‘ Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, because he has broken down the altar of Baal, and because he has cut down the Asherah-image that was by it.” '
No doubt they had checked up first on the fact that it was not under Joash's orders. Then they demanded Gideon's death. He had committed a gross act of sacrilege. This was ironic for according to Israelite law it was they who should have been put to death (Deuteronomy 13:6-10).
This and what follows demonstrates that Joash was a leading authority in the town, sufficient to be able to stay the wrath of the townsfolk. That was why the Baal sanctuary had been on his lands. The final decision was his. The whole incident brings out how deeply immersed they all were in Baal worship.