Your best mate is accused of a horrific crime. What's your response/action?

My best mate actually died suddenly this year, and I honestly think that's easier to deal with than it would be if he had been accused of something like this. The following is all theoretical, and based upon my effort to be a kind, compassionate person. If this were to actually happen, depending upon circumstances it may all go out the window -- but let's say there is a legitimate chance that my friend is innocent. In this situation, I think I would say, both to my friend and to anyone who asked about it, that this is obviously a terrible crime and a serious accusation. I would say that they'd been a friend and that I'd previously had no reason to believe that they'd done this, but that I couldn't say for certain that I hadn't also been deceived. I'd say that I would wait and see, and that I hoped the accusations were wrong; however, if they proved to be true, I would turn my back on him. I think I would try to support my friend until I couldn't, but it may not necessarily hang on a conviction. Things usually have to look pretty bad before they will indict on a case like this. As a teacher (in the US) I dealt with CPS (Child Protective Services) and abusers, and you almost have to catch someone in the act for them to do anything. It's not like someone calls CPS and they come take the kids that day. Long term SA can be even harder to prove. So in a case involving illegal media, lawyers may argue about which evidence is legally admissible, but it's a pretty safe bet that the evidence exists. Once that had been established, I'm out. I try to follow a spiritual path that includes forgiveness. I'm not spiritually advanced enough to offer total forgiveness, especially for a crime I find so repellent, but I like to believe I would make the attempt. If, after serving their sentence, that person had any hope to be in my life again, it would have to be in a highly-controlled way. You're not coming near my wife or kid. If you do, we're done. If I see you with a kid, I'm calling the cops and getting the kid's parents, and we're done. If you're not adhering to the conditions of your parole or probation, not complying with the offender registry, not seeking rehab or other treatment to ensure you don't cause any more harm, we're done. Basically I am being civil with you so that you don't relapse from sheer isolation (and in recognition that these people are usually also victims of abuse), but my friendship is highly conditional, and sadly won't ever be like it was. And of course, this is all contingent upon the friend *only* being caught with images. If they engaged in abusive conduct, then I don't see any way to allow that person in my life.