For perspective, AS and ED's advice that they will support pilots is restricted to supporting that pilot when he/she has done something based on doing the best they can, with responsible use of resources (i.e. info gathering) and making a decision/taking a course of action based on the best info available to him/her.
Not defending anyone in particular, and ignoring the outcomes of some recent events for a second, if you don't follow the rules or take reasonable steps to get all the info relating to the problem, how can you expect support? Not knowing the rules is not a reasonable defence. Anywhere.
Could you defend someone who didn't follow the rules (that's the game we are in) when they had a choice? Like to see you try...