Question

1) Are conspiring witnesses also liable for violating the prohibition of defamation? 
 
2) Why does a husband who defames his wife pay double compensation—namely one hundred silver pieces (twice the fifty silver pieces defined in the Torah as the bride-price for virgins)—whereas conspiring witnesses are punished only with what they sought to do to the person, and if they sought to impose a monetary payment, only an equal payment is imposed on them? Seemingly, in both cases the accusers spread slander about someone, except that they did not succeed; and nevertheless, in the case of defamation he pays double, while a conspiring witness pays only the principal.