I've been reading this thread on and off for a while now and I can't hold it in any longer.

Shouldn't a person be innocent until proven guilty?

To me, it doesn't seem like there's enough proof to confirm WITHOUT A DOUBT either way, although there is more evidence against ZT than for him.

It seems to me that there's more information the exchanges have but aren't able to release just now and until that happens, it's not possible to decide one way or the other.

If he's guilty then hang him, but let's say that he's cleared of all crimes. What will those who are baying for blood do then?

Will some of the accusers then admit that they've no integrity and that their word should count for nothing forever more unless ZT agrees to forgive them?

I don't think a simple "Oh, I'm really, really, really sorry!" would cut it after all the things that have been said but I guess integrity is only something some of the accusers expect from the accused.

If he turns out to be a 17yr old CHILD, can you imagine what it must feel like to have the whole community that you've been working with, turn on you? You've gone and lost a friend's money ($40K), you've been instrumental in damaging the community you helped to build and you have no idea who to turn to for help. I'd be pretty scared.

Someone of a more mean spirited nature might call it child abuse but it would certainly be no less than hateful bullying.