I agree and I did think of that. 
Of course you can not always reply to everyones post when you become popular or "famous". It is just not practical nor physically possible. 
I completely accept that.
However, you can see if there is a general pattern of behaviour quite quickly. 
Does a person generally reply to "important" people more than "non-important" people?  Is there a good balance there?

I have not checked Mr Banfield´s posts myself so I can not give an opinion on that. I do not wish too either.
 
My intention is to merely suggest a method of determining if someone is genuine or not. Especially in this new environment of Steemit that we are all part of and wish to succeed. As money comes so to do scammers. 
We all know this. 
You would be surprised how easy it is to see if there is a pattern to someones behaviour. Police detectives and FBI use this method all the time.

There is also the factor of how someone reacts when they are being accused of something. 
Have you heard the phase from Shakespeare; "Thou dost protest too much"

This means that if someone is actually "guilty" and have been "found out", so to speak, ..they will give a long apology.  They will react and try to wash their "act" away using much information and long explanations. - 
In short,  they defend themselves too much. This is what Shakespeare meant . 

Liars always feel they have to justify themselves, honest  people don not. 

We all know this its just that we forget. The reason why is because we actually want to forgive people of their immoral behaviour. Most people are essentially "good" and as such "we" have an inherent need to believe others are good and that they will do the right thing. Im afraid psychopathic personalities take advantage of this "good nature" in "ordinary people. 
They know that they will be "forgiven" if they can convince you they are really really sorry. Why do you think abused women of narcissistic men keep going back to them? They "need"  to forgive them and to believe their abuses will become honest people. But it is not only women who are victims of the fake apologies of the narcissistic personality. Sadly it is impossible for such people will change. Period.

An honest reaction to making an honest mistake is always short. 
For example; "Oh shit, I never meant it like that. Im so Sorry". Simple as that.
Detectives know this also.
The truth is always answered simply because we merely react to what is already in our brains.
Lies are clever, lies  are "created" and therefore the brain needs more time and energy to "create" them. This is why a lie answer is always longer than a truthful answer. I hope that makes sense?

Normal people make mistakes. 
What defines us from people those whom have a psychopathic/narcissistic personality is the response to those "mistakes". Or to be more precise, the response to being accused of making a mistake or a crime.

Just some thoughts for you to consider if in the future you fined yourself having to decided on someone´s integrity. But perhaps you know all this already?

From your reaction to the whole sordid matter it tells me that you yourself have an inbuilt moral code that people should "do the right thing". 
When someone appears to "cross the line" (in your book) then you simply must react because you feel "outraged" that someone can "get away" with doing such a thing. 
This need for "justice" is actually built into all human-beings and is called the "conscience" of course. Or at least, part of the conscience condition.

However, you may be surprised to hear that the majority people would prefer to stay silent and "not get involved". This does not make them bad people, merely that they are victims of peer pressure. The fear of doing the wrong thing. 
I would not be surprised that, when you were in school or college, that you often defended others who were  bullied. If I am right then I can tell you why you did this. The answer is simple. It is written in your DNA. It is called "Survival DNA."  Perhaps it is a family trait that you defend those who are  "weaker". I merely speculate.
No psychopath or sociopath would react in the way that you did. So at least I know you are a normal person lol :)

In the end all we can do is decide for ourselves and live with the consequences of our choices. 
I suppose people will make their own minds about Mr Banfield and I surely everyone deserves a second chance. 

Needless to say I am glad to know there is someone like yourself here on the Steemit platform and I will continue to "follow" you as I have for some time now.

To finish. A little true story for you. 
In 1998 a famous comedian in the UK was given a big award. It was the equivalent to the Ocars but in the Uk.
in his speech he said. "I have been in show business for 40 years and I have learned one thing. One important thing that I believe is what makes someone successful in this business. An that is integrity. If you can fake that then you have cracked it" :)