"Not guilty," e.g. (4)

I believe the answer is:

plea

(Other definitions for plea that I've seen before include "Answer made by the accused to the charge" , "Urgent request" , "Appeal - with bargaining?" , "Humble request for help" , "Excuse; petition" .)

I've seen this clue in The Washington Post, the Universal, the King Feature Syndicate, the Newsday and The New York Times.

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