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Comment by baud147258 | Hacker News Reader

Thinking some more on that case, in a similar situation (if I had a friend accused of a crime that I am trying to fight against), I don't know what I'd do. I most likely would still support my friend, so I might have been too harsh in my previous comment.

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Just because it needs to be said, supporting a friend or family member and holding them accountable for things they did are not mutually exclusive ideas. It is perhaps emotionally tricky when the problem is viewed as a he said/she said argument, but in this case there seems to be evidence bearing out the allegations at least in part.

Very well put. I wonder if the reason people try to support an accused friend by denying the allegations, is because alternative forms of support haven't occurred to them.

For example, if the accused continues to protest the accusation, a good friend might offer to help the accused bring the truth to light.

Or if the accused is clearly guilty, a good friend might offer to help the accused find appropriate ways to make restitution, and/or offer emotional/logistical support if the accused will be punished.

It could be mutually exclusive, if you think the expected punishment for being found guilty is unfair and disproportionate to the "crime".

Thank you for adding some nuance to my statement wit a good point. I'll have to keep that in mind (supporting a friend or family member and holding them accountable for things they did are not mutually exclusive ideas)

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