[varina davis]

I think reporters routinely stick "allegedly" into just about everything, even when it isn't necessary -- to avoid possible litigation.

That's absolutely correct and woe to the reporter who forgets to do that. And it's not only to avoid litigation, it's also because in this country, everyone is innocent until PROVEN guilty -- commonly referred to as the presumption of innocence.

[cookiedough]

Actually, I think it's more to avoid libel suits.

With the rape example, it is safer to say a certain person is an alleged rapist, rather than calling him a rapist because of the huge potential for a libel suit. But to say a woman is "allegedly" raped is nonsense -- there is no libel connected with it.

The presumption of innocence technically applies only in a legal setting.