What is the difference between murder and assassination?

Answer by  romanguy (233)

A murder is the unlawful killing of another person. An assassination is a type of murder, but legally the same as a murder. Certain people like the president are protected by federal law that make their murder a federal crime, but if you assassinated your local mayor for instance, legally it just a murder

Answer by  sooz (644)

Assassination is the killing of a public figure, where murder applies to all other people. Murder also requires malice aforethought which means thinking about and planning the killing of a person with no regard for human life.

Answer by  xsut (943)

Usually assassinations are associated with someone of power and murder is just killing anyone in general. Essentially, they are both the same thing. Also, assassinations are more planned and usually are meant to cause a reaction from the populace.

Answer by  summerdae (408)

Honestly, Not really. I guess the only difference would be, assassination is something that is planned.Murder, often times can be, but assassination, is outright knowing that the criminal had intent on murdering someone. In all honesty though, both are murder, and both are punishable by law. Assassination, is no different from murder.