Journalists are in the business of telling the truth. Report what you see, you hear, and you know to be true. One notable exception is when it involves the justice system, at which point, everything is couched as accusation and allegation, even when the plain facts scream otherwise.

Margery Eagan  is the co-host of WGBH News'  Boston Public Radio .

Adam Reilly  is a reporter for WGBH News.

Dan Kennedy  is an associate professor at Northeastern University.

Dante Ramos  is a columnist at the Boston Globe.