The unsigned affidavit was found under a radiator. (affidavit: sworn statement, sworn declaration) In it a driver offered an alibi for the apprentice accused of taking the blue stamp. (alibi: in this context elsewhere defense, claim of absence) The clerk refused to allege theft without proof. (allege: claim, assert, aver) The mark on the boy's sleeve was circumstantial evidence at best; ten people had leaned on the wet counter. (circumstantial: indirect, inferential) A witness could corroborate his account of the morning without knowing who had the stamp. (corroborate: confirm, substantiate, support)
Counsel requested a subpoena for the old dispatch book. (subpoena: in this context court summons, order to produce evidence) Its arrival might exculpate the apprentice. (exculpate: exonerate, absolve, vindicate) The chairman had the sense to acknowledge the limits of his authorization. (acknowledge: admit, recognize, concede; authorization: permission, approval, sanction) He could dismiss the complaint before the club, but he could neither indict nor acquit anyone in a court. (dismiss: reject, disregard, brush aside; indict: charge, formally accuse, bring charges against; acquit: clear, exonerate, exculpate) An angry letter threatened libel proceedings against the editor who had already printed a name. (libel: written defamation, defamatory publication)
The driver turned the dispatch book over to sign for its return. The missing stamp clung to the tacky varnish underneath. The editor wrote a retraction in time for the evening edition. (retraction: withdrawal, recantation, disavowal) Asked whether that would absolve him of blame, the clerk said it would correct the public record. (absolve: exonerate, exculpate, clear) An apology to the apprentice was a separate piece of work.