FReepers are probably familiar with the classic motion picture “Twelve Angry Men” in which Henry Fonda is portrayed as a “heroic” holdout on a jury (despite several instances of his juror misconduct)
Every time I see it the question lingers — but what if the kid really did it?
Then the prosecution should have proved it. We really, really don't want to live in a country where you can be jailed or executed because someone thinks or wonders if you did something.
I read a law blog on this movie once. The majority of the lawyers posting thought that the perp was guilty. The reasons were very interesting. Sufficient to say that NO case is airtight or perfect.
As a matter of fact, this is now playing in Portland, Oregon as a stage play, with Richard "John Boy Walton" Thomas in the Henry Fonda role.