I didn't follow the thread to its completion, but I did catch bits and pieces. I thought the Dukester did apologize about the thread he initiated about the other fellow being "a bad guy." I mean, it was a tragic error of judgment on his part, but I thought, and I may be wrong, that the Dukester responded more than once that he made a horrible mistake.
I voted on the ban poll that I thought he should not be banned. I know firsthand what it is like to have your name drug in the mud. I don't think there is anything the Dukester could have written to make it better, although he did try. JMHO, FWIW!
JAM