Maddie parents' libel bid, 01 September 2012

Maddie parents' libel bid Daily Star By Jerry Lawton 1st September 2012 MADELEINE McCann's parents hope to win a £1million libel payout this month from the ex-police chief who claimed they lied about their daughter's disappearance. Any damages awarded to Kate and Gerry McCann will be spent on the global search for the youngster. A court hearing is due to start on September 13 in Lisbon. The McCanns' are still considering whether to appear to face Goncalo Amaral, 55, who wrote in his book The Truth Of The Lie that Madeleine was dead. The McCanns' lawyer Isabel Duarte said Kate and Gerry, both 44, of Rothley, Leics, were confident of victory. And their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "If they win the case every penny they receive in damages will go into the Madeleine Fund."

Gonçalo Amaral may have to pay 1.2million for incriminating the parents of Madeleine, 03 September 2012

Gonçalo Amaral may have to pay 1.2million for incriminating the parents of Madeleine Jornal do Algarve Monday, September 3rd, 2012 The parents of Madeleine McCann, the British girl who disappeared from Praia da Luz, in the municipality of Lagos, in 2007, expect to receive 1 million pounds (over 1.2 million euros) from the officer who was in charge of the investigation in the early months of the case and who subsequently published a book in which he stated that the couple know their daughter is dead and are suspected of having concealed the body. The information is from the British newspaper The Sun. Gonçalo Amaral, 55, was primarily in charge of investigating the disappearance of the child, who has not been seen since the evening of May 3, 2007, when she was staying with family at the Ocean Club. The case has not been clarified since then, and Amaral, now retired, published a book with his version to the case: according to "A Verdade da Mentira", released in 2008, Madeleine died accidentally through an overdose of sedatives, and there is evidence that their parents hid her body. "We hope that the family of Madeleine is compensated through this book that brought so much pain," said Isabel Duarte, a lawyer who defends the parents of the British girl, Kate and Gerry, at the Court of Lisbon. The trial is due to start on the 13th.

Compensation to the McCanns, 07 September 2012

Compensation to the McCanns Algarve Resident Updated: 07-Sep-2012 14:35:00 The lawyer who is to act on behalf of Gerry and Kate McCann believes that retired policeman Gonçalo Amaral will be forced to pay considerable compensation for the pain caused to the McCanns, following the publication of his book. Madeleine McCann disappeared whilst on holiday in Praia da Luz five years ago and it is alleged that Madeleine's parents may be awarded up to €1.2 million, following the claims made in Amaral's book The Truth of the Lie, published in 2008, where he makes damning assertions about the McCanns and their involvement in the girl's disappearance.

Hearing for 13 and 14 September postponed, 08 September 2012

Hearing for 13 and 14 September postponed Hasta que se sepa la Verdad Posted by Mercedes at 18:39 08 September 2012 A request has been made for the adjournment of the first session of the trial in the lawsuit filed by the McCanns against former PJ inspector Gonçalo Amaral. The request was made due to health reasons, relating to Gonçalo Amaral's lawyer, Dr. Santos de Oliveira. The trial will now begin the following week, on 20 and 21 of September. One of the first witnesses called by the McCanns will be the President of the Bar Association, Dr. Marinho e Pinto. The defense of the former inspector expectantly awaits his testimony, and with curiosity, particularly the direct knowledge that the President has about the alleged damage Gonçalo Amaral has caused to the couple.

Maddie McCann trial 'ruined our marriage', 09 September 2012

Maddie McCann trial 'ruined our marriage' Sunday Express By James Murray Sunday September 9,2012 The wife of former Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral today reveals how the libel action brought against him by Kate and Gerry McCann wrecked their 10-year marriage. The McCanns will begin the action in Lisbon on Thursday seeking £1million damages over claims about their missing daughter Madeleine. Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Express, Mr Amaral's wife Sofia, who is separated from her husband, said: "He is almost broke and the strain of all this legal action has made him ill and ended our marriage." Kate and Gerry have decided not to attend but Mr Amaral, 54, will be there for the four-day trial even though he does not have to give evidence. He insists he does not have a secret pot of "Maddie gold" from the publication of his book The Truth Of The Lie and will defend his claim in it that Madeleine could have died accidentally in the Praia da Luz apartment on the Algarve on May 3, 2007, aged three. Sofia added: "I am really worried about his health."

