exculpate

transitive verb | \ ˈek-skəl-ˌpāt, ek-ˈskəl- \ | ex·cul·pate

1. : to clear from alleged fault or guilt as time passed, however, the…rule, which barred the admission of other persons' confessions that exculpated the accused, became the subject of increasing criticism —Lilly v. Virginia, 527 U.S. 116 (1999) — compare acquit, exonerate