He has been acquitted of the charge of theft.

The correct answer is D. exonerated.

To exonerate someone is to declare them free from guilt or blame. In the context of the question, the person has been accused of theft, but the court has found them not guilty. This means that they have been exonerated of the charge.

The other

options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the situation. Option A, punished, is incorrect because the person has not been found guilty of the crime. Option B, convicted, is incorrect because the person has been found not guilty of the crime. Option C, released, is incorrect because the person has not been imprisoned.

I hope this explanation is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.