Did not the accused person have the whole matter in his own hands?

VOA: special.2009.04.18

For instance, if you look at newspaper reports about murders, in cultures like the United States the report tends to emphasize the personal characteristics of the person accused of the murder.

例如在报纸上看到一宗谋杀宗，像美国这样的文化就会着重于报道,被指控为凶手的人的性格特点。

耶鲁公开课 - 心理学导论课程节选

But,if the accused opened the other door, there came forth from it a woman, chosen especially for the person.

VOA: special.2009.04.18

When a person was accused of a crime, his future would be judged in the public arena.

VOA: special.2009.04.18