Final answer:
Lionel Hutz aims to establish the defendant's innocence by not only challenging the guilt but also showcasing the defendant's integrity, similar to historical defenses that highlighted both the truth and the character of the accused.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lionel Hutz's intention to prove a character not only not guilty but also to underscore his innocence is reminiscent of historical legal defenses. As evidenced in LibreTexts, there are numerous accounts where lawyers have not only aimed to disprove guilt but also to establish the integrity of the defendant.
For instance, Andrew Hamilton's defense of John Peter Zenger set a precedent that a statement is not libelous if it can be proven truthful. Similarily, in showing selflessness and honesty, defenders aim to portray their clients as honorable, thereby making the notion of their culpability implausible. Often, a powerful defense consists not just of nullifying accusations, but also in bolstering the defendant's standing through the demonstration of their good character and actions consistent with the law and societal norms.