Answer:

alibi

Answer	Crossword Clue
ALIBI	Acquittal ploy
ALIBI	Cover story?
ALIBI	Excuse

ALIBI	Make excuses for
ALIBI	Suspect's excuse
ALIBI	"The dog ate my homework?, e.g.
ALIBI	Ike's first name?
ALIBI	"Her ..." (1988 Selleck - Porizkova movie)
ALIBI	Cover story
ALIBI	Defense aid
ALIBI	Handy excuse

ALIBI	Legal claim
ALIBI	It may be airtight
ALIBI	Court explanation
ALIBI	Suspect's defense
ALIBI	Innocence evidence
ALIBI	Courtroom offering
ALIBI	Out
ALIBI	Out for the accused

ALIBI	Out in court
ALIBI	Proof of innocence
ALIBI	Accusation beater
ALIBI	Defendant's story
ALIBI	Out of sorts?
ALIBI	Court defense
ALIBI	Perp's cover
ALIBI	Legal defense

ALIBI	Proof of innocence, perhaps
ALIBI	Suspect's need
ALIBI	Easy out?
ALIBI	... Ike (excuse-making Ring Lardner character)
ALIBI	"Perfect murder" component
ALIBI	Possible proof of innocence
ALIBI	It means "elsewhere" in Latin
ALIBI	"I was asleep," for one

ALIBI	Alleged perp's story
ALIBI	Defensive story
ALIBI	It may be corroborated
ALIBI	Out of sorts
ALIBI	Court story