• SomeoneElse@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    No, but I have to say I’m surprised by the non-family members writing letters of character after he had been convicted of forcible rape. It’s one thing if it’s family I guess, or if the accused had been in the throes of addiction or similar at the time and had changed. But these are people who were working with him at the time he committed these crimes and they’re all testifying about him being such a good example of sobre living and a positive influence. Do they not feel betrayed by him? Do they not believe he did it? It’s strange.

    • Lemmitor@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I have to imagine it’s a very difficult thing to cope with; learning something like that about a very close friend. It has to really mess with you. And I can understand the human instinct to want to defend them regardless of your moral standards.

      I personally don’t think this goes to show any moral failing on their part. Or at worst, whatever moral failing may be present is mostly due in part to a natural human reaction to complex emotions better dealt with in therapy. As such, I think these two should be afforded a bit of leeway.