Don’t judge others based on what you hear about them. There are always actions or circumstances influencing reactions or situations.
Assess people based on your personal interactions with them. But your assessment shouldn’t be on the basis of prejudice.
Don’t allow situations or pressure push you to reach a wrong conclusion on others, especially a friend. You could damage a good friendship irredeemably. Always search for a drop of goodness in others. Everybody has a good side.