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Dictionary definition of “public service murder”

public service murder

n. the killing of a person who is perceived to be bad for a community or society. Subjects: English, Crime & Prisons, Law

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Citations: 1998 Mark Kriegel N.Y. Daily News (Apr. 15) “Bad Judgment On Mafia Big” p. 12: The former dean of the Brooklyn Law School sounded like an overworked detective who speaks of “public service murders” bad guys killing bad guys. 2001 [Apostate] Usenet: alt.atheism (May 17) “Re: Please define Homophobia”: It was a public service murder, yielding benefits to the local society, including the might-be victims. 2002 Marc Fisher Washington Post (Jan. 29) “Putting Justice To the Test, With Puzzling Results” p. B1: A Prince William County jury says Justin Michael Wolfe, the 20-year-old drug dealer who hired his high school buddy to assassinate his marijuana distributor, should die for his crime. The judge has not yet ruled. Prosecutors like to call this sort of killing a “public service murder.”

Posted 11 Apr 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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