An acquittal is a failure to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. That the legal system. It is not and never has been proof of innocence.
...but if you are found not guilty, you are (and must be) considered innocent.
It's why I think the Scottish "not proven" is a useful addition to the possible verdicts.
No. Throughout your life you are guilty of many many things and innocent of many many others. These are matters of history not legality. Courts are about proof beyond reasonable doubt and their verdicts dont ever alter what did or did not actually happen.
I dont have much sympathy with the accused in this case. It is alleged to have been some sort of gang bang with participants takings photos of the proceedings. If thats how they behaved then they deserve everything that has happened to them.
