No, I have not exonerated him in my own mind. However, there is something in the human psyche (is that the right word?) that makes us secretly glory in the 'fall of the mighty'. Mind you some of this glorying is not secret at all, qv. the comments here. I am aware that Pell is a larger than life 'hate' figure in Australia and has been pursued by hostile media there for sometime. It would seem that  there is a campaign to 'get Cardinal Pell' partly on account of his perceived personality and partly 'to get at the Catholic Church' by landing such a 'big fish'. What I am saying is that he has been undergoing a trial by media and it is going to be difficult to discern whether this will influence the outcome.
The taking down of a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church might be too much of an irresistible temptation for a secular jury given the extent of the 'abuse' there and the hatred whipped up by the media. At least he will have his day in Court.