McCanns will miss cop's trial, 09 September 2012

McCanns will miss cop's trial Daily Star Sunday By Daily Star reporter 9th September 2012 THE parents of Madeleine McCann will avoid a showdown with a former police chief who wrongly claimed they lied about their daughter's disappearance. Kate and Gerry McCann are hoping to win a £1million libel payout from disgraced Goncalo Amaral, who they say has made their life hell. But the McCanns, both 44, are staying away from this week's trial in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. Mr Amaral, 55, is attending the four-day hearing, which is scheduled to start on Thursday. Kate and Gerry branded the ex-officer "poisonous" for claiming in a once-banned book that Maddie is dead and that they lied about her disappearance. Their daughter vanished in Praia da Luz, Portugal, five years ago, aged three. The McCanns’ lawyer Isabel Duarte said yesterday: "Kate and Gerry are not needed in Portugal for the trial." She said they were confident of victory, adding: "We reasonably expect compensation for the dreadful damages this book has brought the family." Any payout will be spent entirely on the continuing global search for Maddie, the couple said. Mr Amaral led the bungled investigation but was sacked for criticising British police. Kate wrote in her 2011 book Madeleine: "That man has caused us so much upset and anger."

Libel trial delayed until January, 10 September 2012

Libel trial delayed until January Twitter - Jerry Lawton   Jerry Lawton @JerryLawton Madeleine McCann's parents' £1m libel action against Portuguese ex-detective Goncalo Amaral - due to start Thursday - delayed until January Jerry Lawton @JerryLawton Provisional new date for McCann v Amaral libel hearing is January 24. Delay apparently due to Amaral's lawyer undergoing surgery

Trial that opposes McCanns and Gonçalo Amaral is suspended, 18 January 2013

Trial that opposes McCanns and Gonçalo Amaral is suspended TVI24 Decision related to negotiation attempt By: TVI24   | 18/01/2013 17:43 With many thanks to Astro for translation The trial that opposes the McCann couple and Gonçalo Amaral, in which Madeleine's parents demand compensation of 1.2 million euro over alleged defamation by the former PJ inspector, has been suspended due to an attempt to reach an extrajudicial agreement. A judicial source has told Lusa agency that the start of the trial, which was planned for the 24th and the 25th of this month at the 1st circuit of the Civil Court of Lisbon, "has been suspended because the parties are trying to reach an agreement". The judge's order granting the suspension was signed at the end of last week, which means that now a six-month term runs its course, after which, if there is no agreement between Gonçalo Amaral and the parents of the child that went missing in 2007, in the Algarve, an audience will be scheduled. The start of this trial has been postponed twice, the first one on the 9th of February of 2012. The judge then scheduled the start of the trial at the Palace of Justice for the 13th of September of the same year, with another three sessions on the agenda, but none took place due to Gonçalo Amaral's lawyer's unavailability, as he was admitted for a stomach examination under anesthesia. Under this action, which prompted the request for the seizure of Gonçalo Amaral's assets under an injuction, Kate and Gerry McCann further claim for the protection of rights, liberties and guarantees. Under a connected process, the 7th circuit of the Civil Court of Lisbon decided, in January 2010, to uphold the prohibition to sell the book "Maddie – The Truth of The Lie", by Gonçalo Amaral, and the vídeo with the same title, based on a documentar that was exhibited by TVI. The prohibition of the book and the video, which presents Gonçalo Amaral's theory of the involvement of Kate and Gerry McCann on their daughter's disappearance by hiding the cadaver, had been provisionally ordered on the 9th of September of 2009. On the 19th of October of 2010, the Appeals Court of Lisbon annulled the Civil Court's decision, after which the McCann couple appealed to the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ). In a decision dated March 18, 2011, the SCJ confirmed the Appeals Court's decision. Madeleine McCann disappeared on the 3rd of May of 2007, in an apartment at a tourist resort in Praia da Luz, where she was on vacation with her parents and two twin siblings. At the time of the disappearance, Gonçalo Amaral was the coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department of Portimão's Judiciary Police. Kate and Gerry McCann, who have always stated that the child was abducted, were made arguidos in September 2007. The process was archived due to a lack of evidence, in July 2008, although the Public Ministry admits reopening if new data about the disappearance of Madeleine emerges.

