Story's told from 20 years ago are not proof of anything.
This is very true, and as you allude to the burden of proof is on the state (or prosecution).
It creates the dilemma of deciding to what degree we allow rampant speculation to be assumed as substantial prosecutorial evidence of a crime.
However, crimes are consistent with laws, and Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, President Trump signed it, therefore now making it law to release the files.
Yeah, it is not very convenient towards respecting any reasonable or responsible approach towards avoiding an abundance of rampant speculation that does not amount to evidence, but it is not going to go away, and it is now required by law.
It's a classic example of shooting yourself in the foot, and in retrospect, not even that could have been avoided under the conditions of the rampant speculation that already existed.
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At best, we might need to consider the idea of just letting it come out in respect for the law that was created.
People are going to do what people are going to do, which is what created the condition everything is currently in.
Some folks can use rampant speculation to achieve their goals in what may be just short of a witch hunt, make all of the connections they want to make, burn as many folks as they desire at the stake (figuratively speaking), and let those in charge of actually prosecuting any crimes, go on with what is required of them to different standards, and just take the slings and arrows that will come with doing that, and the lack of satisfaction it will provide others.
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I don't think that represents the most responsible course of action, however I think we have already screwed the pooch and are going to have to live with the consequences.
It's not going away, everyone and their grandmother has an excuse for whatever they either require or desire in an outcome, let the chips fall where they may, some folks may suffer more than they should, but that is currently what the law requires.
