Madeleine McCann: German Prisoner Identified as Suspect, #41

[Mex]

I am failing to see how the guns are important at all. MM was not abducted at gunpoint was she.

We already know CB is a monster criminal. Criminals have guns.

Sadly, all we know is that MM was abducted and not the manner in which that was achieved.

Similarly we know guns have been found and we know that CB has been seen carrying one. What we don't know is the significance of the weapons found in the property which can be associated with CB.

The searchers knew what they were looking for and when they found it they shut down the search before the allotted time allowed time for the search was up.
My opinion

 

[Mex]

Actually that is not the problem at all. The judge at the trial last year made her feelings plain about people giving interviews to the Press. He has said things that were flat out wrong ie that the search last year at the reservoir was to find three bodies. HCW himself has said that was never true.

Likewise it could also be said that people like JC because he is critical of CB and not that he is necessarily factual.

Like the rest of us the existence of CB was unknown to JC until his identity was hinted at in 2019 setting the media pack into a frenzy.
The bad mouthing of JC stems from his journalistic work from 2007 until the present day so there is more to it than any work he has done on CB.

 

[Denis R Tandib]

It’s all confirmation bias. If you believe that CB is guilty, you think articles from JC and RP, and commentary from CM are good because they support the abduction narrative leaving no scope for alternatives.

If you are open to other possibilities then you will consider other options - I recently re-listened to the ‘Maddie’ podcast by MS. IMO, it’s an example of someone trying to work out what happened. As an Australian, he got good access and spoke to people on both sides of the argument.

To me, that’s decent journalism, providing the facts so the reader can make up their own mind. JC and RP print what the key players want publishing so they get access to future exclusives - please don’t try to argue otherwise, JC has paid for his lifestyle reporting on the MM case.

Frankly, all this “my journo’s better than yours” is silly. There is a mountain of stuff out there - I’ve listened to the MMU podcast featuring JC, I’ve listened to BS on JE’s podcast which are at opposite ends of the spectrum. And, much, much more. The answer is somewhere in between but IMO, it’s impossible to work out where if you only read stuff that confirms what you already believe.

 

[australianwebsleuth]

It’s all confirmation bias. If you believe that CB is guilty, you think articles from JC and RP, and commentary from CM are good because they support the abduction narrative leaving no scope for alternatives.

If you are open to other possibilities then you will consider other options - I recently re-listened to the ‘Maddie’ podcast by MS. IMO, it’s an example of someone trying to work out what happened. As an Australian, he got good access and spoke to people on both sides of the argument.

To me, that’s decent journalism, providing the facts so the reader can make up their own mind. JC and RP print what the key players want publishing so they get access to future exclusives - please don’t try to argue otherwise, JC has paid for his lifestyle reporting on the MM case.

Frankly, all this “my journo’s better than yours” is silly. There is a mountain of stuff out there - I’ve listened to the MMU podcast featuring JC, I’ve listened to BS on JE’s podcast which are at opposite ends of the spectrum. And, much, much more. The answer is somewhere in between but IMO, it’s impossible to work out where if you only read stuff that confirms what you already believe.

I am glad you bring up the issue of confirmatory bias, anchoring bias is another term for it.

It's not just confined to journalists and web sleuths. It often derails police investigations as well. The William Tyrrell investigation is a case in point.

In medicine it can lead a doctor to the wrong diagnosis with fatal consequences for patients. Anchoring bias is the number 1 cause of preventable deaths in hospitals.

Relevant negatives are just as important as relevant positives in making accurate assessments. Just look at some the miscarriages of justice to see this. The Guildford 4? , essentially evidence for their innocence was ignored.

I recently watched a program on Netflix regarding the Yorkshire Ripper. Because the evidence did not fit the profile they had, they ignored high quality evidence from victims who he had attacked.

 

[tedtink]

<modsnip>

Wasn't MS the first person who coined the 'scapegoat' phrase regarding CB, which has grown legs in the conspiracy clubs?
Hardly good journalism IMO.
Perhaps the ‘scapegoat’ conspiracy is also based on a biased pov too.

