Sentence:  Then he was charged with killing some sheep and a steer on the run, and converting them to his own use, but <WSD>got off</WSD> mainly because there was a difference of opinion between the squatter and the other local J.P. concerning politics ... 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To escape serious or severe consequences; to receive only mild or no punishment (or injuries, etc) for something one has done or been accused of.