McCanns ask for extrajudicial settlement, 24 January 2013

McCanns ask for extrajudicial settlement TVmais They were the ones who took him to court for defamation and asked to suspend the judgement in order to negotiate. On the eve of the trial of Gonçalo Amaral, against whom they filed a complaint, the McCanns asked to negotiate. By: Hernâni Carvalho 24 January 2013, at 10:37 With thanks to Joana Morais for translation   It is not often the accusers ask to negotiate before a trial, but in this case it was so. tvmais found that, on the eve of Gonçalo Amaral's trial, the McCann's lawyers proposed a meeting in order to reach an extrajudicial [out of court] settlement. In court, Madeleine McCann's parents demanded from Gonçalo Amaral (see box*) compensation of 1.2 million euros for alleged defamation. Now it's them who propose an extrajudicial settlement. tvmais also learned the lawyers for the defendants (sic) have accepted a meeting to take place within the following 20 days. As all parties have agreed, the start of the trial, scheduled for 24th of this month at the 1st Civil Court of Lisbon, "has been suspended because the parties are trying to reach an agreement", said a judiciary to Lusa News agency. All witnesses have already been notified of the suspension of the hearing. Now follows a period of six months, after which, if there is no agreement, the hearing will be scheduled and the trial will start. Read the full story in this week's edition of tvmais, on news-stands now! -------------- Note: * 'see box' refers to an accompanying section in the paper edition ---------- With thanks to mariacpois.blogspot.co.uk for image ------------------ McCanns ask for extrajudicial settlement TVmais (paper edition) They were the ones who took him to court for defamation and asked to suspend the judgment in order to negotiate. On the eve of the trial of Gonçalo Amaral, against whom they filed a complaint, the McCanns asked to negotiate. By: Hernâni Carvalho 24 January 2013, at 10:37 With thanks to Joana Morais for translation It is not often the accusers ask to negotiate before a trial, but in this case it was so. TVmais found that, on the eve of Gonçalo Amaral's trial, the McCann couple's lawyers proposed a meeting in order to reach an extrajudicial settlement [out of court]. In court, Madeleine McCann's parents demanded from Gonçalo Amaral (see box) compensation of 1.2 million euro for alleged defamation. Now it's them who propose an extrajudicial settlement. TVmais also learned the lawyers for the defendants have accepted a meeting to take place within the following 20 days. As all parties have agreed, the start of the trial, scheduled for the 24th of this month at the 1st Civil Court of Lisbon, "has been suspended because the parties are trying to reach an agreement", said a judicial source to Lusa News agency. All witnesses have already been notified of the suspension of the hearing. Now follows a period of six months, after which, if there is no agreement, the hearing will be scheduled and the trial will start. "Unsuitable" This trial was supposed to have started twice and was postponed as many times. In this action Kate and Gerry McCann further claim for the protection of rights, liberties and guarantees and in order to secure the amount they claimed, the McCanns asked for the seizure of Gonçalo Amaral's assets. To understand how he interprets the step taken by the McCanns, we contacted Gonçalo Amaral, who told TVmais "the eve of every negotiation is the most unsuitable moment to speak". Until the close of this edition we were unable to talk with the McCann couple. Defendants The process is taking place at the 1st circuit of the Civil Court of Lisbon. Madeleine McCann's parents demand 1.2 million euro for alleged defamation. The defendants are Gonçalo Amaral, former coordinator of the Judiciary Police and author of the book "Maddie, The Truth of the Lie", the book publishers Guerra & Paz, Valentim de Carvalho who produced a documentary based on the book, and TVI, who have broadcast it. Book Unbanned With a legal proceeding made by the McCann couple, the prohibition of the book and documentary "What Lies beneath the Truth", which present Gonçalo Amaral's theory of the involvement of Kate and Gerry McCann in their daughter's disappearance and hiding her cadaver, was provisionally ordered on the 9th of September of 2009. However, the Appeals court and the Supreme Court of Justice had favourable decisions benefiting Gonçalo Amaral, as it is explained in the ruling of the Appeals Court of Lisbon (transit in rem judicatam on 22/11/2010), and in the decision of the Supreme Court (transit in rem judicatam on 13/09/2011) rejecting the appeal made by the McCanns. As we published at the time the courts decreed for the book trustee [Isabel Duarte] to return the books to Gonçalo Amaral and to the book publisher. And so it happened (26/04/2012). Box The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, from the apartment 5 of the Ocean Club, a tourist resort in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, where she was enjoying a holiday with her parents and twin siblings. At that time Gonçalo Amaral was the coordinator of the Department Criminal Investigation of the Judiciary Police of Portimão. Kate and Gerry McCann remained in Portugal until they were made ​​arguidos, in September of that same year. Then, they left for England with the twins. The process was eventually archived for lack of evidence in July 2008, although the Public Ministry admits the reopening of the case if new data (just like the Law states regarding any closed or archived process) about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann emerges.

