Was a marshal or colonel suspected of murder, according to reports? (8)
I believe the answer is:
mustered
'was a marshal' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'colonel suspected of murder according to reports?' is the wordplay.
'colonel suspected of murder' becomes 'mustard' (I've seen this in another clue).
'according to reports?' shows a homophone (sound like) (I've seen 'according to report' mean this).
'mustard' is a homophone of 'MUSTERED'.
'or' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mustered that I've seen before include "Marshalled" , "Brought together" , "Caused to assemble" , "Assembled, gathered together - say troops" .)