The Trail of Socrates: Innocent or Guilty?

In Plato's Euthyphro the audience is told that the great thinker Socrates is being sued. He is being charged with corrupting the youth and introducing new gods. Now one may wonder whether or not these chargers are legitimate. In order to establish this the time period and events leading up to Socrates persecution must be examined. At this time the Peloponnesian War was taking place, which meant that the nation was in great stress. With all the men at war the people were dependant on the youth to be the driving force of their society. Amongst all this we have Socrates charged with corrupting the "precious" youth. Even though the charges may be utterly false, the fear of corruption has struck the society. Therefore, in this time of great peril and distress the paranoia of the people regarding their youth is just. Socrates just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whether or not the people were rational regarding the prosecution is a different matter. The people could have examined the matter and truly examined whether or not Socrates was corrupting their youth. Moreover, if Socrates was actually corrupting the youth the case still fails to stand firmly against criticism. People take discussions for themselves, and that even under the influence of someone else, they have the capability for self determination.This also stands true with regards to the youth of that time. Therefore, Socrates could not have fully corrupted the youth because they all have the capability for self determination. This argument is also valid in the terms of new gods. The people only had the gods to turn to in the time of distress and war. With their faith shaken the persecution of Socrates is understandable. However, again we can analyse the rationality of this charge. The fact that Socrates has introduced new gods should not worry people unless he pressurizes other to also believe  in the new god. Moreover, their belief in this god is truly up to them and not whether or not Socrates believes. As shown, the charges against Socrates are both just and irrational. Currently, I am undecided on whether or not this is a fair trail. Given the mental state of the people at the time one can understand these charges. However, on further examination one realizes that these are not legitimate charges and they can be refuted. I think that this is a case of the needs of the many overpowering the needs of the one.