It is all timing, media momentum, action-video evidence and the transient societal thirst for retribution - RR had the worst of all circumstances - and in a general (and twisted) sense a vast part of society seems to act as though the punishment (& continued exclusion) of RR serves as some sort indication that the issue has been addressed - sort of like a part of the culture wants to say "hey RR was punished ... so, matter addressed ... can we move on? this is an uncomfortable topic and we'd prefer not to have to get into messy stuff like this again" ...
maybe a bit cynical - but don't see this being terminal for Hardy - ugly & vile as sin - yes! ... but he plays on ...