Maddie: The McCanns and Gonçalo Amaral did not reach an agreement, 18 February 2013

Maddie: The McCanns and Gonçalo Amaral did not reach an agreement tvi24 The court will have to set a new date for the start of the trial. By: tvi24 / CP | 2013-02-18 18:11 With thanks to MCF for translation The parents of Madeleine McCann, the English girl who disappeared from the Algarve in 2007, and Gonçalo Amaral have not reached an out of court agreement in the civil case in which the ex–inspector of the PJ is accused of alleged defamation. A source for the defence told Lusa news agency that the "parties did not reach an agreement" and that a "reactivation" request has already been made to Lisbon's Civil Court 1ª, which will now have to decide on a new date for the start of the trial. The first court session had been planned for 24th January, during the previous week, the judge deferred the suspension of the hearing, in which Madeleine's parents are requesting compensation of 1.2 million euros for alleged defamation by the ex–inspector of the PJ. In this action, which led to the request for the freezing of Gonçalo Amaral's assets as a precautionary measure, Kate and Gerry McCann are also demanding the protection of their rights, liberty and guarantees. In a connected case, the 7th Lisbon Civil Court decided, in January 2010, to uphold the ban on the sale of the book "Maddie – The Truth of the Lie", written by Amaral, as well as the video of the same title, based upon a documentary shown on TVI The banning of the book and video presenting Amaral's thesis about the involvement of Kate and Gerry McCann in their daughter's disappearance as well the hiding of the body was temporarily decreed on 9th September 2009. On 19th October 2010 the Lisbon Court annulled the decision of the 7th Civil Court, after which the McCann couple appealed to the Court of Supreme Justice. On 18th March 2011 the Court of Supreme Justice upheld the decision of the Lisbon Court. Madeleine McCann disappeared on 3rd May 2007 from an apartment in the Praia da Luz resort, where she was on holiday with her parents and twin siblings. At the time of her disappearance, Gonçalo Amaral was the coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Portimão PJ. Kate and Gerry McCann, who have always claimed that their daughter was abducted, were made arguidos in September 2007. The case was archived for lack of evidence in July 2008, however the Public Ministry will allow a re-opening of the case if new information about the girl's disappearance arises. ----------------- Maddie's parents and Gonçalo Amaral fail to reach agreement Público Lusa 18/02/2013 - 18:45 The case will now go to trial. The parents of the English child who disappeared in 2007 from the Algarve are requesting compensation of 1.2 million euros for alleged defamation by the ex–inspector of the PJ. The parents of the English child became arguidos in the case of the disappearance of their daughter   [Text of article identical to tvi24 report above - provided by Lusa Agency]