 

[frank-cole]

For me I like factual reporting. It is that simple. For that reason I like the German papers

Challenging to sleuth without detail. I’m Uk based so tend to read UK reports.

 

[Mex]

Challenging to sleuth without detail. I’m Uk based so tend to read UK reports.

Eyewitness: 'It's clear search activity has moved'​

Our correspondent Dan Whitehead, who is in Praia da Luz, says police activity has moved.

"The focus yesterday for police was on disused farm buildings, close to where the prime suspect Christian B lived.

"It's clear that the activity has moved elsewhere at the moment."

He says the ground is hard and dense, and that poses a challenge for officers.

"German police are leading this investigation because of that prime suspect Christian B," he adds.

"He denies all involvement."

Madeleine McCann latest: Parents not commenting on new search - as police shift area of focus

Reporting from Portugal, Sky News' Dan Whitehead says it's clear investigators have shifted their area of focus on the second day of a fresh search for Madeleine McCann. She went missing in the area when she was three years old, 18 years ago. Recap the latest below.

news.sky.com

It is a case which has been constantly changing but the focus has been firmly on CB since investigators were perhaps prematurely forced into naming him.
CB has been intensively investigated concerning numerous offences unrelated to MM. While in the background information keeps on coming in about CB's time in Portugal.

 

[JB1510]

<modsnip>
Wasn't MS the first person who coined the 'scapegoat' phrase regarding CB, which has grown legs in the conspiracy clubs?
Hardly good journalism IMO.
Perhaps the ‘scapegoat’ conspiracy is also based on a biased pov too.

More like Amaral got wind of the BKA investigation in Portugal from ex colleagues and hence the scapegoat, patsy etc when in reality he won’t accept he was miles off in the original investigation.

 

[frank-cole]

More like Amaral got wind of the BKA investigation in Portugal from ex colleagues and hence the scapegoat, patsy etc when in reality he won’t accept he was miles off in the original investigation.

Yes. I thinks there’s a lot now that shows the incompetence & that they weren’t capable of handling the serious crimes in their area. Leaving people like CB to get out of control. It all sounded ludicrous back then & now it’s even more so. The added hypothesis of phantom freezers & sneaky government coverups in missing children cases always struck me as absolutely insane. Logic can’t be the reason to follow it, imo it’s a matter of identifying in a community.

 

[Hexe]

This thread is focused on CB, it's not for considering other options, whatever that means.

It's for discussion about CB as a suspect, which means also analysing the evidence and dealing with doubts.

 

[Sillybilly]

ADMIN NOTE:

This discussion is not about journalism and who's the better journalist. Members are allowed to believe whichever journalist they trust the most and base their opinions on their own interpretations. It is also not for criticizing other members or discussing gossip and conspiracy theories.

Please get back to discussing CB as a suspect and the known facts of the case. If you disagree with something, state your opinion and move on without the back and forth bickering and never ending debate.

Thank you.

 

[Davieson]

A balance view of evidence is a better approach as suspects aren't necessaril;y guilty.
IMO

 

[Mex]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>
There isn't a lot we can actually do except 'tune in' to developments as they occur and any opinion based on the information released into the public domain; which by its very nature is limited and sparse.

What cannot be denied is the case is a bit of a roller coaster ride even after all these years.
Still holding the interest and the hope that MM's family find out as much of the full story as is possible; but my impression is that police liaison has conveyed that already and they already know that.

Pre judgement of this stage of the case happened back in 2019 when the trope about the <modsnip> was launched.
But a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.
My opinion

 

[johnlair]

One thing I was dwelling on is that at that time of year the ground is going to be very solid and dry... I personally would discount him burying her unless he predug a grave... Fire would bring alot of attention would he really risk that knowing the sirens are pointing to alot of police attention... Water would be the quickest and easiest method of him disposing of a body.. so would it be a well .. the dam which is what I would lean too moo or the sea.
Just some thoughts I have on this case

 

[frank-cole]

There isn't a lot we can actually do except 'tune in' to developments as they occur and any opinion based on the information released into the public domain; which by its very nature is limited and sparse.

