Exonerated

/ɪɡˈzɑnəreɪtɪd/ verb

Definition

Officially declared innocent or freed from blame for a crime or wrongdoing.

Etymology

From Latin 'exonerare' (to unburden), combining 'ex-' (out) + 'onerare' (to burden, from 'onus' meaning burden). The metaphor is of removing a heavy burden of guilt.

Kelly Says

DNA evidence has exonerated hundreds of wrongly convicted people since 1989, creating a strange paradox: the same technology that helped convict innocent people is now their path to freedom.

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