McCanns vs Amaral trial to go ahead, 19 February 2013

McCanns vs Amaral trial to go ahead Algarve Daily News Created on Tuesday, 19 February 2013 01:06 Kate and Gerry McCann have failed to reach an out-of-court settlement or agreement in the civil case against Gonçalo Amaral, the former Police Inspector accused of defamation. The defence lawyer said today that as the parties have not reached any agreement the case should now be reactivated in the Civil Court of Lisbon which will have to schedule a new date for the start of the trial. The first hearing was scheduled for January 24th 2013 but a week before the trial was due to start the judge granted a breathing space in the hope that a settlement could be reached in the case where Madeleine's parents are claiming compensation of €1.2 million from Amaral for defamation. This action has already prompted a request for the seizure of Gonçalo Amaral's goods as a 'precautionary measure.' In a related case the Civil Court of Lisbon decided in January 2010 to maintain the ban on the book "Maddie - The Truth of the Lie", written by Gonçalo Amaral, and on a video with the same title based on a documentary broadcast on TVI. The ban of the book and the video, in which Gonçalo Amaral claims that Kate and Gerry McCann were involved in the disappearance of their daughter and in the concealment of her body, has been in place since September 9th 2009. Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, while holidaying in an apartment in a holiday village of Praia da Luz. At the time of her disappearance, Goncalo Amaral was the coordinator of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Judicial Police of Portimão and was in charge of the investigation. Kate and Gerry McCann have always claimed that the child was abducted but were made defendants in September 2007. The case was closed for lack of evidence in July 2008, although prosecutors say they will reopen the case if new facts emerge about the child's disappearance. Despite investigations by a dedicated team from Scotland Yard no new facts of significance have emerged. ------------------- Note: The following two paragraphs were amended, later the same day: 'In a related case the Civil Court of Lisbon decided in January 2010 to maintain the ban on the book "Maddie - The Truth of the Lie", written by Gonçalo Amaral, and on a video with the same title based on a documentary broadcast on TVI. The ban of the book and the video, in which Gonçalo Amaral claims that Kate and Gerry McCann were involved in the disappearance of their daughter and in the concealment of her body, has been in place since September 9th 2009.' To read: 'In a related case the Civil Court of Lisbon decided in January 2010 to maintain the ban on the book "Maddie - The Truth of the Lie", written by Gonçalo Amaral, and on a video with the same title based on a documentary broadcast on TVI. The ban on the book and the documentary was lifted on 18 October 2010 by the Tribunal de Relação de Lisboa as the deemed that his book only reflects the conclusions of the investigation up until he left the force. The ban of the book and the video, in which Gonçalo Amaral claims that Kate and Gerry McCann were involved in the disappearance of their daughter and in the concealment of her body, had been in place since September 9th 2009.'

McCanns and Amaral fail to reach settlement, 20 February 2013

McCanns and Amaral fail to reach settlement The Portugal News BY BRENDAN BEER · 20-02-2013 15:31:00 The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann and a former PJ police inspector have this week reportedly failed to reach agreement on an out-of-court settlement. The defence team of Gonçalo Amaral told Lusa News Agency that court proceedings are back on track after the two parties failed to agree terms. Kate and Gerry McCann sued Amaral for 1.2 million euros in damages, and the case was put on hold due to an apparent attempt in January by the McCanns to reach an out-of-court settlement. The case centres around the publication of a best-selling book by Amaral, The Truth of the Lie, which was later transformed into a television documentary shown on national television. It was reported last month that more than 1.2 million euros was made from Kate McCann's book about her missing daughter. "Income from the book has significantly improved the position", of the funds' accounts, its directors said this week, who added: "This will continue as a result of publication in other countries and the release of the paperback." Madeleine's Fund climbed to around 2.5 million euros in the immediate months after her disappearance in May 2007, but in 2009, Gerry McCann told The Portugal News, "We are in danger of running out of money by the end of the year." While the Fund has admitted it has scaled back following UK Prime Minister David Cameron's creation of Operation Grange, it revealed that it still pays for "a 24-hour, 7 day a week telephone line to receive and capture information from around the world which may assist the investigation while also supporting a small investigation team, including a Portuguese speaker to help with the above and with campaign activities."

New Portuguese cop squad hunt Madeleine McCann, 26 August 2013

New Portuguese cop squad hunt Madeleine McCann Daily Star A PORTUGUESE police team is to help with the Madeleine McCann investigation. By Jerry Lawton / Published 26th August 2013 Scotland Yard hope to quiz 38 people of interest. A police squad set up to carry out inquiries on the Brit officers' behalf in Portugal is due to start work within days. Madeleine vanished days before her fourth birthday from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007, while her parents dined with pals in a nearby tapas bar. The newly-appointed Portuguese officers will making inquiries, interview witnesses and arrest suspects for Brit police. Meanwhile disgraced detective Goncalo Amaral, who headed the original investigation, faces a libel hearing in Lisbon on September 9. He wrote a best-selling book suggesting Madeleine was dead and her parents covered it up. Doctors Kate and Gerry, both 45, are seeking £1million in damages from him. A source close to the McCanns said: "The new investigations and the high-profile libel hearing could re-energise the worldwide search for her."

