I recently read a woman paid an undercover cop posing as an assassin 400 US dollars to kill a woman whose picture was posted in her boyfriend's MySpace. The woman who paid the cop promised him 100 US dollars more after the job had been done.
So, in the following fictional scenario, is there a crime committed?:
If John Doe were to beat a man up that presented himself as an assassin but happened to be an undercover cop. Would John Doe be protected from prosecution because he figured he would single-handedly take to justice an assassin and to do so he would have to beat him up?
I do not endorse violence towards honest cops, law abiding citizens and animals. I am against the death penalty.
2006-09-17 19:35:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Update
No, I am not planning on getting rid of anybody. I thank you all for your answers. I find them very interesting. I have a follow up for one of you, how do you trust a man that offers to "eliminate" another human when they tell you they are really undercover cops? Do you settle for seeing his badge?
2006-09-18 02:16:43 · update #1
Yes, a crime has been committed. The crime is assault.
A person cannot physically harm another person unless it is in self-defense. A police officer can use reasonable force to effect an arrest, but a citizen cannot. Unless the officer posing as an assassin attempted to attack John Doe, then John Doe cannot claim self defense.
If John Doe has information on a possible assassin, he should contact the police and turn over any information he has. To attempt to take the assassin into custody himself would be stupid, dangerous, and, in this case, criminal.
2006-09-17 19:43:51 · answer #1 · answered by RJ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, for the myspace story, she was supposed to pay $500 up front and $500 when the job was done. When she met with the Undercover Officer, she coughed up only $400.
For your scenario...what John doe would do to seek justice on the "would be" assassin/Undercover Officer would be considered vigilante justice and that would be considered illegal. The prosecution would then find every loop hole to punish the vigilante to set the example of John Doe. Including assault on a Police Officer....
2006-09-18 02:45:45 · answer #2 · answered by Gothic Martha™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Procuring any persons services to committ murder is a crime - regardless of whether or not their is an undercover cop involved. Entrapment, which I think you are alluding to, is only entrapment when the undercover cop actually suggests or encourages the person to commit the offence. If a person, under their own volition, wishes to try and committ an offence to an undercover cop, then they are in trouble and acting against the law.
Beating up an 'assassin' is assault, regardless if he/she is an assassin or not. You cannot commit assault on a criminal or a cop (no matter how much one may wish to bash a criminal, esp rapists and molesters).
2006-09-18 02:59:22 · answer #3 · answered by methamphetamine_symposium 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If John Doe reasonably supposes that he is in mortal danger, there is no crime in defending himself to the extent reasonably necessary, whether or not the assailant is an officer (unless the assailant identifies himself as such -- then you have a whole 'nother story). What is "reasonable" depends on the totality of the circumstances, of course.
2006-09-18 02:48:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
planning for someone to dissappear? :)
in the first scenario, yes. i watch 'cops' and the like from time to time and they have done multiple stings where someone contacted an assasin who is really an undercover cop. once money is exchanged the crime has been committed and they arrest the person.
the second one is just assault. doesnt matter who he is presenting himself as, unless they are attacking him.
2006-09-18 02:47:03 · answer #5 · answered by ThE_HooLiGaN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it would be a crime and that John Doe could be in a lot of trouble.
2006-09-18 03:53:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anne M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
under cover agents are under cover for a specific purpose usually assigned by the state.....getting info is the 1st and foremost target in such operations and cover ups....their id is also concealed for security purpose.....but as an under cover agent even in fiction why should he agree to assasinate.....why shouldn't he get rid of the lady paying him by handing her over from the other door....under cover does no mean with out cover.
2006-09-18 02:41:42 · answer #7 · answered by uknownotlove 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
J D got no right to beat up anyone except his own meat and other consenting adults meat.
2006-09-18 03:26:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Intent to commit bodily harm or murder.
2006-09-18 16:24:27 · answer #9 · answered by mitch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