[elkfersupper]

One of the alleged perpetrators cooperated with police and testified against the other one for a crime that neither one of them apparently committed.

Not "apparently", and who do you think coerced that cooperation and why?

[Sherman Logan]

The dirty little secret of our "justice" system is that well over 90% of cases are resolved by plea bargains. Usually induced by promises of reduced sentences for cooperation, which by definition means you run a high risk of a much longer sentence if you go to trial.

Such a system is inherently corrupt, IMO, especially since the vast majority of the accused are unable to obtain competent legal help.

In a high-profile case such as this one, police and prosecutors are pressured to "close the case." Doing so with the actual perps is a lot less of a priority.