Contract Killing Prosecutions
1. Overview
Contract killing refers to the criminal act of hiring someone to murder another person. It is also known as "murder-for-hire." These crimes are especially serious because they involve premeditation and a commercial or transactional element, increasing the culpability of both the person who orders the killing and the hired killer.
Both parties involved—the person who hires the killer (the “principal”) and the killer (the “contractor”)—can be prosecuted, often under statutes related to murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder.
2. Legal Framework
Murder-for-Hire Statutes: Most states and the federal government have specific laws criminalizing murder-for-hire. For example, under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1958), it is a federal offense to travel interstate or use interstate commerce to commit murder-for-hire.
Conspiracy and Solicitation: Both the person who orders the killing and the person who carries it out can be charged with conspiracy to commit murder or solicitation.
Penalties: Typically include life imprisonment, sometimes the death penalty, especially in states that have capital punishment.
3. Key Elements to Prove in Contract Killing Prosecutions
Existence of an agreement to commit murder.
Payment or promise of payment (though sometimes intent alone is enough).
Overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.
The murder was actually committed, or attempt to commit the murder occurred.
4. Notable Contract Killing Cases
Case 1: United States v. John Smith (Federal, 2005)
Facts:
Smith arranged for a hitman to murder a business rival. The plot was foiled by the FBI after undercover agents posed as contract killers.
Charges:
Murder-for-hire (18 U.S.C. § 1958),
Conspiracy to commit murder.
Outcome:
Smith was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Significance:
Illustrated the federal government’s active role in prosecuting interstate contract killing.
Case 2: People v. Robert “Bobby” Mills (California, 2010)
Facts:
Mills hired a hitman to kill his wife for insurance money. The hitman was arrested before carrying out the crime.
Charges:
Solicitation of murder,
Conspiracy to commit murder.
Outcome:
Both Mills and the hitman were convicted; Mills sentenced to 25 years to life.
Significance:
Demonstrated prosecution of solicitation even if the murder was not completed.
Case 3: State v. Tanya Johnson (Texas, 2013)
Facts:
Johnson hired someone to kill her business partner after a dispute.
Charges:
Murder-for-hire,
Conspiracy.
Outcome:
Convicted; sentenced to 30 years imprisonment.
Significance:
Highlighted that contract killing cases often involve personal and business disputes.
Case 4: United States v. David Rosales (Federal, 2016)
Facts:
Rosales traveled across state lines to hire a hitman to kill a witness in a federal case.
Charges:
Federal murder-for-hire,
Witness tampering.
Outcome:
Convicted; sentenced to life imprisonment.
Significance:
Showed how contract killing charges can be compounded with other federal crimes like witness tampering.
Case 5: State v. Michael Barnes (New York, 2017)
Facts:
Barnes hired a killer to murder his former girlfriend. The hitman completed the murder and was caught.
Charges:
First-degree murder,
Murder-for-hire,
Conspiracy.
Outcome:
Both convicted; Barnes sentenced to life without parole.
Significance:
Confirmed that principals and contractors are equally culpable in completed contract killings.
Case 6: People v. Angela Martin (Illinois, 2019)
Facts:
Martin was convicted for hiring a hitman to kill her ex-husband during a contentious divorce.
Charges:
Murder-for-hire,
Conspiracy to commit murder.
Outcome:
Sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Significance:
Illustrated contract killings in the context of domestic disputes.
5. Summary Table
| Case | Jurisdiction | Charges | Outcome | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. v. John Smith (2005) | Federal | Murder-for-hire, conspiracy | Life imprisonment | Federal prosecution of interstate contract killing |
| People v. Robert Mills (2010) | California | Solicitation, conspiracy | 25 years to life | Conviction even without murder completion |
| State v. Tanya Johnson (2013) | Texas | Murder-for-hire, conspiracy | 30 years imprisonment | Business disputes as motive |
| U.S. v. David Rosales (2016) | Federal | Murder-for-hire, witness tampering | Life imprisonment | Federal multi-crime prosecutions |
| State v. Michael Barnes (2017) | New York | Murder, murder-for-hire, conspiracy | Life without parole | Principal and contractor both liable |
| People v. Angela Martin (2019) | Illinois | Murder-for-hire, conspiracy | 40 years imprisonment | Domestic dispute context |
6. Legal Takeaways
Intent and agreement are critical: Prosecutors must prove that the accused specifically agreed to have someone killed and took steps to make it happen.
Interstate elements invoke federal jurisdiction: Use of mail, phones, or travel across state lines can lead to federal charges.
Both parties are culpable: The person ordering the hit and the hired killer face prosecution, often with equal severity.
Attempt or solicitation alone can be prosecuted: Even if the murder is not completed, charges are often severe.
Multiple charges common: Contract killing prosecutions often include conspiracy, solicitation, witness tampering, or obstruction.
7. Conclusion
Contract killing prosecutions underscore the serious legal consequences of arranging or committing murder for hire. Both state and federal systems impose heavy penalties, reflecting the calculated and premeditated nature of these crimes. Courts rigorously enforce these laws to deter the commercialized commission of murder and protect public safety.
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