Conceding points: WHY ?: Defence or Prosecution: if we focus exclusively on the main clause in each cause, it is clear that 1) is ‘hostile’ to the defendant, and 2) is supportive of the defendant. The concessive ‘Although’ clause (in either position) concedes to the ‘judge and jury’ that alternative, possibly compromising and generally ‘opposing’ evidence has been heard [‘We have all heard how X did Y’, etc.] - but it is placed in ‘given’ position [as in ‘but that's nothing new’ ‘we all know that’ and ‘but I've got something better & stronger to counter that with...’], so that the main point - the point for which the subordinate clause provided enhancing ‘context’ - can complete the proposition. The ‘wave’ that we identified earlier peaks before it makes its resounding impact on the listener!