Do you believe the defendant’s arguments excuse their actions?

Many of the defendants of the Nuremberg trials pleaded their innocence with what became known as the “Nuremberg defense” . As the video in the link shows (11 minute mark), their arguments were sternly ejected by the prosecution. Do you believe the defendant’s arguments excuse their actions? Why or why not? What can the Nuremberg trials demonstrate about the relation between an individual’s moral conscience, and moral responsibility? Are autonomy (freedom) an reason inextricable components of ethical behavior? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vywGZzb9O4M