EDIT - ok Van didn't specifically say MJ is innocent. He said he worked with people who studied this carefully and those people, who he respects, are thoroughly convinced of MJ's innocence. To my mind, this is a distinction without a difference, particularly since this was all Van had to say on the accuracy of the accusations.
I was stunned that he said that, I was stunned the sub didn't discuss it. Multiple allegations, across decades, against a guy with a slew of mental health problems who openly discussed his desire to share a bed with young boys. Multiple civil trial settlements. Same story, same MO, repeated over and over.
I was surprised the sub didn't want to discuss it, and even more surprised Bill didn't counter Van's claim. I get that the whole mess is sordid, but it was a lengthy podcast segment, so I expected more discussion of the fairly lengthy evidence against this guy.
I know MJ was acquitted on his one criminal trial. OJ was acquitted too, and Cosby's conviction got overturned, and nobody every convicted Capone of murder. Criminal standards of guilt are high for a reason, that doesn't mean intelligent adults can't reach obvious conclusions when having a conversation.