When does it cross from murder to assassination? ?

Question

My friends and I were discussing this and we all came to agreement that it is considered an assassination when religious or political beliefs are involved and it's usually an important person. We looked it up in a dictionary and saw we were correct. What I was wondering is how "important" does an individual have to be to have a murder be considered an assassination? What are the circumstances that must surround the death? Can an assassination happen with only one person working alone? Please explain.

Answer 1

why bother when wikipedia has the answer

Assassination is the targeted killing of a high-profile person. An added distinction between assassination and other forms of killing is that the assassin (one who performs an assassination) usually has an ideological or political motivation, though many assassins (especially those not part of an organisation) also demonstrate insanity. Other motivations may be money (contract killing), revenge, or a military operation.

Answer 2

Pierre is on a great start, I was just discussing this same thing a few months ago w/ a friend..for example..kill a cop? One would get the death chamber..but steal an older woman's purse and she dies in the act from a heart attack? probobly a 1st degree felony at best.  If a person assasinated the Pope and the jury were a group of Catholics  what would be the verdict?  Again, on the same token, what if the jury were Athiesists( sp?)?. If a person turned his/her car too fast and ran over a child...vs a homeless person..would the sentence be the same?  If more than one person kills another..could it be called...terrorism?  Your question offers sooo many avenues for replies..all with different views and opinions. (a star for you!)

Answer 3

well, murder is if ya just didnt like the SOB,

but assasination is if someone didnt like the SOB's politics~!

Answer 4

In my humble opinion:

How "important" does an individual have to be to have a murder be considered an assassination?

Politics:  At least be a mayor or higher.  

Business: Manager, or VP or up.

Religion:  Priest or minister or up.

What are the circumstances that must surround the death?

The killer has to kill the victim publicly.  Else, what is the point?

Can an assassination happen with only one person working alone?

Sure!  After all, if you have too many people, it is no longer assassination or murder, but more like a gang war.  

Answer 5

it doesn't change from one to the other.  assassination is a type of murder.  a technique, or method.  doesn't have to be important at all.