"It is equally important to note that George Pell has NOT been
found innocent."

The accused aren't 'found' innocent. They start off innocent and are, perhaps, found guilt. If they aren't found guilty they remain innocent. Pell was finally found to be not guilty therefore he remains innocent .

But note, this is the legal status. We are all 'innocent BEFORE THE LAW until proven guilty'.

So he's innocent before the law. But innocent before the public is another issue. To me, he was always innocent irrespective of the decisions. While recognising that for a time he was guilty before the law, I felt that was wrong. Had the 7 judges found against him I'd have still felt him innocent or more exactly not guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

So its therefore open to others to think the other way. That, to them, he's guilty. But they do have to acknowledge that legally he is innocent and legally he is not a paedophile and it is invalid to say that he has been proven to be one.

The law has ultimately spoken. That doesn't mean that others can't think the law wrong, just as I did up until today.

The more important issue is to ascertain how a legally innocent man ended up spending 404 days in gaol based on the uncorroborated word of one other. In a better society that would now be a high priority issue.

(as an aside, he spent 404 days in gaol based on an error in law. Often, if there's an error in your software or on the internet, you get a 404 error. Perhaps the deity has a sense of humour after all).

GrahamY,
"I'd love to see your attitude if you were wrongfully accused of something by a witness who appeared credible."

When Kavanaugh was being assailed it was asserted that the 'victim' had to be believed irrespective of collaboration.
Biden is now being accused of rape by a credible 'victim'. The same people who went after Kavanaugh are now suddenly all very concerned about due process for the accused.

From the judgement;

"It may be accepted that the Court of Appeal majority did not err in holding that A's evidence of the first incident did not contain discrepancies, or display inadequacies, of such a character as to require the jury to have entertained a doubt as to guilt."

The only doubt of guilt came from the testimony of 4 witnesses who were essentially asked to remember what occurred on a specific day over two decades ago without the imprint on their memories of a perderist priest thrusting his genitalia in their faces.

The inimitable fox.

Personally, I visit this site for entertainment.
I find the comment here from similar visitors enlightening at times, and other times the opposite. You fit there.

I'm glad you've realised life is too short to be offended by it in the long run.

It's actually safer in the deep ocean. Most sharks won't eat you. :-)

Dan

Hi Dan.

Thank You.

Good advice.

Now back to the topic.

Our Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said - "I have no
comment about today's High Court decision. But I do
have a message to every single victim and survivor
of child sexual abuse:

I see you

I hear you

I believe you."

David Marr has warned about the rage that will now follow
from Pell's supporters. Marr says it will be a "f$$ging opera."

Interesting times ahead.

Someone has pointed out on the web that an interesting
point to note in this case is that every court who heard
the victim give evidence convicted Pell.

It is important to remember that the High Court has found
there was not enough evidence to convict. It did not find
Pell innocent.

An essential question that someone else asked - "What is
the point of the jury system?"

BTW: Pell is now at the Carmelite Monastery in Kew.
An eastern suburb of Melbourne.

I'm very familiar with that monastery. Family members
used to attend Sunday Mass there. Beautiful chapel
and grounds.

Those dimwit journalists scrambling in a tight pack around Pell should be charged with breaching social distancing !

Opinion,

"I am sure the Roman Catholic community will embrace him and welcome his return with open arms".

Not only the Roman Catholic community but other Catholic communities as well, why do you single out the Catholic community in Rome?