Contract killing

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Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier (1815-1891) - The Hired Assassins - P327 - The Wallace Collection

Vincent Coll leaving court NYWTS

Contract killing is a form of murder in which one party hires another party to kill a target individual or group of people. It involves an agreement between two or more parties in which one party agrees to kill the target for financial or other forms of compensation. Contract killing has been associated with organized crime, gang violence, and occasionally as a tool for political repression or espionage.

Overview

Contract killings are carried out by individuals known as hitmen or assassins, who are often connected to the criminal underworld. The motivations behind contract killings can vary widely but often include financial gain, the elimination of rivals, or the silencing of witnesses. Contract killings can be distinguished from other forms of murder by the existence of a contractual agreement between the party commissioning the murder and the party agreeing to carry it out.

History

The practice of contract killing is as old as history itself, with ancient examples found in the histories of the Roman Empire, where political figures would often hire assassins to eliminate rivals, and in feudal Japan, where ninjas were sometimes hired to kill enemies. In modern times, contract killing has been associated with the activities of organized crime groups such as the Mafia, drug cartels, and outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Legal Aspects

Contract killing is illegal in all jurisdictions around the world. It is typically prosecuted under laws pertaining to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and criminal enterprise. Convictions can result in long prison sentences, including life imprisonment or the death penalty in jurisdictions that retain capital punishment.

Notable Cases

Several notable cases of contract killing have captured public attention, highlighting the dangerous and clandestine nature of this crime. These cases often involve intricate plots and connections to larger criminal enterprises.

Prevention and Investigation

Law enforcement agencies use a variety of investigative techniques to prevent and solve contract killings. These can include undercover operations, surveillance, and the use of informants within criminal organizations. The secretive nature of contract killings makes them particularly challenging to investigate and prosecute.

In Popular Culture

Contract killing has been a popular theme in films, television shows, and literature, often depicted as a shadowy, intriguing world of crime and moral ambiguity. However, these portrayals can sometimes glamorize or trivialize the serious nature of the crime.