If you follow hockey closely, it is unlikely that you managed to miss last week's news that Patrick Kane has been under investigation for sexually assaulting a woman in his Buffalo-area home. The response to the news by fans was swift. Many fiercely defended Kane, while others supported his unnamed accuser.1 Some, however, took what is perceived to be a neutral position and said that we should view Kane as "innocent until proven guilty."
I understand the impulse to not rush to judgment. Many have enjoyed watching Patrick Kane the hockey player -- idolized him, even -- and would like to believe that he is not the kind of person that would commit such a deplorable and appalling act.