I don't feel anything to discredit George on a baseless and unprovable allegation (with not so much as a therapist testifying on Casey's behalf--what, no therapy intervention needed?) was a valid reasonable doubt. In fact, it should have never been brought up in trial.
It angers me that all reasonable doubt points to him--and the only reason it does is because of what Jose did.
We can't let the guilty walk by condemning other people who are equally as innocent until proven guilty. George is not guilty here--there is no proof of what he did. Not a shred of proof. He was entitled to a day in court if his daughter wished to press charges. (Statute of limitations may have been an issue...I had some trouble reading that law. )
And I contend that a finding of reasonable doubt does not require any belief or proof in an alternative theory. Here is the jury instruction that pertains to reasonable doubt:
"PLEA OF NOT GUILTY; REASONABLE DOUBT; AND BURDEN OF PROOF
The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty. This means you must presume or believe the defendant is innocent. The presumption stays with the defendant as to each material allegation in the indictment through each stage of the trial unless it has been overcome by the evidence to the exclusion of and beyond a reasonable doubt.
To overcome the defendant's presumption of innocence, the State has the burden of proving the crime with which the defendant is charged was committed and the defendant is the person who committed the crime.
The defendant is not required to present evidence or prove anything.
Whenever the words "reasonable doubt" are used you must consider the following:
A reasonable doubt is not a mere possible doubt, a speculative, imaginary or forced doubt.
Such a doubt must not influence you to return a verdict of not guilty if you have an abiding conviction of guilt. On the other hand,
if, after carefully considering, comparing and weighing all the evidence, there is not an abiding conviction of guilt, or, if, having a conviction, it is one which is not stable but one which wavers and vacillates, then the charge is not proved beyond every reasonable doubt and you must find the defendant not guilty because the doubt is reasonable.
It is to the evidence introduced in this trial, and to it alone, that you are to look for that proof.
A reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant may arise from the evidence, conflict in the evidence or the lack of evidence.
If you have a reasonable doubt, you should find the defendant not guilty. If you have no reasonable doubt, you should find the defendant guilty.