αὐτοὶ μὲν γὰρ οἱ διεφθαρμένοι τάχ᾽ ἂν λόγον ἔχοιεν βοηθοῦντες.
I don’t quite understand what motive would those who are themselves corrupted have to help Socrates.
Wouldn’t they be angry with him and back up Meletus’ & Anytus’ charge?
The idea is that they would be corrupted and be unaware of this corruption, so they wouldn’t realize what harm Socrates has done and might even think he has done them good, and so they themselves might have some reason to help him, but this would in no way apply to their relatives who would clearly see the corruption and have no reason to help him.
Thank you, modus. That definitely emphasizes the usage of τάχα + potential optative as expressing strong doubt/slim chance,
as oppose to the indicative with their relatives who would in no way – as you so brilliantly put it – have any motive to help him,
unless it is to tell the truth, that their sons/brothers/kins are not corrupted and have never been corrupted by Socrates.