I've been thinking on this for a while, because despite seeing red flags since trial two at least, I've been reluctant to let go of my image of TB as a reliable journalist and truthteller.
There are lots of reasons but the biggest is probably this: the case against Karen was so riddled with lies, misdirection, fabricated evidence & every other kind of deception & slimery known to humankind that I was desperate for just one news source I could rely on.
The gaslighting from institutions we are supposed to be able to trust was mindblowing: state cops, local cops, the DA, the ADAs, the judge (!), town officials, assorted first responders etc etc.
We couldn't even trust the testimony of a lot of witnesses who were actually professional and credible, eg the forensics folks, because evidence was tainted before it arrived in the lab.
I wasn't at all familiar with TB prior to the trials. I didn't look at any of his reporting until after I've gotten up to speed on the basics, but when I went through many of his blog posts and carefully checked his receipts, I concluded that yes he could be a total asshat, but I could trust his reporting.
When he started with character assassination of Karen, I initially blew it off, thinking he's wrong but we (FKR) can't agree on everything. I found myself making other excuses as it went on, while watching his streams less and less. By this time there were MANY alternatives offering more insightful legal analysis and better datanerd analyses.
But I stuck with my perception that he may act like a dick but still brings the receipts -- right up until the recording Karen thing blew up. In close succession I listened to Will lie like a rug on JFK and TB rage-denying a recording even existed on a stream with one of the Aussies. It was painfully clear they were both lying their asses off.
Now I'm just massively disappointed that I didn't see through him sooner and that he's not at all the person I thought he was. Oh, and angry. I'm goddamn angry. 😡
(ps sorry to go on & on)