Based on the president’s early formulations of standard fellow-traveling apologetics, he couldn’t say anything else.
That's right. Which is why the President spoke reflexively on this matter, as he does about so much else.
Not that such a standard has ever been applied to Obama, or will ever be, but the President has a duty in his role as a unique representative of all the American people to counsel respect for the rule of law and faith in our justice system; to speak calmly when intemperate passions might otherwise be inflamed by thoughtless words or ideological preening.
If Obama's object were to calm raw nerves and soothe tempers, he missed his opportunity. Yet, on the basis of his past words and deeds, I doubt his intentions were quite so salubrious.