Comment by etchalon
1 day ago
I'm not seeing anything in the post with any legal resolution or "proof" the accusations were false. Whatever case he had was settled out-of-court. It doesn't seem like the accusing parties were asked or agreed to take any action retracting their claims.
So, as observers, what we're left with is two people accusing someone of something and the accused saying they're innocent.
>as observers, what we're left with is two people accusing someone of something and the accused saying they're innocent.
This is the point though, isnt it. He's writing a retrospective about the impact of public condemnation and ostracization as a result of such proof-less, process-less accusations.
Neither the accusation nor the denial come with proof. This is not exactly about what should we do in this circumstance. Its about what peiple did fo in these circumstances.
You can doubt his innocence. But... and this is the crucial point... this post is not attempting to punish the accusers. So to me... normal rules apply. Assumption of good faith and honesty, to some extent, apply.
If I read the other side's story, then I'd probably read it from the same perspective.
That's ok... because we aren't hanging someone at the end of this conversation. If we are, different standards apply.
> I'm not seeing anything in the post with any legal resolution or "proof" the accusations were false.
You don't need to prove accusations of criminal conduct false. The onus is on the accusers to prove the allegations true.
> It doesn't seem like the accusing parties were asked or agreed to take any action retracting their claims.
In theory there are punitive measures for false accusations, in practice no one ever bothers with them.
This is not a courtroom. Not even a pseudo-court of public opinion.
There's a difference between listening to someone's story and assuming truthfulness... and joining a mob going after someone.
He's not naming his accusers or asking the reader to go after them.
If the accusers had evidence, they would have surely provided it to the defendants in the defamation case.
Why would they have?
I hereby accuse you of robbing a bank.
OK, now prove you didn’t.
https://pretty.direct/consentorder.pdf
That doesn't appear to involve the accusers at all - the consent order is against 4 signatories of the open letter, and merely states that they didn't have proof of the accusers claims?
Yes; that is correct. They are admitting they made an accusation without evidence or an investigation to support the claim. This is a civil matter and says absolutely nothing about the truth or otherwise of the claims made.
Arguably, the open letter was the most damaging (since it was the one who ostracize them from the scala community). And I guess he sued the signee who were in the same country (UK from what I understand). Suing people cross-country is a mightmare.
The closing remarks by the defendants seem to be what the parent comment is looking for.
It's not.
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