Madeleine McCann detective faces court, 28 August 2013

Madeleine McCann detective faces court Daily Star THE detective who headed the original investigation to find Madeleine McCann faces court next week over a book he wrote claiming the youngster's parents covered up her death. By Daily Star Reporter / Published 28th August 2013 Portuguese Goncalo Amaral, 52, is being sued for £1million in libel damages by Kate and Gerry McCann, both 45. The civil case in Lisbon will be adjourned on September 13 and will then continue on September 19 and 20. Madeleine vanished just days before her fourth birthday from her family's holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.

Libel case to take place in September, 28 August 2013

Libel case to take place in September Twitter - Jerry Lawton Jerry Lawton @JerryLawton Madeleine McCann's parents' libel case against Goncalo Amaral due to take place in Lisbon on September 12/13 & 19/20, court says

Madeleine: fresh agony for McCanns, 01 September 2013

Madeleine: fresh agony for McCanns Sunday Express (paper edition)   TURN TO PAGE 9 ---------------- Madeleine: Fresh agony for Kate and Gerry McCann Sunday Express KATE and Gerry McCann face more agony next week when their libel action against a former Portuguese police chief comes to court in Lisbon. Published: Sun, September 1, 2013   The couple are seeking £1million in damages from Goncalo Amaral over allegations he made about the fate of their daughter Madeleine. The hearing could not come at a worse time, however, as Scotland Yard detectives begin work in the Algarve to try to solve the six-year-old ­mystery of Madeleine's disappearance. The Sunday Express understands officers have advised the couple not to attend the civil hearing. They believe Kate and Gerry's presence would provoke a media circus and could seriously damage their sensitive work on Portuguese soil. However, Mr Amaral is expected to attend and give interviews on the steps of the court to support his view that Madeleine died in apartment 5a of the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. He will say that under freedom of the press he has the right to air his views, especially as he was in a senior coordinating role early in the investigation. A family friend said: "He has spent months working on his case and is very confident he will win." Isabel Duarte, the McCanns' lawyer in Lisbon, said: "Kate and Gerry do not have to give evidence so they do not need to be here. I am confident of winning." She is seeking damages for Kate, Gerry and their twins Sean and Amelie, plus further damages for the harm caused to the search for Madeleine. It is expected some of the McCanns' family will give evidence at the trial to explain the impact Mr Amaral's allegations had on them and on the global hunt for the missing child. A source said: "Because of the sensitivity of the situation, police don't want the McCanns anywhere near the country because they fear it could turn into a media circus. They have faith in the Yard investigation and will do what the police feel is best. It will be bad enough having all the old allegations dragged up again and repeated. No doubt Mr Amaral will want to say his bit outside the court and it will all flare up again. It will not be helpful for the Yard." Heart specialist Gerry and former GP Kate, both 45, of Rothley, Leicestershire, have vowed never to give up the search for Madeleine, who would now be 10. Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said yesterday: "The court process in Portugal is in the hands of Kate and Gerry's lawyers and is purely a matter for them to proceed with."

Madeleine McCann's parents can't sue away the evidence against them, 02 September 2013

Madeleine McCann's parents can't sue away the evidence against them Allvoices By Chelsea Hoffman Sep 02, 2013 at 4:14 AM PDT [Sep 02, 2013 at 12:14 PM BST] Kate and Gerry can't avoid the evidence forever.. The disappearance of Madeleine McCann is the most high profile international disappearance to date -- but the evidence is overwhelming against the parents of the little girl. However, the UK is doing a bang-up job of protecting them to the point of allowing them to sue detectives in Portugal who declared them as suspects. Always concerned about getting money, Kate and Gerry McCann are suing Goncalo Amaral for a hefty sum over his claims that they may have murdered the girl (or were otherwise involved in her disappearance/death). It's an asinine lawsuit, to be clear, and officials are even encouraging the McCanns to avoid showing up in court -- avoid showing up in a trial that they have initiated. Goncalo Amaral famously made claims that Maddie McCann died in apartment 5A and along with other experts he made sure to produce enough evidence to back his claims up -- but Kate and Gerry didn't stay in Portugal and have notoriously been uncooperative with very basic elements in the investigation. Amaral is confident that he will be victorious in this lawsuit -- and hopefully he is. The evidence against Kate and Gerry McCann would be enough to lock them up in many other scenarios, but for some reason they are being coddled in the UK as the media pumps out sappy and borderline false reports to sway the public into believing this couple is innocent of wrongdoing. It's shameful and will only add to the time that will pass without Maddie's remains being located.