I think that very last sentence (no intended pun

) is pertinent. I agree about that 'trial by media' is essentially wrong, and that very often critical information is excluded because it doesn't fit the narrative that sells said media, or details are either deliberately withheld or just not released, but I think there is a distinction here from Troy, for instance, because he did face a court, served a sentence and showed true contrition. That final point separates him from the likes of Marlon King, who obviously wouldn't be met with warm applause as a returning ex-player at half-time.
The suggestion with this young man is that there was a case to answer, even if it wasn't exactly as we were initially led to believe, there appeared to be something, that for some reason (maybe very good lawyers?) prevented justice, not just for the girl, but for society in general. When the public don't see what they perceive as justice, they can get a bit vitriolic and judgemental themselves, as there is an idea that the wrong message has been sent out, particularly in this case to the young.