to give someone the benefit of the doubt (two meanings)

[Ivo]

Would you tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentences?

If any of the material fats of the case are at variance with the probability of guilt, it will be the duty of you gentlemen to give the defendant the benefit of the doubt raised. (Th. Dreiser, “An American Tragedy”|)

to give someone the benefit of the doubt = 1. to regard someone as innocent until proven otherwise; lean toward a favorable view of someone

When I tried to tell her just how I myself regarded her friend, she checked me with an Episcopal gesture “We have to give people the benefit of the doubt”. ()P. H. Johnson, “An Avenue of Stone”)

I’ve been talking to Mrs. Smith. She thinks we ought to give the Minister the benefit of the doubt. (Gr. Greene, “The Comedians”)

Thank you for your efforts.

to give someone the benefit of the doubt = 2. to dispel the doubt; to take someone in his words

[Cerberus™]

I do not regard these senses as different; they are all slight variations of the same sense. The Oxford English Dictionary gives this:
"[to give] the benefit of the doubt: to give a verdict of Not Guilty where the evidence is conflicting; to assume his innocence rather than guilt; hence in wider use, to incline to the more favourable or kindly decision, estimate, or the like."
This is all just one meaning, with a bit of extension. Note that it is "to take someone at his word".

[Our Tort System]

To give somebody the benefit of the doubt is to think good of them/their actions, to think they acted in good faith if you will, because there's no solid evidence to the contrary at the moment.
I think in both your cases the meaning of the idiom remains the same.
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