Crossword Genius

Judged, even if finally innocent (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thought

'judged' is the definition.
(thinking is a kind of judging)

'even if finally innocent' is the wordplay.
'even if' becomes 'though' (I've seen this before).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'innocent' is 't'.
'though'+'t'='THOUGHT'

(Other definitions for thought that I've seen before include "Pensee; consideration" , "Idea, concept" , "Idea coming to mind" , "Idea, opinion" , "Notion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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