Pardoned and allowed to go free (7)
I believe the answer is:
excused
'pardoned' is the definition.
('excuse' can be a synonym of 'pardon')
'allowed to go free' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'free' could be 'excuse' (excusing is a kind of freeing) and 'excuse' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'd' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for excused that I've seen before include "Exonerated" , "Let off (a duty)" , "Given permission to leave, or pardoned" , "Overlooked offence or released from duty" , "Granted exemption" .)