Pire you have hit the nail on it's head.
"Let me tell you one thing, most of the people who demand harsh
punishment to a criminal tend to be criminal themselves. They demand
harsh punishment because their soul is dark, and they try to hide their
dark soul by pretending. You will never find Gandhi or Mandela asking
for harsh punishment; you find them asking for forgiveness and leniency."

Kiddo, even if you think from the girl's side you have nothing to lose. Because, if he was really guilty then the truth will come out.