You are, sadly, quite correct. There will always be the cloud of doubt that hangs over these boys.
"I'm convinced that Nifong would prosecute his mother and grandmother if it would get him a few cheap headlines. What an utter @$$."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
To quote Raymond Donovan from memory :"Where do I get my reputation back."
I don't think I would call them "boys", or feel that sorry for them. Just like the alledged victim was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing, so were these men.
If they had more character they wouldn't be partying this hard and getting into trouble. There's a reason why one should not behave in that fashion.
I'm afraid they have earned the cloud that surrounds them. Perhaps they will have learned that now. Then again, perhaps not.