anomaly
deviation from what is normal
provocative
causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately
adamant
impossible to persuade, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision
vehement
expressing strong feelings, or shown by strong feelings or great energy or force
embellishment
the act of adding or changing details of a story to make it more interesting or exciting
accomplice
a person who helps another commit a crime
alibi
a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, especially a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place
recant
to announce in public that your past beliefs or statements were wrong and that you no longer agree with them
incriminating
making it seem that someone is guilty, especially of a crime
unprecedented
never having happened or existed in the past
punitive
intended as a punishment
peremptory
having the expectation to be obeyed without explanation; not open to appeal or challenge; final
vindication
the fact of proving that someone is not guilty, after other people have blamed them
condemned
someone who is going to be killed as a punishment for having committed a crime
affidavit
a written statement that someone makes after promising officially to tell the truth
incredulous
not wanting or not able to believe something, and usually showing this
botched
(of a task) carried out badly or carelessly
deposition
the process of giving sworn evidence
bureaucratic
overly concerned with procedure at the expense of efficiency or common sense
demurral
a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings
perilous
full of danger or risk
culpability
responsibility for a fault or wrong; blame
mitigating
having the effect of making something bad less severe, serious, or painful; lessening the gravity of an offense or mistake
imploring
making an honest or desperate appeal
contentious
causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial
stay of execution
a delay in carrying out a court order
vexed
problematic; annoyed, frustrated, or worried
systematically
according to a fixed plan or system; methodically
implicate
show (someone) to be involved in a crime
distraught
deeply upset and agitated