in a manner that credits Manson with being a paragon at all costs and that dismisses any possibility that there are legitimate victims whom the legal system is not adequately equipped to help.

First of all, Smithline recanted her allegations two years ago. That leaves a dozen others at least. Second, I should probably ask you to cite your source, but it doesn't change the fact that you are bent on understanding this

Smithline admitted that she made up the story at Wood's suggestion. So, who's lying now? Somebody is. Should we roll the dice?

Nobody you say? Insincere reading you say? "The DA reviewed sworn testimony of witnesses and claimants that contradicted the claims they made. Including Smithline (…)".

Nobody was proven to be lying, Chidder. That is not the reason why the charges were not filed, and that is an alarmingly insincere reading of this situation.

I give up. Have fun in Neverland.

Lying witness is not a technicailty. Lying accuser is also not a technicailty. It's not like someone made a mistake in the application and the case was dismissed.