I believe you are on the right track here.  We need to parse out the finer points of the legalisms involved, demand every term be carefully defined (what is the meaning of "is"), check, double-check, then appeal all procedural issues, discuss canon, civil, criminal, and international law, and continue to do so for as long as possible.  After all, what is at stake is the lifestyle of a Prince of the Church.  With such a matter of import, we must engage in any action to avoid any risk of a conclusion unfavorable to one of those selected by God Himself to lead the One True Church.