Hired Killings in Intimate Partner

Abstract:

In respect to hired killings in intimate partner relationships, several aggravating factors can be discerned: (1) the murder is carefully planned; (2) it is a rational act with the deliberate intent to kill; (3) others are persuaded to and offered a reward to commit the actual killing; (4) the ploy of playing the role of the bereaved partner; (5) the primary offender’s deliberate lies to the police; and (6) the lack of remorse. Despite the emerging pattern regarding hired killings, the complexities of these premeditated murders should not be ignored. Diverse motives, including financial considerations and abusive relationships particularly in the case of female primary offenders, place a heavy burden on the criminal justice system to act fairly and justly. Murder is an intensely personal type of crime and regarded by some researchers as the most problematic of all criminal behaviors. Due to some highly publicized incidents in South...