The answer is yes.

Please tell me you are writing this as a joke, he is not being "hated" like this was a minor scandal, he is being treated like the criminal he is, people like him don't deserve empathy because they themself don't have any. Do not defend the indefensible and if you really want to "understand" someone or see things from their point of view do it, but with the victims, they are the ones who needs lots of support and empathy.