p3675
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 12:00:49 +0000
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