exculpation

They made habit and bad example almost a sufficient exculpation from crime.

The Lord-Advocate being sworn, in exculpation, he gave a distinct account of the transactions which he had had with the prisoner.

Perhaps there may be some little thing to say in exculpation.

What the arguments were that I resorted to in exculpation of my injustice, I no longer remember at this distance of time.

Fray Luiss experience of the Inquisition naturally led him to seek exculpation.