The other critique is that Pilate is too "sympathetic" towards Jesus. I didn't see that either. He doesn't want to be judging the case because he hates his job and he feels he's in a bind -- if he rules for Jesus, Ciaphas will start a revolt. If he rules for Ciaphas, he fears Jesus' people will. In either case, Caesar has already told him one more mistake and he's dead.

I thought the situation was - Pilate wanted him gone because the last thing he needed was a riled-up populace - but Jesus could not be arrested at Passover - so he was arrested on trumped-up charges that could be "plausibly denied" by both sides.