Definitely. In historical non - fiction books as well, the 'accused' can be crucial. Consider books about the Salem witch trials. The women (and some men) who were accused of being witches were real people, and the events were true. These books explore the social, religious, and political climate that led to these false accusations, the lives of the accused, and the aftermath of the trials. So, the 'accused' in such books are an integral part of a true story.
Sure. There are books like 'The Central Park Five' which is about the wrongly accused in the Central Park jogger case. The 'accused' in this book are real people who were unjustly blamed for a crime they didn't commit, and the story is based on real events.
Yes, many true - crime books have the 'accused' as a central element. These books often detail the crimes committed, the investigations, and the trials of the accused. For example, 'Helter Skelter' about the Manson Family murders. The members of the Manson Family were the 'accused' and the book is based on the real - life horror that took place. It shows how the accused were involved in the crimes, their motives (if any), and what happened during the legal processes.