Question

DANFORTH, conciliatory: You misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just. What is the reason given by DANFORTH for not pardoning the accused?

1) Because twelve people have already been hanged for the same crime
2) Because the accused are innocent
3) Because DANFORTH does not have the power to pardon
4) Because it is against the law

Answer 1

Danforth refuses to pardon the accused because it would be unjust, considering that twelve others have already been executed for the same crime, thereby seeking to maintain consistency in the application of justice.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason given by DANFORTH for not pardoning the accused is that twelve people have already been hanged for the same crime. He believes it would not be just to pardon those remaining when others have already faced execution for identical charges. Danforth's commitment to consistency and the appearance of justice keeps him from offering a pardon, even if there may be a moral or legal argument for doing so.

Answer 2

Danforth cannot pardon the accused because it would not be just, considering that twelve people had already been hanged for the same crime.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason given by Danforth for not pardoning the accused is because twelve people have already been hanged for the same crime. Danforth states that it would not be just to pardon the others when the executions of some have already been carried out. It is a matter of consistency in the administration of justice, as pardoning the remaining accused would implicitly suggest that the earlier executions were unjust, throwing the legitimacy of the court into question.