The defendant made charges (7)

I believe the answer is:

accused

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'the defendant' is the definition.
('accused' can be a synonym of 'defendant')

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for accused that I've seen before include "He who stands in the dock" , "Levelled a charge against" , "Defendant appearing on a criminal charge" , "Defendant in a criminal proceeding" , "Charged with a crime" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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