What cannot be denied is the case is a bit of a roller coaster ride even after all these years.
Still holding the interest and the hope that MM's family find out as much of the full story as is possible; but my impression is that police liaison has conveyed that already and they already know that.

Pre judgement of this stage of the case happened back in 2019 when the trope about the <modsnip> was launched.
But a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.
My opinion

Yeah, the ‘patsy’ lines were self-serving & started by people trying to protect the reason for their income streams.
It’s interesting that out of thousands of tip-offs, leads & sightings, a German prosecution, never related to the case before comes out of absolutely nowhere & spends millions investigating.

 

[Mex]

A balance view of evidence is a better approach as suspects aren't necessaril;y guilty.
IMO

That makes sense - whatever the jurisdiction.

The process only works if there is sufficient evidence enabling charges to be laid.
If nothing incriminating is found the 'suspect' is not charged with any offence and the investigators proceed to follow the trail of evidence.

For example CB has been questioned in cases without being charged - but there have been other cases when he moved on to being the 'in the dock' and subsequently jailed.
All dependent on either the quality of the evidence - or the lack of it.

The prosecution may be at the stage of charging CB- or they may be at the stage of releasing him without charge.
It is a waiting to see game.
My opinion

 

[frank-cole]

One thing I was dwelling on is that at that time of year the ground is going to be very solid and dry... I personally would discount him burying her unless he predug a grave... Fire would bring alot of attention would he really risk that knowing the sirens are pointing to alot of police attention... Water would be the quickest and easiest method of him disposing of a body.. so would it be a well .. the dam which is what I would lean too moo or the sea.
Just some thoughts I have on this case

Good point. “Fillet forensics” could be sea or maybe be a throw’off?!

Tho risking East especially with them blue lighting from Lagos seems risky. Staying near the coastline avoids it. Boca do Rio - quiet, West & familiar, but they scanned in 2018/2019 I think.
Like you said about ground - challenging to dig. Unless close to familiar residence a burial unlikely if opportunistic - spade, shovel etc. Maybe a well, 1 well, 1 drain, 1 gun.

IMO if they’ve split material & firearm they may be gearing up for a separate firearm charge (chain of custody) or perhaps an indicator of incoming extradition & candour a sign of the start of a handover.



.

 

[Davieson]

Yeah, the ‘patsy’ lines were self-serving & started by people trying to protect the reason for their income streams.
It’s interesting that out of thousands of tip-offs, leads & sightings, a German prosecution, never related to the case before comes out of absolutely nowhere & spends millions investigating.

I put that down to the suspect being German.
If the tip off had been about a Frenchman or a Spaniard, BKA wold not have been in the least bit interested

 

[tedtink]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>

So let's discuss doubts too. If you'd like to put them forward I'm sure other posters would oblige. In the meantime .........

"Mr Wolters said: "If you knew the evidence we had you would come to the same conclusion as I do but I can't give you details because we don't want the accused to know what we have on him - these are tactical considerations."
******

'In the interview I said that we have found new evidence in the last two years. However, there was nothing [that proves Brueckner's innocence] among them.
'Everything we have found confirms to us our working theory that we are not going in a senseless direction.
'We are happy the suspect is the man responsible and will continue working in this direction. Nothing we have found so far suggests he is not the man responsible.
********

Madeleine McCann: Public 'would reach same conclusion' on suspect

Prosecutor says if public "knew the evidence we had" they would think Madeleine McCann was killed.

www.bbc.co.uk

We didn't find Madeleine McCann's clothes fibres, prosecutor says

Hans Christian Wolters, the German prosecutor investigating Maddie's disappearance, sparked rumours of a breakthrough find when he spoke of new evidence during a TV interview this week.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Mex]

I put that down to the suspect being German.
If the tip off had been about a Frenchman or a Spaniard, BKA wold not have been in the least bit interested

CB is an arguido which cancels out the Portuguese Statute of Limitations in the MM case.
So it is possible that all the bases have been covered should it be necessary to try CB in Portugal.

On the other hand it could be something more mundane such as the assault on the Portuguese children in Messine.
They couldn't be too happy with the treatment the Portuguese witnesses received from the German judge. They are proud. So it could be that or any one of a variety of things and the options are there.
My opinion