I have a question for Rabbi Hoffman, if there is a Rabbi Hoffman and if he is the one to whom the quote is attributed. (You never know who is actually posting.)
Why didn’t you talk to the laundry owners?
It’s amazing how this amateur investigation, supposedly conclusive, doesn’t include all the parties. Why, because you don’t bother to ask the gentiles?
Would this “investigation” be sufficient anywhere including any beth din?
For the other amateur legal scholars here, “dan l’kaf z’chus” is more closely analagous to “give the benefit of the doubt,” NOT “innocent until proven guilty.”
The standard of proof in a civil action is not and has never been “beyond a reasonable doubt” which is used in criminal cases. The standard in civil cases is “by a preponderance of the evidence.” which essentially means more likely than not.
The couple here were the plaintiffs and they failed to meet that standard. That’s why they lost.