Assassination Law and Legal Definition
Assassination is a killing of a prominent person for political or ideological reasons. Assassination dates back to the earliest forms of government, with the killing of Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. Some of the more recent well-known assassinations include those of Abraham Lincoln, President John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King.
There are various motivations for assassinations, including money, moral issues, political power, military purposes, and others. In the 20th century, the prevalence of assassins and their capabilities skyrocketed, and security measures such as armored cars or armored limousines and bulletproof vests came into popular use.