Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: BURKING
Definition: Burking is a crime where someone is killed by suffocating them, usually for the purpose of selling their body. This term comes from the Scottish murderers Burke and Hare, who in 1828 killed people in this way so that medical schools would buy the bodies. They did this by leaving few visible marks on the corpses, making them more valuable.
Definition: The act of murdering someone, usually by suffocation, with the intention of selling their body. This term originated from the infamous Scottish duo, Burke and Hare, who in 1828 killed people and sold their bodies to medical schools.
Example: John was burked by his roommate, who wanted to make money by selling his body to a medical school.
Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of burking as it involves the intentional killing of someone for the purpose of selling their body. The act of suffocation is also mentioned, which is a common method used in burking.