If the prime suspect dies - is there a court case? JFK

[Tammuz]

In the USA is there a hearing or a court case if the prime suspect dies before they go to court?
What is to prevent a murderer killing an innocent person to avoid court?

[TomNickell]

1. Coroner's inquest

If the accused is dead, there is no real way to have a trial. It's an adversary process; you need a serious defense.

I don't see much point in killing an -innocent- person. That just raises more questions. It's pretty standard practice to kill a -guilty- one, though. If you're the Mafia. Hire a hit man, then kill him so he can't say anything.

In the case of a suspicious death there would normally be some kind of hearing to specify a cause of death. Homicide, suicide, accident.

Wasn't much of a question in JFK's case--brain was blown out.