In order to avoid any suggestion that an individual is being judged before a trial, AP Style states that you should not use a phrase such as “arrested for killing.” Instead the AP Stylebook says to use “arrested on a charge of killing.” For example,
- Wrong: Joe Smith, who was arrested for killing Steve Smith, was released on bail.
- Correct: Joe Smith, who was arrested on a charge of killing Steve Smith, was released on bail.
If a charge hasn’t been filed, “arrested on suspicion of,” or a similar phrase, shoulbe used.
Also see pages on guidelines related to using accused, allege, and indict.