Crossword Genius

Half-dead criminal provides justification (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defence

'justification' is the definition.
(I know that defence is a type of justification)

'half-dead criminal' is the wordplay.
'half' suggests halving the letters.
'criminal' becomes 'fence' (someone who handles stolen goods).
'dead' cut in half is 'de'.
'de'+'fence'='DEFENCE'

'provides' is the link.

(Other definitions for defence that I've seen before include "Protection from danger" , "A means of protecting from attack" , "Protection; justification" , "Purpose of armed forces" , "See 12" .)

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