"My mistake was not being more sensitive to the victims in these particular cases" no that was not the mistake, the mistake was asking a child molester to be set loose to do it again and thinking it was ok because you knew the side of the family they wanted you to see.  Guy may have been a friend but was still a child molester turned in by his wife.  Supporting him is poor character on your part and dangerous.  The guy if set free would do it again. His victims will never be free of him it is sad he will someday walk free.