This Article is From Jul 31, 2010

Scarlett case: Mother appears in court

Panaji: Almost three years after the murder of her daughter Scarlett Keeling in Goa, Fiona Mckeown appeared before a Goa court on Friday, to give her version of the events. (Watch video special)

In her long fight for justice, Mckeown has faced accusations of poor motherhood but she remained strong in court, continuing to blame the authorities for a shoddy investigation.

Even three years after her daughter Scarlett Keeling's death made international headlines, the desperate mother is still fighting for justice.

Appearing slightly nervous and a little distracted, she told the judge her side of the events leading up to the 15-year-old's death.

In her statement, she narrated all about her India visit and the incident. She told the court that she came to India in November 2007 with her 8 children to show them what a beautiful country India is.

Scarlett she said liked drawing, music and was a very outgoing person and had a wide circle of friends. She did not do drugs, Fiona clarified.

Fiona had gone holidaying to Gokarna when Scarlett died in Goa. She leant about Scarlett's death from Julio, a Goan Scarlett had befriended during the trip and was staying with.

Fiona didn't believe policemen when they told her Scarlett had drowned because her daughter was a good swimmer.

Pointing to a shoddy police investigation into her daughter's death Fiona said, "I found Scarlett's sandals and underwear at a little distance from where her body was found and handed it to the cops. They seemed shocked."

"I wrote three letters to the SP of Goa North and IGP of Anjuna because the police were trying to hide the truth," she added.

She also told the court that, "I wrote three letters to the SP of Goa North and IGP of Anjuna because the police were trying to hide the truth.''

The two accused in the case, Samson D'souza and Placido Carvalho are out on bail at the moment.

The needle of suspicion also points to a local politician's son, however , Fiona did not name him in court as was expected.

She later told media persons , ''Saying no politician, not under pressure.''

Fiona's deposition will further continue on Monday when the lawyers of the accused will cross examine her In Goa.

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