> I find it fascinating that well-meaning and seemingly quite intelligent people are so eager to exonerate the very-obviously-guilty

> I believe this phenomenon is also rooted in the persecution fantasies that many people entertain

Guilty conscience. People like that know they've done something, not necessarily criminal per se but at least antisocial, and that they deserve to be punished for it.

I tend to think they need to be hurt to get less neurotic and go back to making a positive contribution to society.